http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id...d8-dbd402a403aaChanging behaviour can help save gas
Ann Job, The Associated Press
With gasoline prices going up and staying up based on factors that aren't always related to supply and demand, more drivers are looking for ways to get the most out of every litre of fuel.
But they may not like what experts recommend: Change your behaviour.
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From keeping a car well-maintained to driving at a more controlled pace, you can make a difference on the kind of mileage you get.
Photograph by : Peter Redman/National Post
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AAAAFont: "There is a direct correlation between fuel economy and the driver's behaviour and vehicle care," said Stephen Hunter, a hybrid vehicle engineer for Ford.
From keeping a car well-maintained to driving at a more controlled pace, motorists can have a noticeable impact on the kind of mileage they get. According to Eric Kaufman, engineering manager for fuel economy and drive quality at General Motors, motorists need to look at vehicles, as well as driving, the way experts do: in terms of energy consumption.
A careful, "fuel-conscious" driver of a traditional gas-powered vehicle might be able to save a considerable amount of energy -- "as much as a tank of gas every other month," Kaufman said.
Expert tips for improving fuel economy start with the obvious:
- Plan trips and driving routes to avoid traffic congestion. Backed-up traffic and redundant trips cause motorists to be on the road longer, burning more fuel.
- Avoid excessive idling. "Warming the car up before departure, or idling for more than 30 seconds is a waste of fuel," Hunter said. "Modern cars actually reach operating temperature faster if you start the car and leave immediately."
- Accelerate evenly and drive smoothly so you keep abreast of traffic but aren't braking frequently. "Any time you hit your brakes, you're throwing energy away" in a traditional gas-powered vehicle, Kaufman said.
Note: Gas-electric hybrids with regenerative braking are different. They recapture braking energy and store it on-board for use later, so hybrid drivers should feel comfortable braking at a steady rate.
- Use cruise control when traffic conditions allow because it "will smooth out the transitions" and help maintain an even speed, Kaufman said.
- Look ahead and drive strategically. "Avoid big changes in speed, such as jumping on the gas to pass two cars, just to get caught in traffic again," Hunter said. "These won't save you much travel time (and) will drain the gas tank faster."
- Don't carry more than you need. For example, rooftop cargo carriers, no matter how aerodynamic, will detract from fuel mileage by creating drag. Get rid of things you don't need for your trip, such as sports equipment stored in the trunk. Kaufman estimates there's a "two-per-cent penalty" in fuel economy for every extra 45 kilograms of cargo and people in a vehicle.
- Keep your vehicle properly maintained. This includes keeping the air filter clean, getting regular oil changes and, especially, routinely checking to ensure tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires can tax fuel economy by as much as 10 per cent, Kaufman said. And according to AutoZone, a parts store, a new oxygen sensor alone can improve fuel economy in an older car by up to 15 per cent.
- People driving pickup trucks might consider adding a tonneau cover over the pickup bed in back. A hard tonneau can lessen the drag from air being buffeted into and around the open bed, Kaufman said.