Fuel Efficient Driving Techniques

[Kohks]

For those drivers out there wanting a more fuel efficient drive, check out the driving techniques in the website :

 

www.cleanmpg.com

 

it gave an insight on how the previous winner driving an automatic Sonata during the Shell Challenge was able to achieve 30+km/litre. He probably had used some of the techniques described in the website.

 

Please ignore some of the extreme techniques described such as switching off the engine, it is dangerous!!

[Russ]

I use some of the techniques and that is how I consistently get 14.5 km/l from my Subaru Legacy 2.0i Auto. I used to get 16.5-17 km/l from my Corolla G9 1.6 Auto.

 

From the type driving I observe on the roads, most drivers in Singapore have no hope of achieving anything like that, not to mention hypermiling at 25 km/l

[Kohks]

Wow, that's very good for a 2.0i Auto car. That's about the same figure i got for my Honda City before i started to try some of the techniques.

 

Right now i am getting about 17km/litre. This was achieved by several methods and set-up :

 

1. higher tyre pressure

2. travel at 60 to 80km/h depending on road conditions and time constraint

3. Off the air-con in the morning when it is still cool.

4. Park the car under the sun as far as possible before i drive.

5. coast to stops.

6. maintain momentum during turning, depends on road conditions.

 

Currently I am trying out pulse and glide method. i am still trying to get a feel of it. Another method i am trying out now is drafting a bus. i don't like to draft lorries and trailers as the danger of getting hit from a stone is so much higher.

 

what other methods have you tried?

[Watwheels]

Unless u drive on an empty road with little or no traffic. Sg roads u'll get horn at and middle fingered for sure.

 

Anyway u only provided the website and not the direct link.

[Kohks]

right now, everybody is talking about caring for the environment, all the more we should do something to reduce our share of CO2 emission and yet still drive. Of course take bus or MRT will be better but that's another issue.

 

Actually Singapore drivers do not horn or show middle finger if you drive on the left most lane at 60 to 70km/h. Even if it is on the right lane, they are still quite patient. Majority are actually quite gracious drivers.

 

Here are two links that describe the techniques used and also some test data:

 

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/articles/t-...ch-ii-1306.html

 

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/articles/t-...rmile-1510.html

 

 

here is the link that describe how to effectively use your aircon to maximise fuel efficiency :

 

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/fuel-econom...oning-5199.html

 

 

this link showed the results of the forumers effort in increasing thier fuel efficiency.

 

http://www.cleanmpg.com/cmps_index.php?page=garage

 

 

these people can achieve efficiencies close or better than a hybrid car (driven without hypermiling). isn't it great or what?

[Vit4wd]

I have read through teh articles.

 

In summary - 50km/l to 65km/h is the most fuel efficient speed.

 

Above that, the drag increases fuel consumption.

[Lucien]

Car is meant to be driven.

 

Drive like snails beats the purpose of having a car. Might as well take TAXI. Faster reach and SOOOOOOO much cheaper than owning car.

 

Just drive like there is no tomolo lar.

[Sony]

No... researches and experimentation shows that different car have different cruising

speed. So have this articules prove there and then that 50 to 60km/h is the most efficient way to drive?

[Wanderer]

For a moment, I tot u mentioned 50km/l to 65km/l is the most fuel efficient!

[Karebu]

second that.

 

fuel efficiency goes up when you are not paranoid.

[Lucien]

Not really driving at these speeds will help.

 

Improve aero dynamics or should i say all cars differ in aero dynamics.

Bad will increase drag

Drag = FC bad

Improve Drag and FC will be good.

 

Tyres also play a part, BIG HEAVY RIMS will give u BAD FC. kekeke.

 

All in all, my conclusion to everyone.

STOP being PARANOID about FC and just drive.

Sure u can save some $, but how much $$ can u really save!?

Is it really WORTH?!?!

[Kohks]

If you want to travel faster than 65km/h and still conserve petrol, one way would be to draft(or surf beside) a large frontal area vehicle (ie bus) travelling faster than 65km/h. But the chance to find such a vehicle would be slim.

 

Did you read about the rest of the techniques?

 

They describe a method which they called it Pulse and Glide. I wonder if it is effective for non-hybrid vehicles. from their test it looks more effective than just simply travelling constantly at 65km/h.

 

I am trying out now but can't seem to "feel" the technique.

[Vit4wd]

I usually release eth acceleratoe when I spot a red light in front, or when I see heavy traffic in front. I uaully glide my car to a stop, and hardly work my brakes hard.

 

I changed the front brake pads for my last car only at its 4 1/2th year. Rear brake pads unchanged from new.

 

My tyre pressure is 240KPa (pump when tyre is cold)

[Kohks]

All the results in the tests as stated in the website is from the car on-board fuel efficiency gauge.

 

if your car got one, you can test out what is your car best fuel efficient speed. of course you have to make sure each speed condition is consistent with the rest. Afterwhich by plotting fuel efficiency Vs speed, you should get a pretty good idea what speed is best for your car.

 

I don't have a on-board fuel effciciency gauge. If i had one, it will be so much easier for me to find out the best speed for my car.

[Kohks]

change your brake pads only after 4 1/2 year ??? That's great isn't it?

 

my previous car, Honda Civic, HondaKah changed mine after only 40,000km. This is when my braking style is similarly to yours. Next time i will want to check for myself first before letting the AD change the brake pads.

 

Also from the website, some of the drives were conducted using tyre pressure at 47psi. my eyes nearly pop out.

 

I pump my tyres to about 280Kpa or about 40psi. Imagine 47psi !! Even at 280KPa, some motorist would have call me siow !! As this is definitely not recommended for those who drives and corner at higher speed. AT these tyre pressure i take care not to drive too fast.

[Mage]

gosh ... another p***y driver.. No wonder average road speeds have been decreasing causing more ERP to be implemented..

 

[Kohks]

of course, $$$ is not an issues for most singapore drivers.

 

But being concern about FC, we can achieve so many things, ie $$$, CO2 emission, environmental issues, prolong global oil resources, buy time for the world to find an alternative to petrol, etc...

[Kohks]

How can the average speed be reduce when we travel on the left lane meant for slow vehicles?

 

The faster guys still have the centre and right lane for faster travel.