Saving on fuel
Each generation wastes a little more of the future with greed and lust for riches. Don Marquis
Saving fuel is not only good for our pockets (especially with the cost soaring and likely to keep doing so) but also our health (think hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and photochemical smog) the weather, and the environment (vehicle emissions are the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases).
- Don’t waste money on ‘fuel saving’ additives or devices. They don’t work. Of all the alleged fuel saving additives tested in the past 30 years, none improved fuel consumption. Some of the expensive engine modifications gave slight improvements but also increased exhaust fumes. Some devices, such as those aimed at changing driving habits (changing gear or accelerating at the right time for example) give some savings but nowhere near enough to recoup their cost in any sort of reasonable time. Many devices reduce an engine’s horsepower or claim to burn fuel more efficiently but considering most engines already burn 99% of the fuel there is not much room for improvement.
- Automatic transmissions use about 10% more fuel than manuals (especially in heavy traffic). Roof racks, sun visors, bull bars, and any other vehicle attachment increases wind resistance and fuel consumption.
- Air conditioners increase fuel consumption by about 10%.
- Driving smoothly, accelerating and breaking gently uses less fuel.
- Reduced speed uses less fuel.
- Everyone is in a hurry and many drivers try to intimidate others into speeding up but that does no-one any good so resist these bullies.
- Cutting out unnecessary trips saves time as well as fuel. If you have to run errands, visit destinations close together in the one trip so that you don’t have to make several trips to the same vicinity.
- Regularly serviced and tuned vehicles (twice a year) are more efficient.
- A clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20%.
- Steel-belted radial tyres travel more smoothly and cut fuel consumption, have better handling, and last longer.
- Have your wheel alignment checked. The wrong alignment wears out tyres and increases fuel use.
- Close windows at speeds over 50 km per hour.
- The correct tyre pressure helps. Underinflated tyres create drag and could use up to 10% more fuel. Check the recommended pressure in the manufacturer’s handbook.
- For many short trips we don’t really need the car at all.
- Public transport may be a good option to get to work (or anywhere else). Its better to be able to read, work on a laptop, meditate, plan the day ahead, or just people-watch rather than the stress of peak hour driving. Public transport can be up to 60 times more efficient than the use of a car.
- Car pooling, or taking turns with others to use a vehicle–to get to and from work, to drop off and collect children, or for shopping trips, cuts fuel use and the number of vehicles on the road.
- More fuel is burnt in stop-start traffic. Avoiding peak times is a big fuel saver.
- Weight increases fuel use so an empty boot is best.
- Purchase locally grown, produced, and packaged goods where possible (not that easy these days I know). Goods often travel thousands of kilometers to get to us (globalization and centralization at present give highest profits) but they carry a hidden cost in pollution and waste.
- We need to give up our love affair with gas-guzzlers. We need to stop associating our status and self-worth with the car we drive and embrace smaller, fuel efficient vehicles and hybrids.
