Motoring expert explains one common myth doesn’t save fuel and instead shares five driving tips that actually work as petrol prices continue to rise
Some common fuel-saving tips are actually costing you more(Image: Images By Tang Ming Tung via Getty Images)
As fuel costs continue to climb, following the largest increase on record in March, it’s hardly surprising that motorists are frantically seeking methods to avoid spending additional money at the pumps.
Many drivers are attempting to extract maximum mileage from their tank before needing to refuel, but the techniques they’re employing could actually be increasing their expenditure.
These strategies are known as ‘hypermiling’, which essentially involves enhancing fuel efficiency through various minor driving techniques. However, many of these are misinterpreted, particularly regarding downhill driving.
Many drivers have been convinced that disengaging gear and freewheeling downhill in neutral will save fuel. Many people believe allowing your car to roll in neutral while not in control control uses less petrol, though this has subsequently been disproven.
Motoring specialist and CEO at Leasing.com, Mike Fazal, expained: “Coasting downhill in neutral reduces driver control and, in modern cars, may even use more fuel than staying in gear.
“When you lift off the accelerator while the car is still in gear, modern engines often stop injecting fuel entirely. That means the car can travel downhill using little to no fuel while also maintaining better control through engine braking.
“If the car is placed in neutral, the engine must instead continue burning fuel to idle, which can actually increase fuel consumption compared with remaining in gear.”
Nevertheless, there are several other fuel-efficiency techniques you can implement while driving to postpone your next visit to the petrol station and protect your finances.
5 strategies motorists can employ to reduce fuel costs
The specialist recommends accelerating gently and keeping a consistent speed is likely to consume less fuel, while sharp acceleration depletes fuel more rapidly. Repeatedly braking and accelerating, he suggests, will “quickly reduce your fuel efficiency”.
He claims: “If you have a manual car, you should always shift into a higher gear as soon as it’s practical. And, if you drive an automatic, then try to feather the accelerator to keep your changes as smooth and as quick as possible.”
Tyre pressure can similarly impact your fuel wastage, so it’s vital to regularly check whether they are deteriorated or properly inflated. When this isn’t the case, the vehicle must work harder to travel, which consequently increases fuel consumption.
Additionally, weight has a substantial impact on your car’s performance and can influence how much fuel is being consumed. Therefore, eliminating any superfluous weight proves beneficial, as heavy objects stored in the boot add extra load for the engine to transport.
This gradually will diminish your fuel efficiency. With this in mind, roof racks and roof boxes are best avoided if you’re looking to reduce costs and make your fuel last longer.
He suggests: “Roof racks and roof boxes create extra drag as air passes over the vehicle. Even when empty, they make the car less aerodynamic and can increase fuel consumption, especially on faster roads.”
It is evident that achieving greater fuel efficiency relies on the cumulative effect of all the minor choices you make while driving and maintaining your vehicle, and with expenses continuing to climb, every saving counts. By adopting even a handful of these adjustments, you’ll notice a significant difference over time.
