It’s possible save fuel behind the wheel? With some patience and dedication, yes. Techniques can be learned Efficient driving and make the deposit last longer than usual. And I’m not saying it. Say it the General Directorate of Traffic and the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy. Have the vehicle you have. Although, the newer, the more efficient it should be in terms of fuel consumption.
But regardless of that, from the driver’s point of view it is also possible do something to save fuel and that does not involve leaving the car at home.
Below we review some tips that you can carry out before leaving on a trip and, in addition, a series of easy-to-implement keys to drive efficiently and thus extend the life of the tank and save fuel. Without too many complications. Simply changing some habits of driving that you have been practicing for years. Changing them will cost you little. Literally.
What to do before you start
Before we get going there are several things you can do to save fuel. For starters, something as obvious as plan the trips looking for the shortest route, but also the least congested. And if possible, that it has cheap gas stations nearby. Any help is little.
Another tip for before you get on to your vehicle is to bear in mind that the more weight, the more fuel consumption. By every 100 kilograms of additional weight, fuel consumption is increased by 5%. Says the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving. What’s more: using the roof rack increases fuel consumption by between 2 and 35%.
More information of interest: the air-conditioning Increases fuel consumption by up to 20%. It is clear that you are not going to sacrifice your health in a heat wave to save fuel, but it is not advisable to abuse the air conditioning during the trip. The recommended indoor temperature It is at 24ºC. On the other hand, it is recommended do not open the windows of the vehicle, as it harms the aerodynamics and increases consumption by 5%.
Another piece of advice from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving: do not use the car for short trips. “You can consume 20 liters every 100 kilometers in small urban routes, more than twice as much as on the road”. Better to opt for other methods of transport.
Vehicle tuning
The state of your car It also influences the ability to save fuel or, on the contrary, to consume more than is recommended given the model and manufacturer. Therefore, make sure that the vehicle is in good shape before you hit the road, especially if you’re going on long trips.
- Pressure of tires: about 0.3 bar. Below, consumption rises 3%.
- Filters, oil and spark plugs: an unsuitable oil increases consumption by 3%.
- well adjusted engine: a poorly adjusted engine increases consumption by 9”.
Save fuel at the wheel
Once you are driving your vehicle, how can we save fuel? The Efficient driving gives us some guidelines to make this possible. Small actions and changes in habits that will allow you to go further with the same level of fuel in the tank.
- start. Try not to step on the accelerator when you start the engine. If your engine is gasoline, “start the march immediately after starting”. And if it is diesel, “wait a few seconds before starting the march”.
- Acceleration and gear change. In gasoline, position yourself between 2,000 and 2,500 revolutions per minute to change gear. In diesel, between 1,500 and 2,000 revolutions per minute.
- The marches. Try to circulate with high gears and low revolutions to save fuel. “It is preferable to circulate in long gears with the accelerator depressed to a greater extent than in low gears with less pressure on the accelerator”. A lower rpm regime always benefits consumption.
- The circulation speed. It is recommended maintain a uniform speed and avoid unnecessary braking, acceleration and gear changes. “An increase in speed of 20% (going from 100 to 120km/h, for example), means a 44% increase in consumption (from 8l/100km to 11.5l/100km)”.
- For deceleratethe IDAE recommends taking your foot off the accelerator earlier and let the vehicle roll with the gear engaged at that moment –so that the car continues to move, but the engine does not make an effort–, “slow down gently with the brake pedal” and “downshift as late as possible, paying special attention on descents”. And, finally, “whenever speed and space allow it, stop the car without previously downshifting”. Finally, if you are going to stop the vehicle for more than a minute, it is recommended turn off the engine. The engine at idle consumes between 0.5 and 0.7 liters of fuel per hour.