If the car remains your only solution for getting around, here is how to easily save 10 to 20% on fuel. And given the price per liter, you will seriously reduce your gas bill... but also your pollution rate while arriving safely. After the first few kilometers of this new eco-responsible driving, everything will run smoothly.
Yes, experts are convinced: we can all participate in reducing the oil bill. On the way to a new eco-driving that reduces the fuel bill as well as pollution.
Take the course speed
Do your math: reducing your speed by 10 km per hour on a 500 km journey is equivalent to saving 5 litres of petrol, not to mention a second saving, 12kg of CO2 less in the air. The idea of arriving at your destination much later is an illusion. It will take you 4 minutes more over 100 km. So, take your time and don't set an "arrival time" that is too precise. On the contrary, play the smart bison and chase traffic jams with your GPS because slowdowns are responsible for a serious increase in fuel consumption. Don't forget to start your engine gently. When cold, it consumes more fuel and pollutes more, and shift into higher gear as soon as possible.
Avoid short trips
The first two kilometers are the most polluting and costly. Expect 45% overconsumption on the first kilometer and 25% on the second, not to mention CO2 and nitrogen oxide emissions at their peak when the engine is cold. However, 40% of car journeys do not exceed two kilometers.
Adopt smart driving
Sporty driving is completely obsolete or even unconscious given the extra fuel it requires. A regular regime with smooth starts can save you up to 40% of fuel accompanied by a reduction in CO2 emissions . So stay cool when the light turns green. Likewise, there is no point in slamming on the brakes at a red light, taking your foot off the accelerator and letting the car roll will cost you... zero fuel.
Choose the right gear ratio depending on the type of road: mountain, motorway, paths, etc. Constantly pushing and lifting your foot off the pedal can cost you dearly when you imagine the energy it takes to accelerate a one-ton car in just a few seconds!
As for the cruise control, it is very useful when the road is smooth to reduce consumption and allow the driver to relax. On the other hand, when the road is bumpy and winding, it increases consumption because it forces the vehicle to accelerate to maintain speed.
Monitor your vehicle
Some small adjustments can seriously reduce your fuel bill.
- Checking tire pressure. Under-inflated tires increase resistance, which leads to 2.4% more fuel consumption per 0.5 bar. Don't forget the air filter, which, when clogged, consumes 10% more fuel and emits many more pollutants.
- Lightening the vehicle. Fuel consumption increases by 7% for every 100kg of additional load. Relieve it of unnecessary objects such as trunks and roof racks which, if not used, require 10 to 20% more fuel due to the loss of aerodynamics. Prefer trailers and bike racks placed at the rear. There is also no need to systematically refuel because a liter of fuel is an extra kilo to transport.
- Using the air conditioning. It consumes one liter more per 100 km. The right tactic: open the windows when you are driving at low speed and turn on the air conditioning when the speed is high (on the highway). In fact, in this case, the energy demand that the aerodynamics of the open windows requires is greater than that of the air conditioning.
