  |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
1) Drive less The best way to reduce fuel use is to drive less: 2) Park and ride (bicycle) If part of your commute is not biker friendly, travel to a point that is and then bike the rest of the way. 3) Attend a driving clinic Hybrid owners groups are popping up in cities around the world - and non-hybrid owners are often welcome to attend regular meetings. Fuel efficient driving techniques are commonly discussed, and clinics are sometimes offered by experienced members. 4) Clean junk from your trunk The additional weight you carry in your vehicle doesn't ride for free. It takes energy to move it around. Removing unnecessary stuff from your vehicle saves fuel. 5) Let the most efficient driver drive More than one licenced driver in the vehicle? Let the most efficient driver drive! And take the opportunity to learn from his/her wisdom. 6) Join a fuel economy forum Join an outstanding forum to learn ways to increase your fuel economy by talking to others who share your enthusiasm and goals. 7) Remove unused roof racks If your vehicle come with a roof rack and you don't use it, remove it. Same holds true for bike racks. Doing so will reduce aerodynamic drag, resulting in better fuel economy. 8) Check tire inflation regularly Make sure that your tire pressures are, at minimum, set to manufacturer specifications. The higher the pressure, the less rolling resistance. 9) Track your fuel consumption One of the first steps in improving efficiency is tracking fuel consumption. 10) Use a fuel consumption display Feedback is absolutely critical to improving driving habits.
11) Take the road less traveled Generally speaking, if you have the option of choosing lightly traveled roads over busier ones, you give yourself more flexibility to employ a wider range of fuel saving techniques than if you are surrounded by other vehicles. 12) Leave early and don't rush The enemy of efficient driving is finding yourself in a rush. Leave for your destination a little early so you don't feel pressure to drive faster, brake later and otherwise fall back into bad habits. 13) Crosswind barrier Headwinds aren't the only winds that increase fuel consumption - cross winds can have a large negative effect as well. In crosswind conditions, choosing a route with a barrier (trees or buildings) along the edge will save fuel compared to a road in the open. 14) The 'corridor effect' All else being equal, traveling at a constant speed on a freeway within a flow of traffic (in the same direction) is more efficient than going the same speed in isolation. The reason is aerodynamic: a flow of traffic generates a localized wind current in the direction of travel. You will benefit from this artificial breeze. 15) Note your transition points If you regularly travel the same roads, make a conscious effort to note (memorize) the points along the way where transitions occur that maximize efficiency. 16) Time your gas station trips Plan to refuel your car during off-peak times to avoid lines and excessive idling. 17) Avoid drive-thrus Avoid drive thru windows. They lead to excessive idling. 18) Lane of least resistance In multi-lane traffic, choose the "lane of least resistance" to avoid unnecessary and unpredictable braking/changes in speed. 19) Avoid stops at bottom of hills Avoid roads with stops at the bottom of hills (which force you to brake and waste the kinetic energy you just gained going downhill). 20) Take advantage of the wind If possible, time trips to take advantage of strong tailwinds. Avoid setting out into strong headwinds/crosswinds. 21) Choose smooth road surfaces Choose a route with a smooth, paved/concrete surface over gravel or rough, broken roads, all else being equal. Smoother surfaces offer reduced rolling resistance. 22) Avoid bad weather Avoid driving in inclement weather if possible, as rain/snow/slush can dramatically increase rolling resistance. 23) Avoid peak traffic If you have the option, avoid travel during peak traffic times. With the roads full of other drivers, you have fewer options for using driving techniques that the herd doesn't typically use or tolerate (e.g. reduced highway speeds, drawn out coasting up to stop signs, etc). 24) Drive when it's warm out If you have the flexibility, time your trips to coincide with warm temperatures (ie. middle of the day) rather than cold (night/early morning). 25) Pick up cargo "high", deliver "low" If possible, shop at stores that are higher in elevation than your home. That way the extra weight you pick up (shopping items) is on board for the descending return leg where it's less of a penalty than it would be on an ascending return leg.
26) Conserve momentum: stop sign 'stop and crawl' When multiple vehicles ahead of you are progressing through a stop sign (or a right turn at a red light), this represents a mini 'stop and crawl' situation normally found in a bumper to bumper traffic jam. 27) Conserve momentum: take a shortcut Sometimes options exist to go through corner parking lots, side streets, or alleyways to get around having to come to a stop at an intersection or behind another vehicle. 28) Combining errands: do the longest leg first When combining multiple trips into one journey, go to your farthest destination first, and work your way back. This ensures the vehicle is warmed up as much as possible before subjecting it to multiple starts and stops. 29) Minimize idling when stopped If you're going to be stopped for more than a few seconds, shift to neutral and shut off your engine. This is one of the main reasons hybrid vehicles get such good fuel economy in urban driving. 30) Traffic light timing - stale 'green', no pedestrian signal In the absense of any other indication about how stale the light is (eg. if there's no pedestrian signal or waiting cross traffic), assume that the green light ahead is about to change. Adjust your approach speed accordingly (IF traffic permits - ie. you don't hold anyone up) to avoid a full-on brake application should the light change. 31) Combine errands Avoid very short trips. If you have multiple stops, plan them to do all on the same trip. Fuel economy is enhanced once the engine is warmed up, so a longer "chain" of errands will result in better fuel economy than multiple short ones, particularly in cold weather. 32) Traffic light timing - red lights with sensors When approaching a red light, slow down early if there's a car in front of you that can trip the sensor so you may not have to come to a complete stop. 33) Traffic light timing - 'stale' green When approaching an intersection with a green light you can watch the pedestrian signal crossing light to help determine when it will turn yellow.
34) Lights on for safety; lights off for MPG In certain driving environments / conditions, the use of daytime running lights (DRLs) or manually switching on headlights during the day increases safety. 35) Find/adopt a 'blocker' for slower freeway speeds Some people are uncomfortable driving at speeds less than the average flow of traffic on multi-lane freeways. 36) Close the sunroof at higher speeds Some sunroof styles are better than others. The worst offenders are the kind which tilt and slide to the outside, on top of the roof. When open, these "roof-top spoilers" can significantly increase aerodynamic drag. 37) Drafting: cross wind In rare circumstances, it is possible to effectively "draft" a larger vehicle in cross wind conditions without following directly behind it. When cross wind conditions cause the low pressure area trailing the lead vehicle to extend into adjacent lanes, you can take advantage of reduced drag legally and with reduced risk. 38) Drafting: close behind (not recommended!) 1) At highway speeds there's no doubt that driving close behind a large vehicle dramatically reduces fuel consumption. 2) It's a stupid thing to do. 39) Windows up Drive with windows up at higher speeds to minimize aerodynamic drag. Use flow-through ventilation if possible. 40) "Drive without brakes" (DWB) Minimize use of the brake pedal. Each time you press it, you're effectively converting gasoline into brake dust and heat. 41) Reduce speed Aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed, so reduce highway cruising speed as much as practical and safe. 42) Constant throttle position cruising Once up to speed, pick a throttle position and hold it. 43) Cruise control - when to use it Set the cruise control if you're the type of driver whose speed creeps up higher and higher the longer you're on the road, or if you have difficulty holding a steady speed (it wanders up and down). 44) Cruise control - when not to use it Only use cruise control on flat roads. On hilly roads, cruise responds to changes in grade - by feeding in more throttle on the uphill and releasing on the descent - in the exact opposite way an efficient driver would.
45) The most efficient way to slow down When you *have* to slow down, here's an approximate heirarchy of methods, from best to worst. 46) Conserve momentum: avoid stopping Avoid coming to a complete stop whenever possible (and when safe and legal of course). It takes much less energy to accelerate a vehicle when it's already traveling just a few kilometers per hour than it does from a complete stop. 47) Hybrids: minimize regen braking While regenerative braking in hybrid vehicles - capturing braking energy into the battery - is more efficient than braking with conventional friction brakes, it's still not as efficient as 'driving without brakes' (DWB).
48) Drive shoeless Some hardcore hypermilers drive in sock or bare feet so they can modulate the accelerator to the finest degree (particularly important when "driving with load" / "target MPG driving" at cruise. 49) Conserve momentum: brake hard It sounds like a contradiction, but there are rare times when braking hard can save fuel compared to coasting or light braking: it's a "damage control" technique when faced with an unpredictable/unanticipated stop or slow down ahead and not a lot of space. 50) Make fuel economy a game/challenge Competing against yourself (or others) to get the best possible fuel economy can do wonders for increasing motivation to learn more, refine your skills, and try harder. 51) Use the 'racing line' Knowing how to pick the "racing line" through a corner, when safe, can help to preserve momentum. Generally, the racing line is the path through a turn with the largest possible radius. It may permit a higher speed with more comfort (less body roll and g-forces), and less tire scrub. 52) Encourage a pass: the fake turn Drivers who travel below the normal flow of traffic should facilitate drivers approaching from behind to go past safely, with a minimum of interruption. 53) Encourage a pass: hug right Drivers who travel below the normal flow of traffic should facilitate drivers approaching from behind to go past, rather than force them to slow down. 54) Hill tactic: don't waste potential energy When facing a red traffic light, or some other predictable stop/start situation at the bottom of a hill, you're better off stopping near the top before you've accelerated to full speed. Wait, and time your release to make it through on green, and you avoid turning your potential energy into brake dust and heat. (Also known as 'smart braking'.) 55) Engine off coasting Engine-off coasting (EOC) is one of the largest contributors to increased efficiency of hybrid vehicles, many of which automatically shut down the engine when the accelerator is released and the vehicle is coasting. 56) Drive with load (DWL) AKA "target driving". Put most simply, this technique is accomplished by choosing a "target" rate of fuel consumption and ensuring you don't fall below it on hills (or in very strong winds, or any conditions which cause load to vary for a given speed). 57) Heavy traffic: play the accordion If faced with worst-case "stop & crawl" traffic conditions, leave as much space ahead of you as possible and continually "accordion" that space to keep your vehicle moving near a constant speed while the cars in front of you stop & start. 58) Pulse and glide (P&G) Use pulse and glide (or "burn and coast") rather than maintaining a constant speed, where practical. 59) Push it - 1 If you only have to move your car a very short distance - eg. out of the garage - consider rolling it rather than starting it up to move it. 60) Push it - 2 If you're starting out on an incline, give your car a shove to get it rolling as far as possible before starting the engine.
61) Start up: wait for the opportunity to move Don't start the engine until there's actually an opportunity to start driving: eg. a gap in traffic when exiting a driveway or parking space. 62) Parking tactics: orbit to bleed momentum If you find you have too much momentum after reaching your preferred parking spot, continue coasting further down the row or "orbiting" a spot until you can roll to a stop in position without touching the brakes. 63) Parking tactics: gravity assist Slopes can be useful in manoeuvering into a parking place. One which I regularly back into (it can't be driven through) has a small slope across from it. I kill the engine approaching the slope, and engine-off coast backwards into the spot. 64) Parking tactics: avoid parallel parking For on-street parking, the better spot is one with enough room to pull in/out rather than multiple reverse/forward manoeuvering (parallel parking). 65) Parking tactics: reverse in If you have no pull-through spots to choose from, reverse in when arriving, instead of driving in when warm and backing out/turning around when the vehicle is cold and fuel economy is at its worst. 66) Parking tactics: pick the periphery Choosing a spot in the "periphery" of a busy lot will be more efficient than navigating the rows of traffic/pedestrians to get as close as possible to the building or destination. 67) Parking tactics: pull-through spot Drive into a "pull through" spot, rather than a spot that requires reverse/forward manoeuvering. 68) Start up: not until you're adjusted Don't start the vehicle until you're settled in: seat, seatbelt & mirrors adjusted; passengers settled in as well. 69) Multiple vehicles: choose the one that's warmed up In a multi-vehicle household, if you have the choice of using similar vehicles, choose the one that was driven most recently if it's still warm. 70) Multiple vehicles: choose the most efficient one in the 'fleet' If you have a multi-vehicle household or workplace, choose the most efficient vehicle from the fleet that will accomplish the task at hand. 71) When changing direction, use brakes rather than engine When going from reverse to a forward gear (or vice versa), don't use the engine to stop the vehicle after the gear change, use the brake.
72) Automatic transmission: key off, then Park Save a few drops of fuel by modifying your shutdown procedure: when parking, turn off the key *before* shifting to Park and setting the parking brake. 73) Manual transmission: cruise in high gear When cruising at a constant speed, shift to the highest gear you can use without lugging the engine. 74) Automatic transmission: highest gear/lowest RPM for posted speed When cruising, drive the the speed that allows the lowest RPM for the speed zone you are in. 75) Automatic transmission: torque converter (TC) lockup Drive at the speed that allows the TC (torque converter) to lock up. This is often around 40-45 mph. Speeds just above this typically return the higest cruising fuel economy. 76) Automatic transmission: neutral when stopped Shift automatic transmissions to neutral when stopped (assuming you're going to leave the engine running). Remaining in drive wastes fuel as the engine continues to try to creep the car forward while being held back by the brakes. 77) Automatic transmission: upshift coaxing Some automatic transmissions can be coaxed to upshift sooner when accelerating by briefly releasing some throttle pressure, then re-applying to continue accelerating. 78) Automatic transmission: use OD (overdrive) If your transmission has an "OD" (overdrive) button or position, leave it engaged to ensure the transmission will shift into its highest gear as soon as possible. 79) Automatic transmission: use economy mode If your automatic transmission has a "power/economy" button, leave it in economy mode. This usually results in earlier upshifts and later downshifts, saving fuel.
80) Wait for the snow plow Driving through fresh snow increases rolling resistance moderately to dramatically, depending on the depth/type of snow. Better fuel economy will result when you wait for the plows (or for other vehicles to pack the snow down) before setting out. 81) Winter: avoid wheel spin on ice/snow If you drive in ice/snow, avoid wheelspin when traction is low. Changing to dedicated snow/ice tires that offer better traction may save fuel. 82) Follow the leader in rain or snow In weather conditions that leave a lot of precipitation on the road - heavy rain or snow - drive in the tiretracks of the vehicle in front to reduce rolling resistance. 83) Winter: clean off snow & ice Completely clear snow & ice off your vehicle before driving. It will minimize your use of energy hungry accessories (defrosters), remove an aerodynamic penalty (increased frontal area), and reduce weight (a layer of ice and snow over an entire vehicle can weigh a surprising amount). 84) Winter parking: clean out the garage If you have one, clean out your garage so you can park your car inside during the cold months of the year. The faster warm up will return better fuel economy. 85) Winter: use heated parking If you've got the choice, heated parking will improve fuel economy. The potential downside is that it may increase the rate of corrosion if you drive where roads are salted. 86) Avoid heater use until the engine has reached operating temperature Engines runs rich until a minimum temperature threshold is reached. Running the heater blower before that has happened will slightly increase warm-up time and increase fuel consumption. 87) Avoid 'warm up' idling Don't idle your engine to warm it on a cold day. An idling engine gets zero miles per gallon.
88) Cycle the A/C if you have to use it If you have to use the air conditioner, set the air flow to recirculate and manually turn the A/C on and off as needed. For greater efficiency, switch it on when under light engine loads or deceleration fuel cut off and off when under moderate/heavy loads. (Note: some newer vehicles do this automatically.) 89) Summer: park in the shade Parking in the shade will keep the inside of your vehicle cooler, which can help you minimize use of air conditioning. 90) Use a beaded seat cover They work surprisingly well as an alternative to (or defer the use of) air conditioning, by letting air flow behind & beneath you. They keep you from sticking to your seat, and your clothes from sticking to you. 91) Minimize air conditioning use Air conditioning requires a lot of power. Use it sparingly. 92) Trip timing: avoid the hottest times of day to reduce A/C use If you live where the weather is very hot, avoid driving if possible during the peak temperatures of the day when use of the air conditioner is "required." 93) Dress for success If you regularly commute to work in hot weather, you might find that saving the stuffy "work clothes" for work, and slipping into something cooler & more comfortable (shorts & tee) for the drive may mean you can run the air conditioner a little less.
94) Maintain a space cushion When driving on a multi-lane roadway, try to maintain a "space cushion" around you. 95) Maintain appropriate following distance Avoid driving so close behind another vehicle that you are forced to *immediately* brake if it begins slowing down. Important at all times, but particularly in sub/urban driving where traffic changes speed more often. 96) Be smooth Smooth use of the accelerator, steering, transmission and brakes is not only more comfortable for you and your passengers, it's also a little more efficient (less scrubbing of tires, energy lost through suspension movement). It's also better for the longevity of the vehicle and in general a sign of a skilled driver. 97) Use your horn defensively Defensive drivers will tap their horns to ensure they have the attention of other motorists or pedestrians in close quarters and potentially risky situations. 98) Look well ahead & anticipate Your ability to drive efficiently depends on being able to anticipate changes in the driving environment. The way to do this is by constantly scanning well ahead in your intended path. 99) Drive the posted speed Drive the posted speed limit or the minimum allowed, when safe to do so.
100) Don't keep up with the Joneses It easy to be competitive when driving. Resist knee-jerk retaliation to other drivers' aggressive actions. Don't let other drivers lead you astray from your driving style. 101) Minimize use of low range Many 4 wheel drive / AWD vehicles also come with high and low transmission ranges. Low range increases engine RPM and fuel consumption for a given gear/road speed combination compared to high. 102) Minimize use of 4 wheel drive The added friction of drive components in four wheel drive mode increases fuel consumption, especially when the center differential is locked and the vehicle is turning. 103) If you have to carry items outside the vehicle... Carry them on the back of the vehicle, instead of on the roof. Long, skinny items can even be carried beneath some vehicles (with ample ground clearance). 104) Minimize accessory loads Minimize use of electrical and mechanical accessory loads when safe and/or practical (lights, defrost, blower, electric heated seats, dvd players/screens, heated mirrors, etc). 105) Use a block heater Pre-warm your engine with an electric block heater. Engines are most efficient at full operating temperature, and the block heater helps it get there sooner. About 2 hours is the maximum time needed to pre-warm a small engine. 106) Drive like you ride a bike For you cyclists looking for a way to wrap your head around the subject of efficient motoring: drive like you bike. 107) Avoid towing Trailer towing delivers the triple whammy of increased weight, higher aerodynamic drag, and a third (or fourth) set of tires for more rolling resistance. 108) Listen to slower music Leave the speed metal at home. Fast paced music can make a driver more impatient, more agressive and likely to speed. At the same time, slower paced music is more relaxing and tends to promote a more sensible driving style while also reducing stress. 109) Use E-Z Pass (or similar) if you commute on toll roads/bridges Especially handy for high-speed toll passes, because it avoids the slow down and acceleration back up to speed. Discuss these tips and suggest additional ones in the forum. |
Getting started ...