It seems judicious to decrease your motoring budget through simple reflexes and innovative services in order to protect yourself against rising pump prices. We have decided to review the practical solutions that will allow you to drive further, reduce your car budget and be greener.
Real tips for consuming less and preconceived notions
Driving more slowly, changing gears efficiently and turning off the air conditioning: these are all gestures that motorists know well. However, eco-driving does not boil down to these practical tips; for the motorist, it’s all about a new way of driving, one that provides genuine solutions for covering greater distances while damaging your engine less and consuming less fuel.
Driving at a snail’s pace?
Reducing your speed by 10 km/h (about 6 mph) is not an obvious reflex that many motorists have. They should do though! During a 100-km (60-mile) motorway journey, if you slow down from 130 km/h (almost 81 mph) to 120 km/h (about 75 mph), you will drive only … 4 more minutes. On the other hand, you will save 20% fuel!
Although it is vital to know how to drive carefully and calmly, eco-driving does not necessarily mean going at a snail’s pace! On the contrary, acceleration also has a key role to play – and knowing how to accelerate correctly is also a whole technique. Moreover, it is essential to quickly increase your speed in order to reduce the time spent over-revving.
The first mile is essential
It’s when the engine is cold that it wears itself out most, as the oil has not yet had enough time to lubricate it properly. For short trips around town, remember that you’re never really as hurried as you think you are …
Shedding excess weight
We think about this less often; however, this eco-driving gesture is very efficient. By getting rid of useless objects from the car, you reduce its weight and therefore its fuel consumption. Tidying up a bit and emptying the boot thus becomes an act that carries weight in favour of the environment.
Aerodynamic driving
If you have to load up your car to go on holiday, note that you’re better off driving with a trailer than with a roof rack. Closing the windows or not leaving them partly open too much will conserve the aerodynamics of the car and thus not increase its fuel consumption.
Did you know?
If you stop for more than a few seconds, it’s better to turn off the engine. The preconceived notion that the engine consumes heavily when you start up is no longer verified! With the latest engines, you can start up as many times as you want without consuming more, so why not make the most of it instead of leaving the engine running for nothing …
Eco-driving training is a clever gesture!
Faced with the increase in petrol prices, many motorists wish to find out about eco-driving. This explosion in demand has led to many driving schools offering eco-driving training sessions - and with impressive results. It’s all about saving money at the wheel and polluting less at the same time. Have you tried it? Tell us what you thought!
Find all our tips (in French) for clever driving on the comment-economiser.fr website
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Jean
24 novembre 2011
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