How to turn your holiday trip into an economy run
Are you ready to transform your next road trip into an eco-friendly adventure? Discover the secrets to achieving exceptional fuel efficiency while enjoying the scenic beauty of the open road. Learn how to navigate hills, optimise gear selection, and anticipate traffic conditions to maximise fuel savings.
In the days of yesteryear, petrolheads would boast about their reckless drives, claiming to have reached Durban from Johannesburg in a mere three and a half hours. However, with the advent of average-speed cameras and congested highways, the focus has shifted to fuel economy (and this is how you work out your car's fuel consumption). This article delves into tips and tricks for achieving impressive fuel efficiency during your next road trip, so you'll have more money to spend on holiday! Here's what to do:
1. Make Fuel Efficiency Your Ultimate Goal
Transform your holiday trip into an economy run by adopting fuel-conscious driving habits. Set a challenge for yourself to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption throughout your journey. Include your local driving, from the corner café to your house and back, to truly test your fuel-saving prowess.
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2. Prioritise Safety
While fuel efficiency is admirable, never compromise safety for the sake of saving fuel. Maintain a safe and appropriate speed for the road conditions, avoiding the temptation to crawl along in the fast lane. (Here's what you'll pay to fuel SA's best-selling cars in December 2023)
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3. Avoid Freewheeling
Coasting in neutral downhill, also known as freewheeling, may conserve fuel, but it's a risky practise on busy roads. Instead, maintain a high gear while gently easing off the throttle on downhills. This approach ensures greater stability and control.
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4. Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Tailgating behind another vehicle to take advantage of their air disruption, known as slipstreaming, can save fuel. However, maintaining a safe following distance is paramount. Keep a minimum distance of ten car lengths between your vehicle and the one ahead.
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5. Maximise Gear Selection
The key to fuel-efficient driving lies in selecting the highest gear possible for the given conditions. Avoid revving the engine excessively in lower gears; instead, upshift smoothly and quickly. Treat your car as if you'll be paying for it for the next two decades.
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6. Monitor Instant Fuel Consumption
Modern vehicles often feature an instant fuel consumption readout, allowing you to track your real-time fuel usage. Observe how fuel consumption varies across different gears and driving scenarios. This exercise can help you identify areas for improvement.
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7. Shift to Top Gear Strategically
Aim to reach top gear as soon as possible, but avoid lugging the engine at extremely low revs. Ease up on the accelerator to smoothly engage the next higher gear.
8. Anticipate Hills
Approaching an uphill slope? Gently increase speed beforehand to carry momentum up the incline. Maintain the highest gear possible, shifting down only when necessary to prevent shuddering or loss of momentum.
9. Embrace the Challenge
Transforming your road trip into an economy run adds an element of excitement and purpose to your journey. As you traverse vast landscapes, challenge yourself to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption. Remember, every fraction of a litre saved counts.
The bottom line
Enjoy your fuel-efficient holiday adventure! By incorporating these tips, you can significantly reduce your fuel consumption, minimise your environmental impact, and potentially save a considerable amount of money. Remember, the lower the consumption figure gets, the more challenging it becomes to improve further. Embrace the journey, and celebrate your achievements along the way. Happy fuel-efficient motoring!
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*This article was originally written by Stuart Johnson, who attained an average of 3.2 litres per 100 km in the Ford Fiesta 1.6TDCi Trend model (search for this car on AutoTrader here) on a real-world economy run. Ané Albertse recently updated this article.
