Saving Your Green: Tips for Conserving Fuel
Whoa, Nellie
It’s no surprise that speeding increases fuel consumption, thereby decreasing fuel economy. While every vehicle reaches optimum fuel economy at a different speed, mileage generally decreases rapidly at speeds over 50 mph. Did you know that for every 5 mph driven at over 50 mph, you’re spending $0.14 more per gallon (based on gasoline at $2.04/gallon)?
Be Conservative
Vehicles use the most energy/fuel when accelerating. Anticipate your accelerating and braking needs ahead of time, when possible, to avoid abrupt changes. In aviation, we like to advise “small corrections.” It’s good advice in your car, too; you can improve your highway fuel economy by as much as 33% and 5% around town — just by making more conservative course corrections.
Combine Errands
Since it costs you money every time you start and stop your car, it makes sense to combine as many errands as you can in a single trip. It’s especially important for those who live in colder climates, because it takes a while for a cold engine to reach its peak performance temperature; shorter trips can use twice as much fuel as one long, multi-purpose trip over the same distance when the engine is warm.
Reduce Vehicle Load
Your vehicle is a well-engineered machine designed to operate best at certain speeds, weights and configurations. Additional weight or storage of items on the exterior will create drag and tax your fuel economy. Off-load what you can to maintain the aerodynamic body designed for your vehicle.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Keep fluids topped off, change your oil regularly and make sure your tires have the proper air pressure.
Proper vehicle maintenance can improve fuel economy by as much as 40%!
More and more manufacturers are providing instant feedback through in-vehicle displays. The National Center for Sustainable Transport (NCST) has found that such feedback affects driver behavior resulting in 5.6% better fuel economy overall as well as other driving improvements.
Alkane thanks the US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center for the valuable information represented herein. For more important information, see http://www.afdc.energy.gov/
Alkane Truck Company is currently raising capital on the crowdfunding platform StartEngine. Find out more here: https://www.startengine.com/startup/alkane
