Matt and Craig discuss eco-driving techniques during one of the DriveTech Advantage workshop sessions prior to Matt’s driving test
Safe eco-driving saves money, reduces risk
THE TOTAL ECO 10 MPG Marathon is an extreme test of the ability of drivers in both cars and vans to achieve exceptional fuel consumption (see our news story Smart driving gives eco advantage).
The winning car was a Smart diesel coupe with 96mpg; the winning van was a Citroen Nemo with 75.8mpg.
There’s been much talk in our house about eco-driving, prompted by my son Matt’s driving trainer in the run up to his test (passed successfully first time).
Part of the DriveTech Advantage instruction given by trainer Craig McCall has been in eco-driving techniques, particularly in the workshop sessions that have been part of the course.
“Why wouldn’t you use eco driving techniques if it saves you money and it makes you a safer driver?” questions Craig, not unreasonably. “I actually tried it out on one of my students. I got her to drive the same course twice. Once as she would normally; then I introduced eco-driving techniques. We saw a fuel saving of 10mpg. Incredible really.”
It’s something that Matt now practises. I think he quite likes the idea of the skill involved, too (not to mention eking out the fuel). It means thinking more about your driving; being more precise; more aware. That helps to make you a better and safer driver. I’ve been out with him recently and he is very reassuring as a driver. So full marks to Craig there for his expert instruction.
I also drive with eco techniques myself now as a result of our discussions with Craig. My Audi A6, with its economically tuned TDIe engine, is ideal for it anyway. You can use all the car’s relaxed low down torque – all 320Nm of it – by short-shifting gears. It makes the Audi very considered to drive. I really like that. Its official fuel figure is 53.3mpg – amazing for such a big car. I’m getting over 42mpg, which includes plenty of shorter and stop-start journeys too.
The other aspect of eco-driving is that, by travelling at the legal limit on motorways rather than at the euphemistically termed “motorway speeds” – and saving 10% of fuel in the process – you really have to concentrate a lot more. Which makes you safer, keeps you more alert.
HOWEVER (capitals for some extra drama don’t you know), I think you have to be careful. In the end, saving fuel is useful and commendable; but compromising safety isn’t. I’ve been on some of these economy runs in the past and the techniques to maximise economy are, shall we say, borderline (getting ‘drag tows’, always rolling, never stopping and so on). So, as ever, eco-driving is good; but use your commonsense. There’s no point in trying to save a tenth of a gallon of fuel and then sticking your car into the side of another at a roundabout because you didn’t want to lose momentum.
A bit like those people who follow sat-navs slavishly – ignoring the all-too obvious signs around them – and find themselves beached in a village pond.
Commonsense. There’s nothing like it.
