CHANGING your driving style can make a fundamental difference to your fuel bill – and your safety, argues Business Car Manager’s editor, Ralph Morton.THERE’S a lot to be said for a spot of efficiency, especially when it comes to cars or vans. Fuel has been creeping back up to new heights of financial misery. Worse, it’s unlikely to stop there.
At the end of December, the cost of fuel rose thanks to the rise in VAT. And then later in 2010, we’ll get another rise in fuel duty. So if you haven’t thought about driving efficiently, you might want to start thinking about it right now.
What is efficient driving? Well, it’s changing up early into a higher gear as soon as practical; not jamming on the brakes all the time; adopting a smoother style; driving at 70mph on the motorway, not at ‘motorway speeds’. The savings in fuel can make a big difference – up to 10%.
“Why wouldn’t you use eco driving techniques if it saves you money and it makes you a safer driver?” questions Craig McCall, an independent driving instructor and a fleet trainer for DriveTech, the leading provider of driver training, assessment and driver awareness schemes. “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.”
But the gain isn’t only financial – you’ll need to fill up fewer times – but your driving should become safer, more considerate. And you should find that your stress levels decrease.
It’s not just car drivers, though. Van drivers should think about adopting a smoother style – and saving on the bottom line. To help van drivers achieve this, the government has just launched the Van Best Practice programme.
A couple of guides are available for free, which you can access by either calling 0300 123 1133, or by visiting https://vanbestpractice.businesslink.gov.uk and looking for the downloads marked: The Efficient Vans Guide; and the Fuel Management Pack. Download those, put the tips into practice – and start saving money. Along with the environment.
For all drivers the Energy Saving Trust has this advice below.
Top 10 smarter driving tips
Behind the wheel
- 1. Drive Off From Cold. Modern cars are designed to move straight away. Warming up the engine just wastes fuel – and actually causes engine wear
- 2. Check Your Revs. Change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) or 2,000rpm (diesel)
- 3. Drive Smoothly. Anticipate road conditions so that you drive smoothly and avoid sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
- 4. Step Off The Accelerator. When slowing down or driving downhill, remain in gear but take your foot off the accelerator early. This reduces fuel flow to the engine to virtually zero.
- 5. Slow Down. Driving within the speed limit is safer as well as being the law, and reduces fuel consumption.
Stuck in traffic
- 6. Switch It Off. Modern cars use virtually no extra fuel when they are re-started without pressing the accelerator. Turn off the engine if you’re going to be stationary for more than a minute or two.
Smarter preparation
- 7. Plan Ahead. Plan your journeys to avoid congestion and road works, and to make sure you don’t waste fuel or time getting lost!
- 8. Keep It Long. Use other forms of transport for short journeys, if you can. A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
- 9. Reduce Drag. Accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers and roof boxes significantly affect your car’s aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remove them when not in use.
- 10. Check Tyre Pressures. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and increase fuel consumption.
Source: Energy Saving Trust
Further information
For additional commentary, read the Editor’s Blog Smarter driving makes business sense.
