How to reduce fuel consumption?

Modern cars are close to perfection. Their designers spend hundreds of hours on refining the drive units, optimal gear gradation or shaping the elements responsible for the aerodynamic drag coefficient. However, the driver still has the greatest influence on fuel consumption. Can it reduce fuel consumption by its behavior?

Those who would like to travel economically should first of all analyze their driving style. It is the factor that has the greatest impact on fuel consumption - both in cars with gasoline and diesel engines. Research shows that by optimizing your driving style you can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20-25%.

Priority should be given to increasing the smoothness of the ride. You have to remember that every acceleration and unnecessary braking means an irreversible loss of fuel and unnecessary loss of momentum of the car. Unfavorable processes can be avoided by observing the road even 200-300 meters in front of the hood and trying to predict the behavior of other drivers. If someone turns to traffic or we see a traffic jam, take your foot off the gas - the electronics will cut off the fuel supply to the cylinders and the engine braking process will start.

During acceleration, the gas pedal should be depressed decisively, even by 75%. The goal is to reach the desired speed quickly, stabilize it and shift to the highest possible gear with the lowest fuel consumption of the engine. To reduce fuel consumption, car manufacturers are increasingly using six-speed gearboxes. If they are properly graded, they not only improve the performance of the car, but also reduce fuel consumption and the noise level in the cabin, which is especially noticeable when driving at highway speeds. Until a few years ago, 6-speed transmissions were a "luxury" reserved for more powerful engines. Now they are becoming more and more common. In the case of the new Fiat Tipo, you can enjoy them already in the base, 95-horsepower 1.4 16V version.

During acceleration, pay attention to the rotation. Too high speeds do not improve acceleration, but increase fuel consumption and noise levels in the cabin. In the new Fiat Tipo, choosing the optimal gear and the moment of its activation is not a problem - there is an icon in the on-board computer that reminds you of it. This indicator is obligatory for all cars with engines meeting the Euro 5 or Euro 6 emission standard.

However, on-board computers with a fuel consumption indicator are not obligatory. If they are included in our car, it is worth using them. A relatively simple solution will remind you how much dynamic or fast driving costs. For example - the difference in fuel consumption on the highway at 140 km / h and after slowing down to 120 km / h is approx. 1 l / 100 km. You can consider whether you want to reach your destination quickly, or whether it is worth slowing down a bit and saving a lot.

It is worth planning a trip for one more reason - it will be more advantageous to maintain a constant, even high speed from the very beginning, than slower driving and later attempts to make up for lost time. For example - the car will consume less fuel on the highway, which will be driven at 140 km / h than in the case of driving at first 120 km / h, and then 160 km / h.

Especially when driving at high speeds, the aerodynamic properties of the car body become important. We can make them worse by transporting an unused trunk frame on the roof or driving with open windows. The last of the listed ones can cause very large air turbulences, which will increase the average fuel consumption by up to several percent. The car consumes less fuel if we cool its interior with air conditioning.

And since we are talking about "climate". Remember that it should be turned on only when its work is necessary. Considerably also use the heating of windows, mirrors or heated seats. The air conditioning compressor is set in motion by the internal combustion engine, and the electricity comes from an alternator connected to the drive unit. Additional resistance increases fuel consumption.

For the same reason, the air pressure in the tires should be checked. By keeping them at the level recommended by the manufacturer, we will be able to enjoy the best compromise between comfort, driving properties and fuel consumption. Eco-driving experts recommend increasing the pressure in the wheels by 0,2-0,5 atmospheres above the recommended - this will lower rolling resistance with little impact on driving properties or comfort.

The general technical condition of the car also has an impact on fuel consumption. Dirty filters, worn spark plugs, brake pads that rub against the discs or the engine running in emergency mode mean higher expenses under the dispenser.