Episode 10 :: Holiday driving

Cut your fuel use - and your car's environmental impacts - with some simple driving tips.

Drive wisely

You can cover the same distance using less fuel with some simple driving techniques.

Here are some tips:

Drive smoothly. Accelerate and brake gently and smoothly, including in and out of corners. Look ahead so you can adjust your speed early.

Watch your speed. Travelling at 100 km/h instead of 110 km/h can cut around 10% off your fuel bill.

Cut your idling time. Idling wastes fuel. If you're going to be stationary for more than 30 seconds, switch off the car.

Use your air-con wisely. Air conditioning can add up to 10% to your fuel use, so only use it when you really need to - open your windows instead.

Care for your car

A well-maintained car can use up to 10% less fuel.

Here are some tips:

Check your tyre pressure monthly - your car will run more efficiently, and handle and brake better.

Service your car regularly, and keep your wheels are properly aligned.

Lighten and stream-line the load

It sounds obvious, but the heavier your load is or the more drag you've got, the harder your car's engine needs to work - it can add up to 5% to your fuel bills.

Here are some tips:

If you're not using something, take it out of the car.

Take off the roof racks and cycle racks if you are not using them regularly.

Did you know?

• It costs about the same in energy to run your average house as it does to run your average car - about $2200 a year.
• You could save up to 20% on your fuel bills with some simple driving techniques and good car maintenance. If every New Zealand motorist did it, we would use about 620 million litres less fuel each year - that's like taking 500,000 cars off our roads.
• The top driving team in the 2008 AA ENERGYWISE™ Rally - where drivers battle to achieve the lowest running costs over a four-day route - beat the stated fuel   consumption of their vehicle by a whopping 40%.