Driving efficiently and saving on your fuel bill

The way we drive and care for our cars really affects how much fuel we use - up to 20% more than we need to use in some cases. This is a waste of money as well as being bad for the environment.

By making a few small changes to your driving style and keeping your car well-tuned you can easily reduce your fuel bill. Using 20% less fuel over five years is like saving an entire year's worth of fuel - which means savings for you and good news for the planet.

Calculate your fuel economy

The first step to improving your fuel economy is knowing exactly how much fuel your car is using right now. You can calculate exactly how much fuel you are using by following the steps below next time you fill up.

  • Make a note of where your fuel gauge needle is, for example empty, a quarter full
  • Fill up your car and keep your fuel docket which shows how many litres you bought
  • Reset the trip meter before you drive off
  • Drive around as you normally would. When the fuel gauge reaches the same point as in step 1, write down the distance you have travelled from the trip meter
  • To find out your fuel economy in litres per 100 km, divide the number of litres of fuel used by the distance travelled, then multiply this figure by 100.
  • Your result - the smaller the number, the better your result.

You can also find out what fuel consumption to expect from a car of your make and model, and compare it to other similar cars using Fuel$aver.

Fuel-saving tips

You can make big reductions in the amount of fuel you use by following these tips. The winners of the AA ENERGYWISE™ Rally Driver Award (the greatest improvement on the vehicles stated fuel economy) beat the stated fuel consumption of their car, a Holden Maloo Ute, by a massive 40%. Proof that driving well really does make a difference.

If we all cut our fuel use by 20%, New Zealand would save over 620 million litres of fuel each year - that's like taking 500,000 cars off our roads.

Drive smoothly

Accelerate smoothly. Change gear early, but don't labour the engine. If you drive an automatic, switch overdrive on as this will keep the engine speed down.

Watch your speed

Reducing your speed by 10 km/hr can knock around 10% off your fuel consumption.

Look ahead

Look ahead, maintaining a safe following distance and you'll keep at a more constant speed. This uses less fuel than constantly accelerating and breaking.

Care for your car

Keeping your tyres at the right pressure saves fuel, as does regularly getting your wheel alignment corrected. Keeping you engine well tuned helps inprove your fuel economy.

Watch your air conditioning

Only use air conditioning when you really need it - in older cars, running it uses around 10% more fuel.

Keep your load down

It sounds obvious, but a heavier vehicle uses more fuel. Leave heavy items from the boot at home when you're not using them.

Reduce Drag

Take roofracks or luggage boxes off your car when you aren't using them.

Limit idling time

If you are going to be stationary for more than 30 seconds, switch off your engine.

More information

 

From the Resource Centre

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