CAR DRIVING TIPS

Drive to save fuel
hether you are an occasional or an every day driver, you can decrease the amount of fuel you use by taking the energy saving steps described in this pamphlet

Driving Skills
The driving technique of the person behind the wheel is the most important single factor in determining the fuel economy of a particular car. A fuel economy conscious driver can achieve 30 to 50% better mileage than most other drivers by practising the following instructions:

The Driver Attitude
Always think about fuel economy while you drive.
Always drive for fuel economy.
Avoid driving when you are angry or upset.
Consider using public transportation when ever possible.

The 30 Seconds Warm Up
Idle your engine during its initial start no more than 30 seconds. Car engines warm up faster when they are in motion.
Idling more than 30 seconds not only wastes fuel but also does harm to your engine, since oil can't do its best lubricating job unless the car is in motion.
Depress the accelerator just once as added pumping wastes fuel.
Do not rev up the engine before turning it off. This dumps raw fuel on the cylinder walls; washing away the protective lubricating oil film and increasing engine wear at the next start. This also wastes fuel.

Avoid Screeching Starts
Jerky acceleration or screeching starts can increase fuel consumption by reducing approximately one kilometer per litre in city driving.
Accelerate briskly, but smoothly, upto 50 kmph. . Then moderately up to 65 kmph... then keep a steady pressure on the accelerator... just enough to maintain speed.

Drive at Moderate Speeds
Always rely on the feather foot pressure approach on the accelerator; this will result in even better fuel savings.
Observing 80 kmph speed limit saves fuel and money.
Driving below speed limits on highways produces even greater fuel savings

Avoid Low Gears... Get Up To Speed Quickly
Keep your car's speed up and over 35 kmph mark when you can.
Skip a gear (go from 1st to 3rd or 4th) if you are on a flat road or slope.
Run through all gears quickly and gently if going up hill.
With automatic transmission, get the car rolling, then let up the accelerator, easing into high range quickly.

Hill Climbing Techniques
Driving on hill consumes more fuel than driving on flat roads. The following tips will help in fuel economy:

Build up speed before approaching a hill, to avoid fuel wasting hard acceleration.
The momentum developed will carry the vehicle over the crest, and gravity will help the vehicle go down the other side.

Keep Tyre Pressure Up
Under inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption significantly. Please refer to Driver Energy Tips No. 2 "Wheel Alignment and Tyre Maintenance" for more information.

Avoid Short Trips...
Travel distances of 1 to 8 kilometers are considered as short trips.
Short trips impose heavy fuel penalties on fuel economy due to cold vehicle parts, cold tyres and improper engine lubrication.
It takes approximately 25 kilometers drive for fuel efficient operation of a vehicle.
Avoid starting the engine until you are actually ready.
Plan ahead. Combine your shopping errands into one trip.
Include shopping trips into normal commuting trip.
Travel during off peak hours when there is less traffic congestion.
Operating air conditioner in city traffic reduces fuel economy by approximately 9%.
Park in the first reasonable parking space available.