Fuel savings through smoother driving
Smoother driving is reportedly one of the best ways to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear, according to driving associations such as the AA (see http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/drive-smart.html). According to driving experts, minimising changes in speed reduces engine revs, leading to fuel savings.
In addition to this, by avoiding the need for harsh acceleration and braking, drivers can also reduce damage to their vehicles’ engines and brake pads, leading to lower maintenance costs in the long run. Reductions of up to 60% in fuel consumption can reportedly be made by applying better driving practices.
When it comes to driving smoothly, the key is to learn how to read the road ahead, leaving plenty of space between you and the car in front, and watching out for the telltale signs that vehicles up ahead are braking, so that when you need to you can simply ease off the accelerator and come to a gentle halt, instead of slamming on the brakes at the last second.
It’s also important to try to become more aware of what the other traffic around you is doing, paying particular attention at roundabouts, junctions and slip roads, and in rush hour traffic jams. Secondly, avoid accelerating too hard when setting off, over-revving the engine in a race to stay with the car in front. Instead, take your time in easing up to full speed, ensuring gear changes are made promptly to ensure optimum efficiency and further fuel savings.
These changes are mainly a matter of paying more attention to the road around you, and taking a little more time, instead of treating the road as a race-track. They can not only lead to fuel savings and lower maintenance costs for your vehicle, but many drivers have also reported that they find driving less stressful as a result of changing their driving habits.
For the fleet manager, the benefits are plain to see, not only in cost savings, but also in a safer and happier workforce. Vehicle tracking systems such as SupaTrak’s can also play a large part in helping to improve driver behaviour through monitoring key statistics such as miles per gallon, and the proportion of driving time spent at optimum fuel efficiency.
