Forget about the "reserve" method. There are better ways to reduce fuel consumption

ALEKSANDER RUCIŃSKI• 6 months ago• 19 comments

Fuel prices at stations are dangerously close to the psychological limit of PLN 6 per liter, which makes many drivers start looking for savings. It is worth remembering that there are good and bad ways to reduce fuel consumption. Here are some examples.

The right way: focus on smooth driving

Want to refuel less often? Drive in such a way that your car uses less fuel. Many drivers do not focus on how they drive, mindlessly duplicating mistakes and habits that may have an impact on higher fuel consumption. Meanwhile, it is enough to start thinking and anticipate to significantly reduce fuel consumption. Smoothness and avoiding sudden deceleration are key. Instead of braking just before the traffic light, let off the gas and slowly roll to the intersection. Similarly — avoid sharp starts if you know you're about to stop anyway.

The wrong way: driving too slowly and using low revs

Smoothness doesn't have to mean sacrificing dynamics and driving pleasure. Unfortunately, there are people who, in pursuit of the lowest possible fuel consumption, drive excessively slowly and shift to a higher gear too early. Modern systems that suggest entering the next gear as early as 1500 rpm strengthen some drivers' habits.

Driving like this, however, puts a significant strain on the engine and drivetrain, reducing component life. So it may turn out that what we save on fuel will be spent on, for example, a prematurely worn dual mass flywheel.

The good way: use highways judiciously

Motorway driving at high speed in most cars is associated with a drastic increase in fuel consumption, and the inexorable physics means that every additional 10 km/h translates into lost liters of fuel . The differences in fuel consumption in some cars can be as much as several liters per 100 km. Optimum results for most cars will be achieved in the range of 120-140 km/h. After that, the demand for fuel increases drastically. So it's worth slowing down —  not only because of the regulations, but also for noticeable savings.

The wrong way: saving at all costs

It is worth remembering — first comfort and safety, and only then savings. Some drivers seem to forget about it, driving in hot weather with the air conditioning turned off or getting rid of "unnecessary" ballast, e.g. in the form of a spare wheel or even an adequate supply of fuel. After all, a full tank weighs its weight, and weight is the enemy of low fuel consumption.

Savings, however, are negligible in such cases, and the risk is really high. In a hot interior, we get tired faster, which affects not only our well-being, but also our reflexes behind the wheel. The lack of a spare wheel will hurt at the first "slipper", and continuous driving on the reserve can end, for example, with a fault in the fuel pump.

A good way: look for a cheaper station

Fuel prices at individual stations may differ by up to several dozen groszy per liter. So it may turn out that by refueling elsewhere, you will save a significant amount. What's more, cheaper fuel does not necessarily mean lower quality.

Location is key for prices. It is the most expensive on highways, expressways and in city centers. Sometimes it is enough to add a kilometer or two to refuel noticeably cheaper, and at the same time without queues.

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