As the price of petrol edges ever higher, can a change in driving habits use less fuel - and salve a car fan's conscience?
As the price of petrol edges ever higher, can a change in driving habits use less fuel - and salve a car fan's conscience?
I'm a keen recycler, buyer of energy-saving lightbulbs and user of public transport, when it comes to cars all my green efforts go out the window (rolled down, sunroof open). Until it started to cost an eye-watering £54 to fill my car with fuel.Smelling salts to hand...
I'm a keen recycler, buyer of energy-saving lightbulbs and user of public transport, when it comes to cars all my green efforts go out the window (rolled down, sunroof open). Until it started to cost an eye-watering £54 to fill my car with fuel.Smelling salts to hand...
With petrol now well over £1 a litre, even my relatively "green" Mini is fast becoming an expensive luxury rather than a convenient mode of transport.
With petrol now well over £1 a litre, even my relatively "green" Mini is fast becoming an expensive luxury rather than a convenient mode of transport.
But proponents of a motoring technique known as "eco-driving" - who include the AA, the Energy Saving Trust and the government - claim that it will not just cut emissions of carbon dioxide, but could also improve fuel efficiency by up to 30%.
But proponents of a motoring technique known as "eco-driving" - who include the AA, the Energy Saving Trust and the government - claim that it will not just cut emissions of carbon dioxide, but could also improve fuel efficiency by up to 30%.
The idea is that through good maintenance, a more relaxed driving style and cutting out short trips, you can make a difference to the health of the planet - and your wallet.
The idea is that through good maintenance, a more relaxed driving style and cutting out short trips, you can make a difference to the health of the planet - and your wallet.
Tim Shallcross, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, says while car manufacturers have many ideas to make their products more environmentally-friendly, using smarter driving techniques can make an immediate difference.Once at your destination, take off emptied roof boxes
Tim Shallcross, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, says while car manufacturers have many ideas to make their products more environmentally-friendly, using smarter driving techniques can make an immediate difference.Once at your destination, take off emptied roof boxes
"If you've got a 15-year-old Range Rover and you use these techniques, you'll save fuel today."
"If you've got a 15-year-old Range Rover and you use these techniques, you'll save fuel today."
Tim is full of statistics that suggest a little effort can go a long way.
Tim is full of statistics that suggest a little effort can go a long way.
"Many people are going on holiday at this time of year, and they'll leave their topbox on for the entire trip. At motorway speeds, that can increase fuel consumption by 20%."
"Many people are going on holiday at this time of year, and they'll leave their topbox on for the entire trip. At motorway speeds, that can increase fuel consumption by 20%."
So with his encouraging words to guide me, I set out for a weekend in West Sussex.
So with his encouraging words to guide me, I set out for a weekend in West Sussex.
LEG ONE: LONDON TO SUSSEX
LEG ONE: LONDON TO SUSSEX
This experiment in eco-driving is not scientific. The Magazine's budget does not run to either specialist fuel efficiency gadgetry, nor does it include one-on-one coaching from an expert.
This experiment in eco-driving is not scientific. The Magazine's budget does not run to either specialist fuel efficiency gadgetry, nor does it include one-on-one coaching from an expert.
My car has its own on-board computer, which includes an average miles per gallon setting.Working the gears too hard and over-revving are definite no-nos
My car has its own on-board computer, which includes an average miles per gallon setting.Working the gears too hard and over-revving are definite no-nos
First rule of eco-driving - ditch unnecessary weight. The suitcase, beach bag, cool bag and picnic rug are weekend essentials. But I chuck out old car park tickets and receipts, and recycle the accumulated water bottles and drink cans.
First rule of eco-driving - ditch unnecessary weight. The suitcase, beach bag, cool bag and picnic rug are weekend essentials. But I chuck out old car park tickets and receipts, and recycle the accumulated water bottles and drink cans.
Next I make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres are not just dangerous - they create more resistance to the road and so make the car less efficient.
Next I make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres are not just dangerous - they create more resistance to the road and so make the car less efficient.
Stopping at a supermarket to get fuel, I obey another eco-driving edict - not to brim the tank, as this adds extra weight and reduces fuel efficiency. I pump in 35 litres (the tank holds 40). £41.26 - painful, but not as bad as before.
Stopping at a supermarket to get fuel, I obey another eco-driving edict - not to brim the tank, as this adds extra weight and reduces fuel efficiency. I pump in 35 litres (the tank holds 40). £41.26 - painful, but not as bad as before.
In the interests of science, I have decided to drive in my usual manner to Sussex, then eco-drive back to London.
In the interests of science, I have decided to drive in my usual manner to Sussex, then eco-drive back to London.
Ninety minutes after leaving, we're off the dual carriageway and onto a lovely B-road.
Ninety minutes after leaving, we're off the dual carriageway and onto a lovely B-road.
It's a driver's dream. There are fast bends, slow bends, dips, crests. I find myself doing lots of non-eco driving - braking into bends then accelerating out. Overtaking a horse box (albeit safely) was also a bit non-eco.
It's a driver's dream. There are fast bends, slow bends, dips, crests. I find myself doing lots of non-eco driving - braking into bends then accelerating out. Overtaking a horse box (albeit safely) was also a bit non-eco.
We arrive at West Wittering on the coast. Before picnicking on the beach I check the car's computer - 39.2mpg to beat.
We arrive at West Wittering on the coast. Before picnicking on the beach I check the car's computer - 39.2mpg to beat.
LEG TWO: SUSSEX TO LONDON
LEG TWO: SUSSEX TO LONDON
I do have one small caveat for the return leg, and that is the conditions for getting back to London are a lot more favourable than the trip down - it's later in the day and a Sunday. ECO-DRIVING TIPS Change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) or 2,000rpm (diesel)Drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy brakingUse air conditioning sparinglyFaster speeds increase fuel consumptionDrive off immediately after starting from coldTake off roof racks and boxes when not in useAvoid short journeysPlan route to avoid congestion, roadworks and getting lostCheck tyre pressure is correctSwitch off engine if stuck in a jam Source: Energy Saving Trust
I do have one small caveat for the return leg, and that is the conditions for getting back to London are a lot more favourable than the trip down - it's later in the day and a Sunday. ECO-DRIVING TIPS Change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) or 2,000rpm (diesel)Drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy brakingUse air conditioning sparinglyFaster speeds increase fuel consumptionDrive off immediately after starting from coldTake off roof racks and boxes when not in useAvoid short journeysPlan route to avoid congestion, roadworks and getting lostCheck tyre pressure is correctSwitch off engine if stuck in a jam Source: Energy Saving Trust
With 39.2mpg to beat, we head off. The picnic bag is empty and my mother-in-law has received her gifts, so our cargo is possibly a smidgeon lighter.
With 39.2mpg to beat, we head off. The picnic bag is empty and my mother-in-law has received her gifts, so our cargo is possibly a smidgeon lighter.
The central tenet of eco-driving is to get into the higher gears sooner and not to rev the engine too hard.
The central tenet of eco-driving is to get into the higher gears sooner and not to rev the engine too hard.
At 2,500 revs a minute, I change up. And again. And again. So far so good. The road is relatively quiet, there are no speed bumps and few traffic lights.
At 2,500 revs a minute, I change up. And again. And again. So far so good. The road is relatively quiet, there are no speed bumps and few traffic lights.
An eco-driver has to read the road - if you can plan ahead, you won't be accelerating and braking so much, thereby saving fuel and CO2 emissions.
An eco-driver has to read the road - if you can plan ahead, you won't be accelerating and braking so much, thereby saving fuel and CO2 emissions.
Sadly I am a bit poor at this aspect, and miss my turning. Doubling back wastes fuel, pumps out more greenhouse gases, and earns me some wifely derision.
Sadly I am a bit poor at this aspect, and miss my turning. Doubling back wastes fuel, pumps out more greenhouse gases, and earns me some wifely derision.
For as long as I have driven, I've used the gears to slow down. But with eco-driving, the idea is to lift off the gas in a higher gear, and allow the car to lose momentum.
For as long as I have driven, I've used the gears to slow down. But with eco-driving, the idea is to lift off the gas in a higher gear, and allow the car to lose momentum.
If you're a good eco-driver, you'll then select the right gear to smoothly move on, without coming to a halt and having to bury your right foot in the carpet to get going.
If you're a good eco-driver, you'll then select the right gear to smoothly move on, without coming to a halt and having to bury your right foot in the carpet to get going.
Soon, we're cruising along the A3 at a stately 60mph - 10 miles per hour under the speed limit is good for the environment and more miserly on fuel.
Soon, we're cruising along the A3 at a stately 60mph - 10 miles per hour under the speed limit is good for the environment and more miserly on fuel.
Apparently a car's most efficient speeds are between 45-50mph, but at that speed on a dual carriageway I would need a man with a red flag walking in front.
Apparently a car's most efficient speeds are between 45-50mph, but at that speed on a dual carriageway I would need a man with a red flag walking in front.
Fuel-saving wheeze
Fuel-saving wheeze
Even at 60mph, the car's computer relays good news. At one stage I have to blink as the read-out tells me I am achieving 48.7mpg.The eco-driver learns to respect the power of the right pedal
Even at 60mph, the car's computer relays good news. At one stage I have to blink as the read-out tells me I am achieving 48.7mpg.The eco-driver learns to respect the power of the right pedal
I begin to think I can get through the magic 50mpg barrier. That's our house to my folks in Bristol on just two gallons of fuel.
I begin to think I can get through the magic 50mpg barrier. That's our house to my folks in Bristol on just two gallons of fuel.
It's not to be, of course. We get stuck in roadworks.
It's not to be, of course. We get stuck in roadworks.
My eco-driving checklist says to turn the engine off if you're stationary for more than a minute. I do. I also pray that we're not here for long, as I can't make up the time lost by travelling at a fuel efficient 60mph.
My eco-driving checklist says to turn the engine off if you're stationary for more than a minute. I do. I also pray that we're not here for long, as I can't make up the time lost by travelling at a fuel efficient 60mph.
As we move off, the fuel economy drops down to 47.8mpg. Then I remember another of Tim Shallcross's fuel-saving wheezes. If you lift off the gas, keeping the car in a high gear, the engine's computer will stop injecting fuel.
As we move off, the fuel economy drops down to 47.8mpg. Then I remember another of Tim Shallcross's fuel-saving wheezes. If you lift off the gas, keeping the car in a high gear, the engine's computer will stop injecting fuel.
The Surrey hills give me some extra momentum, but the read-out remains resolutely stuck at 47.8mpg.
The Surrey hills give me some extra momentum, but the read-out remains resolutely stuck at 47.8mpg.
Even as we hit London, and the traffic builds and the red lights go against me, I do my best to brake gently, accelerate smoothly and anticipate the road ahead.Reading the road ahead became an obsession during the trip
Even as we hit London, and the traffic builds and the red lights go against me, I do my best to brake gently, accelerate smoothly and anticipate the road ahead.Reading the road ahead became an obsession during the trip
Even in town, with extra traffic and some frankly bonkers driving by others, I'm still on 47.8mpg.
Even in town, with extra traffic and some frankly bonkers driving by others, I'm still on 47.8mpg.
Doing the maths in my head, I realise that eco-driving could potentially deliver a 20% improvement in fuel economy. Beat that, hybrid drivers.
Doing the maths in my head, I realise that eco-driving could potentially deliver a 20% improvement in fuel economy. Beat that, hybrid drivers.
Five minutes from home, my concentration lapses after coming to a gentle, fuel-efficient stop at a red light. I pull away from the lights while still in third gear and stall.
Five minutes from home, my concentration lapses after coming to a gentle, fuel-efficient stop at a red light. I pull away from the lights while still in third gear and stall.
I over-cook the restart, and rev too hard. The computer clicks down to 47.0mpg. I can't get it back now, this close to home, even so I've eeked out another 7.8mpg by eco-driving.
I over-cook the restart, and rev too hard. The computer clicks down to 47.0mpg. I can't get it back now, this close to home, even so I've eked out another 7.8mpg by eco-driving.
I'm doing the same trip again on Friday. I'm going to see if I can better 47.0mpg. Then I'll be well set for getting to my parents and back on half-a-tank.
I'm doing the same trip again on Friday. I'm going to see if I can better 47.0mpg. Then I'll be well set for getting to my parents and back on half-a-tank.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
