JOHN and Helen Taylor are in the Guinness Book of World Record for their achievements in fuel efficiency and one of their biggest accomplishments is their travel across 25 countries with only 24 tank refuelling.
The couple were present at the Shell Eco-Marathon 2009 to share their experience and these Shell FuelSave tips, which they believe if followed closely, could help drivers save up to 10% of fuel.
Drive smoothly, drive safely
Aggressive driving can use as much as a third more fuel than safe driving. Avoid accelerating or slamming on the brakes too hard and try to keep your steering as smooth as possible.
Right pressure
Always check that your tyres have the right pressure, not only to ensure that they last longer, but to also help with fuel efficiency.
Regular servicing
Tune your engine regularly as it could improve fuel economy. Change your oil and follow your car manufacturer's recommendation on servicing.
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John and Helen Taylor talk about their shell challenge trip around the world. |
No excess weight
Adding unnecessary weight (golf set, tool box, etc) would only make your vehicle heavier and you would need more fuel to maintain speed.
Use higher gears and avoid over-revving The higher gear you drive in the lower your engine speed is, which can improve fuel efficiency.
So, change up a gear whenever you can, without labouring the engine. Change gear in good time when you pull away or when you're accelerating.
Avoid high speed
The faster you go the more wind resistance you'll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed.
Use air-conditioning sparingly
Air-conditioning puts added strain on the engine and uses fuel to operate, so limit use to particularly hot days.
On temperate days try to use the fan instead.
Avoid excess idling
Idling burns fuel unnecessarily. Turn the engine off when you're in a queue, or waiting for someone.
Plan trips carefully
Cutting down on the time spent in the car is the easiest way to conserve fuel. To reduce driving time, combine all your short trips and errands into a single journey.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Rage: Stories: Issues 19 May 2009
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