Why does driving slower save fuel

Driving on a highway? Going slower technically saves fuel because at high speed your engine needs to work harder to overcome drag from wind resistance, your tyres and transmission, and that drag increases exponentially the faster you go. Reduce your speed, then less power and thus fuel needs to be expended to overcome that drag. Simple, right? However, travelling at a slower speed also means your journey takes more time, so your engine is burning fuel for longer than it otherwise would.

To be a fuel efficient driver, leave an even bigger gap of five to ten seconds. Aerodynamic car designs are a big reason why cars have become more fuel efficient over the last few decades. Anything on the outside of a car will increase drag, which decreases your fuel efficiency. Cars waste fuel idling, but they use a negligible amount of fuel starting up. Rolling on hard tyres is a tried and tested way to increase your fuel efficiency while driving.

The US Department of Energy says for every 1 psi your tyres are under-inflated, you can lose 0. For the most fuel efficient driving, you should keep your tyres inflated to the recommended pressure on the tyre wall. Of course, Australia is a hot country, so sometimes cooling the car down is needed! At lower speeds, wind down the windows and let some moving air cool down the car instead. You might even be in a position to get rid of your car altogether. GoGet Car Share helps tens of thousands of Australians live without owning a car… they use public and active transport most of the time, then use GoGet on the odd occasion they need to drive somewhere.

These 8 tips to fuel efficient driving are all simple, but may be hard to master all at once. Then focus on one or two more. That will get you most of the way to being an incredibly fuel efficient driver, saving the environment while saving you time and money! Join Log In. GoGet Blog. Fuel Efficient Driving How to save fuel when driving Posted: 3 years ago.

Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly providing instant driver feedback through in-vehicle displays. For example, Honda's Eco Assist and HondaLink features involve a sophisticated feedback system that teaches drivers how to drive more efficiently and what behaviors affect their fuel economy. Aftermarket feedback devices are also available. More in this section Techniques for Drivers to Conserve Fuel Drivers can conserve fuel by learning how different driving behaviors affect fuel economy and by adopting techniques to save fuel and money.

Slow Down and Drive Conservatively. More Resources FuelEconomy.