fuel economizing driving technique?

**ARB** · December 29th, 2003 02:47 PM

maybe lube the bearings, the rings i think dont have lubrication in them that is why there is the last oil ring so that oil will not go to the combustion chamber. please correct me guys if im wrong.

**OTEP** · December 29th, 2003 03:06 PM

You can shift earlier or skip gears so long as you do not lug the engine. Pretty easy with a diesel. Pero kapag gasoline ang makina mo, patay ka na.

Large displacement diesels like that on my old 300D are pretty hard to lug. You can drive it in traffic in 2nd gear practically all day long because of the abundant torque.

**notEworthy27** · December 29th, 2003 10:51 PM

how would you know if you're lugging the engine? :D nyahaha! newbie ako sa driving. ;)

**Ungas** · December 30th, 2003 12:40 AM

Lugging is premature upshift. Lacking momentum to start at a higher gear that the engine vibrates excessively, gets?

**notEworthy27** · December 31st, 2003 04:39 AM

GETS! :D

**RDL4D56** · April 5th, 2004 11:32 AM

does shifting to nuetral (using the vehicles inertia) on highway at 80-90kph, then pshing back up when getting down to 65-70kph help in economizing? isn't this like idling your engine thus consumes fuel uneccessarily?

**zero** · April 5th, 2004 12:12 PM

dapat rin, maaga ka pumunta sa pupuntahan mo para hindi ka pressured at nagmamadali sa pagmamaneho.

**ian_rex** · April 5th, 2004 12:27 PM

Keep the engine tuned-up regularly. A well-maintained vehicle is most likely to consume less amount of fuel as compared neglected one, since keeping the engine in top shape means that the engine runs efficiently and optimally thus consuming very little fuel to produce the needed power.

Have the correct tire pressure for your vehicle. This is subject to manufacturer’s recommendation for various cars. But the logic of having a correct tire pressure is that it helps lessen the rolling resistance (or the ability of the tire to run). If the tire pressure is too low, then it strains the engine to roll the tire in order to move. If the tire pressure is too high, then the ride might a little uncomfortable and there is less surface contact between the tire and the pavement.

Try to maintain a cruise speed and avoid abrupt start and braking. When driving, try to maintain a cruising speed rather than accelerating and decelerating frequently. This adds up to the engine strain that is a very great factor for excessive fuel consumption. Also, try to ‘move on a straight line by keeping your lane’, and avoid swerving. Theoretically, when an object is moving on a straight path, then suddenly turned either left or right, it will have to accelerate again in order to keep the constant speed (based on physics: uniform circular motion; an object moving in a circular path is constantly accelerating).

When driving on highways, if possible, keep the air conditioner turned on. This might sound absurd, but when driving on the highway where engine speed is at mid-range to high-range rpm, there is enough inertia generated by the engine to turn the air conditioner compressor as compared when in low-range rpm. Thus, taking advantage of this inertia, theoretically helps. Also, keep the windows rolled-up to reduce the drag coming form the outside of the car.

Whenever possible, don’t “over-rev” the engine and accelerate smoothly. Ease up that gas pedal. Over revving doesn’t help achieving your desired speed. Instead, accelerate and shift into highest gear possible. Change gears smoothly, by doing so, it achieves the optimum power and acceleration.

Plan your trips accordingly. Planning your trips to a particular destination not only saves gas but also time. Since “stop and go” traffic” is a great factor in fuel consumption but also in engine wear as well. Also, do remember to bring all the errands in a one trip whenever possible.

Reduce the unnecessary load and accessories that may impede the wind resistance. Roof caddies are known to contribute to excessive fuel consumption, whenever possible try to remove it (if so equipped). This causes unnecessary wind resistance. Same with rear spoilers, it is very impractical to use this (except when originally equipped) because of the traffic situation here in Manila. Also check the underside of your vehicle for mud and dirt. During the rainy season, when soaked this dirt and mud becomes somewhat heavier (just like lifting a pail of water), thus adding to the load of the vehicle.

“Coffee Cup in the Dash” Principle – The principle is to have an imaginary “coffee cup full of coffee” in the dashboard without spilling the content.