Every driver has an individual driving style. However, it is not always beneficial to our vehicle and environment. How to change it?
Ecodriving is a technique of driving a car, which basic assumption is to save money. It should be remembered, however, that economical driving is also ecological. Benefits will feel not only our wallet, but also the environment. Just conscientiously observe a few important rules, and the economy of our driving will stand on a much higher level. Fuel consumption mainly depends on the skills and habits of the driver.
The cars produced today, thanks to their design, allow for dynamic starting without the need to overheat the engine. In the past it was necessary to “start the engine” beforehand. This resulted in the consumption of large amounts of fuel. One of the basic rules of ecodriving is therefore the fastest possible start
When driving, the engine should operate within the optimum rpm range. This can be controlled by watching the tachometer – the appropriate range is marked in green. During longer trips it’s a good idea to use cruise control. This is a device that automatically stabilizes the speed and engine speed regardless of the slope of the route you are traveling. Keeping the speed constant and the revs low will help reduce fuel consumption – you can really save a lot of money by using cruise control.
Engine braking is a skill that every driver should have. It not only saves fuel, but also extends the life of the braking system. The technique involves the gradual reduction of gears so that the speed of the vehicle is lost. During such braking, the combustion is at zero, because the injectors do not work. Situations in which this technique can be used are numerous – for example, approaching intersections or traffic lights.
The engine should be switched off during even the shortest of stops. This includes standing in traffic, waiting at traffic lights or at a railroad crossing.
If your car is not equipped with tire pressure sensors, you should check it yourself at least once every 2-3 months. A drop in tire pressure increases fuel consumption by several percent and reduces tire life by almost a third. Under-inflated tires can also be dangerous, increasing braking distances and decreasing vehicle traction.
The heavier the load on the vehicle, the more power will be needed to reach a certain speed. Excessive luggage will have a negative impact on fuel consumption.
The fashion for ecodriving emerged several years ago, along with an increased awareness of the emission of harmful substances by cars. This technique has both supporters and opponents. In practice, it turns out that fewer and fewer people use it. What is the reason for this?
Economical driving may turn out to be more expensive than it seems. It may happen that the money saved on fuel will be very quickly spent in the garage.
In many cars, the optimum revs are calibrated so that they are only slightly above idle speed. When the accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine may start to vibrate. This means it is running under too much load, and combined with low RPMs, this can pose a direct threat to both the engine and driver safety. Driving too economically can further shorten the life of the torsional vibration damper.
Also exposed units are turbochargers, especially those with variable geometry, and the exhaust system. Careless driving can lead to clogging of the exhaust gas recirculation valve, catalytic converters and filters. Therefore, the exhaust system should be “blown out” once in a while.
As you can see, eco-driving does not always have to be profitable. The list of parts that can be damaged is really long, and these examples are just a drop in the ocean. So how do you drive properly?
The most important thing is to be sensible and avoid going from one extreme to the other. Driving too gently or too aggressively can damage your vehicle and your wallet. Driving smoothly and avoiding sudden braking and accelerating is the key to success. Ecodriving does not have to be destructive – just take care of some basic issues
(photo: pixabay.com)
