Managed to save £12/week average on fuel.

kitchpoo

WatchenDasBlinkenLichten wrote: »

Yeah, I was also considering leaving the spare wheel out of the car, it must weigh at least 25 kilos, however it is reassuring to me knowing it is in the car if I do get a puncture, the idea of being stranded somewhere with a flat isn't a nice one!
.

A tyre foam might save the day, but be aware that once put in the tyre the tyre cant be re-used and needs replacing, so may cost more in the long run.. that one is a gamble. If you do have to replace tyres - look to fit low resistance versions of the same size. The AStra Eco4 ran different (13 or 14") rims with specific thinner profile tyres to increase MPG, this could be done to yours but would require all 4 being changed at the same time so the cost would be prohibitive.

In my student days I used to have to eek fuel, and I can agree with slip streaming lorries, it leaves you little view, but find a good vehicle to follow that allows you to see through it is worth while (minibusses used to be good) but it is intence driving to keep your nerve and whits about you.

Another experiment is to tape up (not with sellotape as it doesnt come off easily) the panel gaps - Formula one do it so it must improve slipstream, remove the car aerial or put a short stub one on for reception, and maybe for the following week run with minimum electrical items on (no aircon, no fan!).

PasturesNew

Only fill up 1/4 or 1/2 at a time if the petrol station you use is en-route.
The weight of the fuel is significant - 1Kg/litre.

So not filling the tank will keep the weight down.

Idiophreak

WatchenDasBlinkenLichten wrote: »

When it came to emptying my car, it was carrying 2 squash rackets, a snooker cue, heavy road atlas, sports bag and a few autotrader magazines.

Just hope you don't get lost

martnava

Hi,
ok, couple points, firstly, why has no one mentioned anything about coasting. I know its slightly dubious to put the car in neutral with the clutch up and just free wheel but it does save loads of fuel yes? I've been doing it for years, shhhh!

Also, somewhat obvious but it is true that having open windows does increase drag on standard cars and therefore increases fuel consumption no?

Also, i read that the correct crusing speed with regards to fuel consumption is about 55mph, is this true? or is it 60?

oh yer, and filling up is supposedly best done when it is cold as u get a few more pence of fuel for your money. Also, its a good idea to use a fuel consumption website to find the cheapest stations near you and some of them have reward schemes if you use their own brand credit cards. For example, asda will give you 2p off the pound i think it is if you buy from their pumps. Think shell has a similar scheme.

:P
Martin.

tomstickland

You can save a similar amount by keeping the car in a high gear and having zero accelerator.

Filling up when its cold means that the fuel pump has contracted so you probably don't get any more fuel for your money.

Conor_3

WatchenDasBlinkenLichten wrote: »

This weeks experiment is slip-streaming
This weeks experiment is to follow those big articulated lorries on the motorway, to see if the reduction in air resistance will make any significant differences. Also of course, the speeds will be reduced down to 60mph or less which I've learnt is the optimum speed to travel regarding mpg.

This is stupid and dangerous. As a HGV driver, if a car is close to the rear of my lorry as they'd need to be to benefit, I CANNOT SEE THEM. Unladen, an artic can outbrake most cars and if a car was to rearend an artic, I doubt the artic driver would notice.

The golden rule when driving in close proximity to lorries is "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you."

Conor_3

martnava wrote: »

Hi,
ok, couple points, firstly, why has no one mentioned anything about coasting. I know its slightly dubious to put the car in neutral with the clutch up and just free wheel but it does save loads of fuel yes? I've been doing it for years, shhhh!

Doesn't save as much as leaving it in gear and coasting would though as when you leave it in gear and don't use the throttle, it completely cuts off fuel to the engine. If you leave it in neutral, it is using enough fuel to keep the engine idling.

greenman7

May I make a suggestion - you seem to be in a fairly long lasting routine:

My daily commute to work is a 70 mile round trip, which is 90% motorway miles.

How about getting together with somebody else travelling in the same direction and sharing expenses? My son did it and saved some money and it is good for the environment.
Well done for everything else - the only thing you have not mentioned is how well maintained your car is, this obviously effects economy. Also hope you have no roof racks etc.

AdrianHi

greenman7 wrote: »

May I make a suggestion - you seem to be in a fairly long lasting routine:



How about getting together with somebody else travelling in the same direction and sharing expenses? My son did it and saved some money and it is good for the environment.
Well done for everything else - the only thing you have not mentioned is how well maintained your car is, this obviously effects economy. Also hope you have no roof racks etc.

Good idea, http://www.liftshare.org/uk/comstart.asp might help with this.