Notably, driving habits significantly impact fuel consumption, influencing both economic and environmental factors.
Common behaviors such as aggressive acceleration, excessive idling and poor vehicle maintenance can lead to increased fuel usage.
However, understanding these habits is crucial for drivers aiming to enhance fuel efficiency and save more as a result.
In this article, WoK seeks to explore habits that are will increase your car’s fuel consumption.
1. Aggressive driving
Aggressive driving, characterized by rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding, can significantly increase fuel consumption.
Such driving behaviors can lead to fuel economy reductions of 10% to 40%, depending on driving conditions.
This inefficiency arises because aggressive maneuvers require more energy, causing the engine to work harder and consume more fuel.
Additionally, frequent harsh driving can accelerate wear on vehicle components, further compounding fuel inefficiency and maintenance costs.
2. Speeding
Speeding significantly increases a vehicle’s fuel consumption due to several factors.
At higher speeds, aerodynamic drag increases, which requires more power from the engine, leading to greater fuel use.
For instance, driving at 120 km/h can consume about 20% more fuel than at 100 km/h.
Additionally, rapid acceleration and abrupt braking waste fuel, with studies showing that maintaining a steady speed is more efficient.
Generally, vehicles are most fuel-efficient between 50 and 80 km/h, and exceeding this range can reduce fuel economy by 7% to 14%.
3. Idling
When a vehicle idles, it consumes fuel without moving, leading to wasteful fuel use.
For example, an idling vehicle can use between 0.76 to 2.65 liters of fuel per hour, while diesel trucks can burn about 4 liters per hour.
Moreover, idling causes incomplete fuel combustion, leading to carbon residue buildup that damages engine components.
Restarting the engine after a short stop is often more fuel-efficient than idling for over 10 seconds.
4. Excessive use of air-conditioning
Excessive use of air-conditioning in vehicles can increase fuel consumption by approximately 8-10% due to the additional power required to operate the AC compressor, which is driven by the engine.
This extra load forces the engine to work harder, consuming more fuel.
At lower speeds, it’s often more fuel-efficient to open windows, while at higher speeds, using air conditioning becomes preferable to reduce aerodynamic drag from open windows.
5. Improper tyre inflation
A 10% under-inflation can raise fuel usage by approximately 2%, while a 20% under-inflation can lead to a 4% increase.
Each 1 PSI drop in tyre pressure can reduce gas mileage by 0.2%.
This inefficiency arises due to higher rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder, thereby consuming more fuel.
Maintaining proper tyre pressure is crucial for optimizing fuel economy and vehicle safety.
6. Poor vehicle maintenance
Poor vehicle maintenance significantly increases fuel consumption due to several interrelated factors. One of the primary issues is engine performance.
When maintenance is neglected, such as failing to replace spark plugs or air filters, the engine may struggle to achieve efficient fuel combustion.
This inefficiency can lead to increased fuel consumption, potentially rising by as much as 10%.
Another critical aspect is tire condition. Under-inflated or worn tires create greater rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder to maintain speed.
This additional effort can raise fuel consumption by approximately 3% to 5%.
The quality of engine oil also plays a vital role in fuel efficiency. Using old or incorrect engine oil increases friction within the engine components, which can lead to higher fuel usage.
Additionally, alignment issues can further exacerbate fuel inefficiency.
Misaligned wheels not only affect handling and safety but can also increase fuel consumption by an additional 2% to 3%.
7. Carrying excessive weight
Each additional kilogram requires more energy to move, leading to higher fuel usage.
Studies indicate that removing 45 Kgs can improve fuel economy by 1-2%.
The engine must work harder to accelerate and maintain speed, and heavier vehicles also face increased rolling resistance and braking energy demands.
Therefore, minimizing unnecessary weight is crucial for optimizing fuel efficiency and reducing costs.
8. Poor route planning
Poor route planning significantly increases a vehicle’s fuel consumption due to several interconnected factors.
One of the primary issues is that inefficient routes often involve unnecessary detours, leading to longer travel distances.
When drivers take longer paths to reach their destinations, they naturally consume more fuel.
Additionally, routes that pass through high-traffic areas contribute to increased fuel consumption. In congested traffic, vehicles frequently stop and start, which elevates fuel use compared to more consistent driving speeds.
This constant acceleration and deceleration not only wastes fuel but also increases wear and tear on the vehicle.
Another aspect of poor route planning is the potential for suboptimal driving conditions. Routes that include many traffic signals or steep inclines demand more energy, further exacerbating fuel waste.
Vehicles tend to consume more fuel when navigating challenging terrains or when forced to slow down for traffic signals.
