Ford India shares tips for eco-friendly and efficient driving
No matter how good your car is, how good the engine it has or how sleek the aerodynamic design is, if the person behind the wheel does not know how to drive it properly, then all the efficiency the vehicle is supposed to have goes down the drain.
Poor driving habits lead to more fuel being consumed for the same drive and can be more polluting than the vehicle itself. Very few vehicle users realize that good driving habits are the best way to save the world!
Ford has done a few studies on vehicle drivers and has found that driving style has a strong influence on fuel consumption and CO2 per kilometer. By adopting a better driving style, drivers can reduce their fuel bill and emissions by as much as 25% when compared to regular drivers.
To emphasize this statement much harder and deeper into the minds of vehicle users, Ford Motor Company, India has shared a few important tips.
Drive smoothly
Aggressive driving such as rapid acceleration, speeding and braking can lower your fuel mileage significantly. So, accelerate smoothly, brake softer and earlier, and stay in one lane while it’s safe to do so. Not only do these driving techniques save fuel, they can prolong the life of your brakes and tires.
Slow down
Speeding wastes lots of fuel. By driving 90km/h instead of 100km/h you can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 10-15 percent. Also, aim for a constant speed. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine, emptying the tank faster. Using cruise control whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speed and conserve fuel.
No idling
Today’s engines don’t need a warm up. Start the car immediately and gently drive away. Don’t leave your car idling. Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine off whenever it is safe to do so, such as when stationary for more than 30 seconds. This avoids unnecessary energy consumption of an idle running engine.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Reducing the amount of cargo you keep in your trunk or back seat can improve your fuel efficiency as less energy is needed for acceleration. Try to travel as light as possible, keep only the most important items (like an emergency kit, jumper cables, a small toolset, and a small jack) in the vehicle.
Reduce aerodynamic drag
Your vehicle is designed for good aerodynamics – but attaching a huge carrier or bike to the roof adds more wind resistance. If you spend lots of time on the highway or are planning a long trip, try to transport extra items inside the vehicle or attached to the rear. Keeping your windows and sunroof closed can lower wind resistance too. You will have less drag, and better fuel economy.
Only use A/C on the highway
Your fuel economy drops by up to 15 percent when you use the air conditioner at low speeds. So if it isn’t too hot, turn off the air conditioner when driving around town, and roll down your windows instead. However, at 90km/h or higher, using the air conditioner is preferable to open windows for two reasons: Your vehicle has much lower wind resistance with the windows closed. And because the engine produces more power at higher revs, it’s able to run accessories like the A/C compressor more efficiently.
Use cruise control
Activating your cruise control keeps you from mindlessly driving faster and with lower fuel efficiency, maintains a constant speed, and won’t use additional fuel while accelerating. Try to set your cruise control at your vehicle’s most fuel-efficient speed, as long as it’s at or below the legal limit.
Combine trips
Many short trips will use more fuel than a single, longer trip. So when you have to drive for errands, get as many accomplished as you can in one trip to maximize your fuel economy.
You can also watch the video made by Ford to emphasize right driving practices.
