Efficient Mototring: Part 1

Efficient Motoring

No, you don’t have to ride a horse, take the bus, or buy a hybrid go-cart that runs on tulips and puppy-dog snot. There are several methods you can apply to your everyday driving skills that can make you feel less like you’re being ripped off by that petrol spitting one-armed bandit. Hybrid drivers can certainly employ these tips as well. After-all, they don’t get that great gas mileage just by having a few batteries and an electric motor. They have to change their driving styles too.

Know Your Vehicle

• Speed / RPM Relationship: low RPMs = less fuel consumption

Your tachometer isn’t just there for looks. It provides vital information that you can use to improve mileage. Observe the speeds at which your vehicle’s engine remains in a relatively low RPM range (1250-2000 rpm depending on your engine). Try to maintain these speeds whenever possible. You may find that these speeds correspond with common speed limits, or are within 5mph slower or faster.

This is especially true on the freeway. Here in Michigan the limit is 70mph, yet many take the risk of going 80 (myself included). But not only is it not worth the potential speeding ticket, it’s not worth the extra gas. In my vehicle 80mph = 2200rpm, while 70mph = 1650rpm, and even lower at 65.

• Effective Cornering = less braking + less acceleration

This is a maneuver I use whenever possible. It became so in-depth that I wrote an entire blog post about it. Please check it for details. It's a maneuver in which you round a corner at the highest comfortable speed in order to reduce braking while entering the corner, maintain momentum through, and reduce acceleration after exiting the corner. Race-car drivers employ this technique to maintain high speeds. But you can use it to save fuel and improve brake life. Plus it can be exhilarating, if you’re into that sort of thing.

• Learn to change your own tires, diagnose, and troubleshoot car problems

Learning to change your own tires can save you costly tow-truck fees or expensive roadside service plans. Having the knowledge, time, and tools to change a tire also can save money when it comes time to rotate those tires.

Learning to diagnose vehicle problems can also save you service dollars. Knowing the difference between battery failure and ignition failure can save you a trip in a tow-truck and the astronomical hourly fees at the shop. Simply reading your owners’ manual cover to cover can fill you with a wealth of knowledge. And who knows, eventually you may even become knowledgeable enough to fix and maintain your own car.