Does driving slowly save fuel?
Many car drivers pass on to each other the secret of driving slowly to save fuel. However, is this really true?
Along with choosing the model and version; driving properly can also help car owners save fuel significantly. Among the driving tips, recently many drivers have been telling each other the trick of driving slowly to help the car consume less fuel. However, is this really true?
According to many experts in the automotive industry, driving slowly will save fuel is a subjective, emotional and unfounded thought of many drivers. Because, in reality, there is no general rule that applies to all types of cars, related to speed to optimize fuel economy. Each car model will have its own technical parameters and are completely different. Therefore, the speed to optimize fuel consumption is also different.
In addition, experts also say that when driving too slowly, the engine will usually rotate at a low rpm, fluctuating between 1,000 - 3,000 rpm. At this time, the car will run in a low gear, the engine rotation speed per km will be greater. This causes the engine to burn more fuel to meet each rotation cycle.
However, if you are travelling at high speeds, the advantage is that the car will shift into a higher gear, but still maintain the engine speed between 1,000 - 3,000 rpm. In theory, this will help consume less fuel. However, the higher the speed, the more problems will appear, affecting the fuel consumption index. That is air resistance.
Simply put, when the car moves fast, the air resistance will also increase significantly. At this time, the engine will have to work harder to overcome the resistance. Therefore, the fuel consumption will also increase and depending on the car model and design, with different aerodynamic indexes.
Because it depends on many factors, it is difficult to confirm whether driving fast or slow will help save fuel. This also means that driving slowly will not necessarily help drivers save fuel.
Some "tips" to help save fuel?
As mentioned, besides the model and type of vehicle; driving properly and skillfully will also help drivers save a significant amount of money. Therefore, instead of trying to drive slowly, there are still many other "secrets" to optimize fuel consumption.
The first thing is to calculate and choose a convenient route when traveling. Especially in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, traffic jams often occur. If you travel by car, you should choose the shortest route with less congestion. This will help the car consume less fuel.
In addition, drivers should consider and remove unnecessary goods and items from the car. The reason is that often leaving many unnecessary items and goods in the car will make the car heavier, when moving... the car needs more energy from the engine to operate, leading to more fuel consumption.
Another tip to help save fuel effectively is the habit of driving slowly. Obviously, controlling speed and distance when driving plays a very important role. Especially when traveling in the inner city, you should pay attention to observe if there is a traffic light or a lot of traffic ahead, the driver should estimate the distance to keep the car going at a steady speed, avoiding the case of losing momentum, stopping and having to step on the gas to regain momentum.
Nowadays, many car models are equipped with Cruise Control system. If you drive on highways or high-speed roads, you should use it to help the car maintain a steady speed and save more fuel.
In addition, another "secret" that drivers need to know to save fuel is to ensure regular maintenance and care for the vehicle. It is no coincidence that car manufacturers often set periodic maintenance schedules or mileage limits for each vehicle model. Because over time, some parts in the engine and car filters will become dirty and gradually degrade... causing the vehicle to operate unstably and consume more fuel.
