Habits that help save 25% on fuel costs

Ford recently released the results of a study on the impact of driving techniques on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per kilometer. The studies show that by adopting environmentally friendly driving techniques, drivers can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 25% compared to normal driving. Even small changes in the way you drive can have a big impact on fuel economy.

“People are willing to go the extra mile to get something cheaper without realizing that when they drive, they waste a lot more fuel,” said Adam Smith, Ford’s Director of Fuel Economy Engineering – one of Ford’s leading fuel economy experts in Asia Pacific. “Smart driving not only saves you fuel and money, but also helps protect the environment and makes the roads safer for everyone.”

So, it is clear that your daily driving habits, without even realizing it, are contributing to your “throwing money out the window”. Most people think that whether a car is fuel-efficient or not depends entirely on the manufacturer, not knowing that proper driving habits are the best way to help you reduce fuel costs effectively. Therefore, in fact, just a few simple tips can help you drive more fuel-efficiently and be more environmentally friendly.

Drive slowly

Driving habits such as speeding and hard braking can increase fuel consumption. So, unless it is an emergency, accelerate gently, brake early and smoothly, and avoid changing lanes if it is safe to do so. This will not only save you fuel, but will also help extend the life of your brakes and tires.

Drive slow

Driving at high speeds wastes a lot of fuel. By driving 90 km/h instead of 100 km/h, you save 10 to 15% on fuel. Also, drive at a steady speed. Every time you press down on the accelerator, more fuel is pumped into the engine, sometimes more than necessary. Using Cruise Control whenever possible on the highway will help you maintain a steady speed and save fuel.

Turn off the engine when idling

Nowadays, engines do not need to warm up. You should move the car immediately after starting it, avoid idling the engine. Starting the engine while waiting will increase emissions and consume fuel. In case it is not necessary, turn off the engine if the car is stationary for more than 30 seconds to avoid wasting fuel.

Cut down on unnecessary goods

The lighter the cargo in the bed or inside the vehicle, the less fuel is needed to accelerate. Try to travel with as little as possible, keeping only essential items (e.g., first aid kit, jumper cables, compact tool kit, and a small jack) in the vehicle.

Reduce wind resistance

Your vehicle is designed to minimize wind resistance. Therefore, loading a large object or a bicycle on the roof will greatly increase wind resistance. If you are going on a long trip, try to arrange the items in the trunk or secure them to the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, closing the side windows and sunroof will also help reduce wind resistance. Less resistance means more fuel economy.

When the weather is cool, only turn on the air conditioner on the highway.

Turning on the air conditioning at low temperatures uses about 15% more fuel. So if it’s not too hot, roll down the windows and turn off the air conditioning when driving around town. However, when driving at speeds above 90km/h, closing the windows and turning on the air conditioning is a more reasonable decision for two reasons: One is to improve the aerodynamics of the car, and two is because at high rpm, the engine produces enough power for the air conditioning system to operate effectively.

Use cruise control

Activating the Cruise Control system not only frees your feet when driving at high speeds, but also helps increase fuel economy, maintaining a steady speed and not wasting fuel when accelerating. Set the system to the speed that gives your car the best fuel economy, as long as you do not exceed the prescribed speed.

Tackle multiple tasks on one trip

Traveling multiple short distances uses more fuel than one long distance. So when you’re on the go, combine other errands along the way to get the most out of your fuel. Watch Ford’s “Ways to Save Fuel” video here.

Car maintenance is the best way to save fuel

How you maintain your vehicle also has a significant impact on fuel economy. When your vehicle is running at its best, fuel consumption is kept to a minimum. In addition to the routine maintenance techniques that many people are familiar with, replacing worn fuel filters or spark plugs, wheel alignments, and exhaust systems all contribute to fuel economy. Vehicle maintenance procedures and driving habits can increase fuel economy by up to 25%.

Keep your car engine "healthy"

When a vehicle breaks down or fails an emissions test, a thorough repair can improve fuel economy by an average of 4%. In particular, replacing a faulty oxygen sensor in the engine can improve fuel economy by 40%.

Maintain standard tire pressure

Tires inflated to the correct pressure will help you drive more safely, steer more accurately, last longer and save more fuel. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in your owner's manual or on the driver's door, door pillar or glove box. Be careful not to inflate your tires beyond the recommended pressure, as over-inflating them will reduce traction and tire life.

Use recommended engine oil

Using the oil recommended by the manufacturer (as specified in the owner's manual) will help the lubrication system operate at maximum efficiency. Using the wrong oil can reduce fuel economy by up to 2%.

Of course, the design of the car also makes a big difference. Ford itself, like many other manufacturers, is constantly going further in the journey to bring customers different fuel choices, increasing fuel economy for current car models or electric cars. Of which, turbocharging solutions for large capacity engines like EcoBoost are a typical example.

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