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FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING |
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With the rising cost of fuel what can you
do to improve the miles per gallon of your vehicle?
The basic rules to saving fuel are good anticipation and
planning and how you use the controls and gears of your
vehicle. Here are some basic driving tips that will not
only save you fuel but will reduce wear and tear on other
components of your vehicle.
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TYRE INFLATION |
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Check that your tyres are in good condition and correctly
inflated. Check the pressure when the tyres are cold (before
your journey). You may have to adjust the pressure depending
on the number of passengers or type of load you carry
in the vehicle. If most of your driving is on high speed
roads you may have to adjust the pressure. Check your
vehicle handbook. |
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UNNECESSARY LOADS |
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Remove ladder racks or roof boxes when not in use. These
increase fuel consumption. Remove any unnecessary items
from the boot. Extra weight increases fuel consumption. |
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SPEED |
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The faster you drive, the more fuel you burn. Reduce
your speed and save fuel. At 60 M.P.H. you could save
up to 9% of the fuel you burn when travelling at 70 M.P.H. |
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ANTICIPATION |
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Do not use the controls as on and off switches. Plan
well ahead and anticipate the actions of other road users.
Develop Acceleration Sense to control the speed of your
vehicle. This will replace braking which is not always
required. If you need to slow or stop extend the distance
you would normally use to achieve this. |
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ACCELERATION SENSE |
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This is the ability to control the speed of the vehicle
by accurate use of the accelerator when normal braking
is not required. You can use this when approaching all
hazards, in particular bends and built up areas. Consider
a three stage approach to any hazard:
1. Off the Gas
2. Cover the brake
3. Brake if you need to do so
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USE OF GEARS |
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Gears are to make us ‘Go’ and not to make
us ‘Slow’. Use Block Gear changes when changing
up and down the gears. There is no need to use intermediate
gears when slowing or stopping or accelerating in some
circumstances. Do not use the gears to slow the vehicle.
Use ‘Acceleration Sense’ followed by braking.
The only exception is when travelling on a slippery road
surface, in these conditions consider Sequential Gear
changes. |
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STOPPING |
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If you are held up at a railway crossing or other temporary
traffic situation consider turning your engine off. If
you are at a standstill for more than a couple of minutes
you will save fuel. Some vehicle are fitted with Start/Stop
technology. Use this appropriately. Consider if your stop
is short or long. |
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PARKING |
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Consider reversing into parking places and driveways.
Reversing out of these is often more difficult and wastes
fuel, especially if reversing uphill. |
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Try to implement some of these
basic skills into your everyday driving. Look well ahead
and get out off the gas as things develop. Develop your
‘Acceleration Sense’ and reduce the number
of gear changes. Should you wish to learn the Advanced
Police System of driving and fully develop these Eco Driving
skills do not hesitate to contact us. |
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