Save fuel now, crash later

Drivers in the US, shocked at fuel costs that have risen to nearly half the price of those in Europe, have taken to using 'hypermiling' techniques to economise. Such techniques involve accelerating gently, minimising use of braking, switching off engines and coasting down gradients. Other more controversial techniques involve inflating tyres to excessive pressures to reduce rolling resistance as well as 'slipstreaming' on highways by driving close to the vehicle in front to reduce air resistance. While wish
July 17, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Drivers in the US, shocked at fuel costs that have risen to nearly half the price of those in Europe, have taken to using 'hypermiling' techniques to economise. Such techniques involve accelerating gently, minimising use of braking, switching off engines and coasting down gradients. Other more controversial techniques involve inflating tyres to excessive pressures to reduce rolling resistance as well as 'slipstreaming' on highways by driving close to the vehicle in front to reduce air resistance. While wishing to save fuel is laudable, US drivers would do well to choose more economical vehicles instead. The cost of crashes caused by over-inflating tyres and driving too close to the vehicle in front will far outweigh the value of the fuel saved.

Related Content

  • Energy Saving Roads - The Future Way of Sustainable Infrastructure
    April 23, 2019
    A workshop into environmentally-friendly road construction was held in Denmark - report from Mikkel Bruun, Bruun Communication Recent advances in road construction have included the development of climate asphalt, which reduces rolling resistance and saves CO2. But what is it and how does it affect the production and use of asphalt pavements? And what are the socio-economic implications? The ROSE project that just ended with a workshop in Copenhagen might hold the answers. The rule of thumb is that lo
    Read More
  • Komatsu’s new to Europe HM300-5 ADT
    February 19, 2015
    Komatsu’s new HM300-5 Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) is powered by a 242kW EU Stage IV emissions standard Komatsu SAA6D125E-7 engine. The HM300-5 has a maximum 28tonne payload and a body capacity (heaped) of 17.1m³. The ADT’s loading height is only 2.83m, which enables easy and quick loading. Additionally, the two single-staged body lift cylinders provide a 70° dump angle. Selectable working modes allow the operator to choose between Economy and Power modes to tailor machine performance to the application or
    Read More
  • Komatsu’s new to Europe HM300-5 ADT
    January 6, 2017
    Komatsu’s new HM300-5 Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) is powered by a 242kW EU Stage IV emissions standard Komatsu SAA6D125E-7 engine. The HM300-5 has a maximum 28tonne payload and a body capacity (heaped) of 17.1m³. The ADT’s loading height is only 2.83m, which enables easy and quick loading. Additionally, the two single-staged body lift cylinders provide a 70° dump angle. Selectable working modes allow the operator to choose between Economy and Power modes to tailor machine performance to the application or
    Read More
  • Pan-European enforcement of driving laws due
    August 27, 2013
    Agreements are being reached that will see Pan-European enforcement of driving regulations. Drivers will now face being penalised for any offences committed in other European countries. The change is due on 7th November 2013. After this date EU Member States will commence the cross border exchange of data relating to road traffic offences. For this scheme to work, eight offences have been listed in the data exchange programme. These are; speeding, not using a seatbelt, red light running, drink driving, driv
    Read More

Highlighted Content