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

  • Back-seat driver?
    July 17, 2012
    A sophisticated Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) will be fitted to some models of cars that will be able to nag drivers about their poor driving technique. The system can tell drivers to change gears to improve fuel economy and sound collision warnings or provide damage alerts. In addition, the package can also generate a three-dimensional view of the route ahead, showing gradients, obstacles and road width. Use of this technology is hoped to prevent drivers from selecting routes that are unsuitable
    Read More
  • Chinese Government providing incentives for Beijing electric car customers
    May 22, 2015
    The Chinese Government is adding initial incentives to customers for electric vehicles (EVs) in capital Beijing. Car buyers in the Chinese capital typically face high costs as well as restrictions on when their vehicles can be used. Cars with odd or even numbers on their licence plates can currently only be used on alternate days. However the city’s authorities are providing an additional incentive for customers to purchase EVs instead of conventional combustion engine vehicles by relaxing these constraints
    Read More
  • Phone use at the wheel not smart
    July 13, 2017
    Research carried out for the UK driver’s association the RAC shows that even tougher new penalties are failing to dissuade those at the wheel from using phones. The research has shown that 60% of drivers believe being the cause of a crash would make them stop using phones while driving. According to the RAC, too many drivers remain unaware of the dangers of cell phone use while behind the wheel. And 86% of drivers admitting phone use at the wheel said they would stop doing so.
    Read More
  • New asphalt paving technologies boost performance
    February 28, 2012
    Sophisticated new paving technologies are coming to market that will help boost quality and performance. New paving technologies are being introduced to meet the differing demands of both North American and European customers. Although North American and European paving techniques do vary, there are also some control technologies being introduced that will help quality for both approaches.
    Read More

Highlighted Content