Ways to improve MPG?

[Jacobthechap]

I know this is not very pistonheadish but I have recently started to see how many miles I can squeeze from my almera (1.6) - please forgive me I am a student!

I have heard of such tips as taking your shoes off, coasting whenever possible etc but I was wondering how much more can be done so I have to spend less time in the petrol station?! any suggestions/tips/techniques??

[C2james]

Yay another secret thread.

[Fun Bus]

Jacobthechap said:

I have heard of such tips as taking your shoes off,

Christ, I think I've heard it all. I thought folding your back seats down to save fuel was mad.

Personally I think it can become too much of an obsession the desire to save fuel. I prefer to just be aware of my driving style, sppropriate gear selection etc.

[PoleDriver]

After asking the mods to give your thread a title so that others can find it!

1) Keep tyre pressures correct.
2) Anticipation! reduce the amount of times you need to brake.
3) Keep windows closed.
4) Keep aircon turned off.
5) Turn any unnecessary electrical items off.
6) Check brakes are not binding.
7) Check wheel alignment is correct.
8) Remove anything non-essential from the car.

+ many more

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I love a good title-less thread

[Colonial]

0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa said:

I love a good title-less thread

So do I.

Have you found a good title-less thread recently? I have only come across this one.

[jagnet]

Make sure that the car is in good fettle as mentioned above (tyre pressures, wheel alignment, etc). Then spend some time on driver training, such as the IAM. The fuel savings you'll get from learning to look ahead and anticipate will be far more substantial than not wearing shoes, and your passengers will probably be happier too

[Davie_GLA]

You know. I've been up and working from 4am. My mood was crap until i got the server that was gubbed handed back to production. That lightened my mod slightly.

Taking your shoes off to save fuel has just made my day and it's only ten past 8. Superb.

Edited by Davie_GLA on Friday 2nd September 08:23

[Big Rod]

Isn't it illegal to drive without appropriate footwear?

Or was that something I

a) heard in a pub
b) dreamt
c) made up
d) read in NOTW/DM

?

[mnkiboy]

Any weight saving will improve fuel economy. Therefore removing shoes is a good idea. Infact, go all the way and remove all your clothes. But only if you're female.

[Davie_GLA]

mnkiboy said:

Any weight saving will improve fuel economy. Therefore removing shoes is a good idea. Infact, go all the way and remove all your clothes. But only if you're female.

And walk from your car to your destination bare foot?

[LeoSayer]

Don't drive above 60mph.

[page3]

LeoSayer said:

Don't drive above 60mph.

Or below 30mph. And ignore traffic lights.

[paulmoonraker]

Jacobthechap said:

I have heard of such tips as taking your shoes off...

What?!? How does that help?

Cut a hole in the floor pan and run at the same time. Do it both sides so the Wife can help...

[paulmoonraker]

Big Rod said:

Isn't it illegal to drive without appropriate footwear?

My dad thought this, and that it was also illegal to drive with the interior light on... I think both was bks... But would like it confirmed

[anonymous-user]

Walk to your destination.

[MattOz]

You could always drop the back seats down as this helps aerodynamics, apparently.

[Riknos]

Easy, obvious things:

1. Don't always accelerate. (the amount of people who think a car can only be driving by either accelerating or braking is shocking!)
2. Don't brake unless you have to.
3. Make sure tyre pressures are correct.

Something that will make significant changes, and will make you look like some bad-ass track driver in the process:

Remove all the interior. All the seats, the spare wheel (can of tyre weld in it's place) door cards, as much dash board as you can stomach, carpets etc.. it all adds up over time.

[XitUp]

Fun Bus said:

Jacobthechap said:

I have heard of such tips as taking your shoes off,

Christ, I think I've heard it all. I thought folding your back seats down to save fuel was mad.

Personally I think it can become too much of an obsession the desire to save fuel. I prefer to just be aware of my driving style, sppropriate gear selection etc.

To be fair to the kid, the key to getting better mpg is smoother driving. I find I drive smoother with no shoes on.
I don't think he was suggesting it as a weight saving measure. If he was, then holy fk, what a tit.

Also, a good way to save fuel is to get a bike, you lazy bloody student.

[roachcoach]

More likely for more feel on the pedals. Not sure what difference that makes for day to day pootling though.