Do you drive long distances in a petrol car and want to save money?
My vehicle burns 10.1 litres to travel 100km, driving at 100km/h, top gear at 2000 revs.
This drops to 8.1 litres doing same trip at 80km/h in top gear at 1500 revs.
Saving two litres of petrol is $3.50 per 100km. That adds up if you do regular long highway trips.
You can check this yourself if your vehicle has a fuel economy computer. Reset it, drive a long distance, like 100km, at 100km/h, note economy. Then reset the computer, do the same trip at 80km/h in the highest gear, note the economy and work out the savings you can make.
For most vehicles, the fuel efficiency gets worse over 90km/h, mainly due to overcoming wind resistance.
Driving at 80km/h is safer. It is easier to be overtaken, gives more time to notice surroundings, greater chance to avoid potholes or critters on road, better awareness of road conditions and reduces the chances of a speeding ticket.
The engine is not working as hard, runs cooler and decreases its carbon footprint.
The drive takes a bit longer but it feels more relaxing. Easier to slow for towns. More time to listen to radio, music or fellow travellers.
Other driving habits can bring savings too. Make sure tyres are inflated correctly. Brake and accelerate smoothly. Keep those revs lower.
Road safety and awareness of others always takes priority. Don’t tailgate with other slow drivers, leave a gap for others to easily overtake.
For other road users, its legal to drive to the speed limit or lower. Don’t tailgate, beep, flash lights, gesture or overtake aggressively.
I’ll shout myself a coffee with weekly savings, may you find better things to purchase than fuel.
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