VIDEO: Be a smooth operator to save fuel
A Smarter Driving Course pays dividends when it comes to saving on petrol - and pennies
When it comes to travelling the best way to cut your carbon footprint would be to take Shanks's pony.
But in spacious and spread out Milton Keynes, that isn't always a practical option.
The car is still the star – but it's not the greenest way of getting about.
So when the Knowlhill-based Energy Saving Trust offered me a Smarter Driving Course I couldn't wait to set the wheels in motion.
According to the Trust's transport co-ordinator Sandra Fellowes, my session would teach me how to drive the car so it's less thirsty for fuel, which in turn would save me money and reduce CO2 emissions.
And while I must admit I'm not the greenest of girls, as soon as Sandra mentioned the chance to save some cash pound signs flashed before my eyes.
My motor for the morning was a pleasant surprise – a brand new and very sporty BMW 3-series.
I'd imagined something more akin to a food processor on wheels sending me off into the sunset on a cloud of ozone-friendly gases.
But instructor Steve Croughan explained that modern motors are by default designed to be super efficient – but drivers don't take full advantage.
Milton Keynes motorists, including myself, have a tendency to cruise as quickly as legally possible before slamming on the brakes where required.
That, said Steve, is one of the cardinal sins of economical driving.
"Smarter driving isn't actually about driving more slowly as many people would think, it's about driving more smoothly."
Steve, a fully-qualified and expert driving instructor, then ran me through the schedule.
He explained how we would be taking a pre-planned drive twice.
One would be a 'normal' drive, and the other would be a 'smarter' drive.
As we set off, driving-test dja vu set in.
But determined to drive as I usually would, we took a 15-minute journey along the grid roads from Knowhill to Westcroft before the undulating winding roads of Emerson Valley.
Back at the Energy Trust's centre, Steve calculated my statistics. I'd averaged a speed of 27mph at 34.4 miles to the gallon – not especially economical for the 1.8 litre diesel engine.
Next, Steve reset the counter and we left to drive the same route – but following his instructions, which he started with this illustration:
"If you've ever pushed a car when it has broken down, you'll know cars are difficult things to get moving from scratch, but once they're moving they roll on momentum.
"We can use that principle to save on fuel, by simply taking our foot off the gas a long time before junctions, roundabout or places where there'll be hazards."
Doubtful, I followed Steve's instruction to quit accelerating a greater distance away from a roundabout than I would normally.
"You'll still have to brake," said Steve. And he was right, but on his advice, I managed to anticipate a clearing in the traffic and keep the car moving – another golden rule of smarter driving.
"It takes a huge amount of energy to get a car moving," explained Steve.
"So to avoid that, try not to let the car stop. Obviously, safety is the priority but it makes you think more in advance to keep the car moving.
"Also, imagine you're trying not to spill a glass of water balanced on the dashboard. You must drive as smoothly as you can, and that means not starting and stopping all the time."
Steve's logical words coming into my ears, I kept my eyes focused on the road ahead. It was tricky trying to resist my old driving habits so when we arrived back at the centre I didn't expect much improvement.
Yet tallying the figures up, I had to my amazement driven more quickly - averaging 27.4 mph – and made the car drive at 45.5 miles to the gallon.
And Steve promised: "That's just to start with, because you were still getting used to the car."
We then swapped seats and he took the same journey.
And despite being unfamiliar with MK – Portsmouth-based Steve is contracted by the Energy Saving Trust – he managed to bring the fuel consumption to an impressive 50.4 mpg.
The Energy Saving Trust is a government-funded agency offering the Smarter Driving Course for businesses whose employees drive cars and vans.
> To find out more call 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
The Trust offers these tips for smoother motoring:
>> Check your revs. When you accelerate change gear between 2,000rpm and 2,500rpm.
>> Watch your speed. The most efficient speed is 45 to 50mph. Faster speeds will greatly increase fuel consumption.
>> Read the road. Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly. Avoid last-minute braking and sharp acceleration.
>> Step off the accelerator. Stay in gear but take your foot of the gas as early as possible when approaching a red light or roundabout. This cuts the fuel flow to almost zero.
>> Drive off from cold. Modern cars are designed to be driven off straight away. Warming up the engine just wastes fuel.
>> Reduce drag. Drive only with the accessories you need. Roof racks, bike carriers and roof boxes have a big effect on your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency.
>> Switch it off. Modern cars use hardly any fuel when they're restarted. So if you're stationary for more than a minute or two switch
your engine off. But never turn it off when you are moving.
>> Check your tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous, increase fuel consumption and wear out more quickly. Check your tyre pressure once a week.
>> Air conditioning. Use air conditioning only when you really need it as it makes a big difference to the amount of fuel you use. But surprisingly at fast speeds air conditioning is better than opening a window as this increases wind resistance and fuel consumption.
>> And of course, watch our sesson, by video reporter Natalee Hazelwood, featuring interviews with the experts, by clicking on the above play button.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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