Despite the abominable costs motorist are facing today, many are wasting thousands of pounds on fuel because they think going fast is economical.
A What Car? survey shows 62% of motorists reckon they’re driving most efficiently between 50mph and 60mph.
If they just slowed down a bit and instead of driving at 90mph on a motorway reduced this to the legal 70mph, they in fact would save that much in around eight minutes
Not true. Tests by What Car? show the economical reality is that the slower you go, in as high a gear as possible, the more you’ll save.
So while many motorist will happily scout around for the cheapest fuel prices to save 2p per litre - an average of £1.20 per tank full.
If they just slowed down a bit and instead of driving at 90mph on a motorway reduced this to the legal 70mph, they in fact would save that much in around eight minutes. Further savings would be made by avoiding any speeding fines.
What Car?’s research was conducted by fuel economy expert Peter de Nayer and included comprehensive testing of five cars - a Toyota Aygo, Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Passat, Citroen C4 Picasso and Land Rover Freelander.
The research also shows that a car driven at 100mph uses roughly five times as much fuel as one travelling at 50mph. Using the wrong gear will also cost motorists plenty. A car cruising at 40mph on rural roads uses 20% more fuel in fourth gear compared with sixth. In town motorists can cut fuel bills by pulling away slowly and smoothly, changing up early and anticipating road conditions to maintain a steady speed.
I guess that means the end of ‘burning up ‘ at the traffic lights
FemaleFirst - Jackie Violet