Fuel efficiency and consumption

As part of my attempt to minimise my impact on the environment I'm trying to drive more efficiently. I've thrown together a quick spreadsheet so that I can easily monitor my fuel efficiency and consumption and thought I'd share it to save about 5mins work for anybody else interested in doing the same.

Quite pleased with my 45 MPG (UK gallon) considering all I've really done differently is to avoid driving over 60 mph too often. Going to start checking my tyre pressures more regularly and try to improve my driving too.

There's quite an interesting article here which is worth a quick read if only to get you thinking.

It's really about planning your move. If done correctly, it can make you a better driver as you learn to become more observant and understand how traffic congestion builds up.

I managed 35mpg once in my car. Not bad for a 5.5 litre V8. Counter to what most people think, it did it best when I was doing 65-70mph. Such is the design of modern cars and decent gearing. Back in the '60s, the best mpg was to be had at around 50-55mph; modern cars are designed to be driven faster and can therefore achieve a better fuel economy on motorways at higher speeds. It really depends on what revs you are doing in your top gear.

35 MPG from a 5.5 litre! Very impressed with that. I definately need to learn to read the road more effectively; I'm braking much harder than I'd like at the moment.

Above around sixty as Darren says the overwhelming force on your car is air resistance and consequently driving at sixty in top gear is best for fuel economy. For the same reason windows up and air con on is actually more fuel efficient than windows down and no air con.

If you have an interest in driving might I suggest you purchase a book called Roadcraft - it will teach you a fair bit and is the primary syllabus behind IAM/ROSPA/Basic police driving.
P.s. For real fuel economy buy a motorbike FFS - a much more exciting form of transport too.

P.P.S. I saw a story about a guy in an IAM magazine - he was anticipating so well his brakes seized up... False economy!

arabianights said:

P.s. For real fuel economy buy a motorbike FFS - a much more exciting form of transport too.

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I'd like to but my girlfriend would kill me.

arabianights said:

P.P.S. I saw a story about a guy in an IAM magazine - he was anticipating so well his brakes seized up... False economy!

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Well that's certainly...interesting! Thanks for the suggestion about the book. I'll have to get myself a copy.

Yes, Roadcraft is good. Have a copy, meself. </petrolhead>

shadowninja what do you drive? that is impressive miles, my car needs a service , it's drinking far too much

Er, I said I managed 35mpg ONCE. I normally average around 20mpg.

shadowninja said:

Er, I said I managed 35mpg ONCE. I normally average around 20mpg.

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lol, teaches me for skim reading!

With oil going back up, I'm glad to be driving a Honda with water injection. MPG went from 35 on the highway to about 57.