tips for driving economically?

Question

aside from tire pressure and general maintenence do you have any tips on economic driving techniques... im thinking along the lines of when best to coast, use of gears, stopping and starting at traffic lights etc.

thanks
mark

Answer 1

Add light pressure to the throttle, a gentle increase in getting upto speed and shift at best shift point (in automatic let it shift at lowest speed for gear). No fast run upto speed it sucks fuel.

Keep the engine (in a standard) with in its power curve (torque & HP) as the engine works best in that range (CVT transmissions do this).

If around town with gentle downhills be at speed at top (or over a little) and back off and let the vehicle coast as much as possible. Use a light throttle around town.

Approaching uphills increase speed a little to allow the vehicle to bleed of speed as it goes up and you use the throttle less.

Approaching traffic lights stop signs etc, back off throttle a distance back and then if the light changes you can slow down easier.

When using the throttle, on gentle, back off gentle, when on throttle keep on gently and no on/off, on/off to maintain speed. The smoother your driving the better your fuel consumption.

Answer 2

Drive within the posted speed, and avoid fast starts from traffic lights.

Answer 3

those would be the in right direction.

anticipate stop/traffic lights.
do NOT over-rev the engine
turn off the A/C, put down the windows instead

Answer 4

I coast all the time, whenever it's safe.
Saves me lots of gas, since by now I have the feel for it and sometimes hardly need to use the brakes.
Sometimes I short-shift too, but that's pretty specific to my car's rpms. I don't know what you have.

Answer 5

Usually coasting is illegal (at least in my state).

How about a more fuel efficient car?