Motoring

Drive smoother and use less fuel

A couple once succeeded in driving across the world and only using 1,300 litres of fuel, proving that true fuel economy is not a myth.

A journey that has taken them across 25 countries in four continents has seen John and Helen Taylor break the record for the most fuel-efficient circumnavigation of the world in a standard car.

They completed their 18,500 mile (30,000 km) drive using 24 tanks - 1,303 litres - of fuel, less than half of the what that they had expected to get through.

The Taylors may have had the advantage of using a new formula that Shell was testing for fuel economy, but there are still tips that can be taken from their incredible achievement.

How driving smoother can get you further

• Drive smoothly and avoid accelerating or braking hard
• Use higher gears - the higher the gear, the lower the engine speed
• Leave behind excess weight; fuel efficiency can drop by between 1 and 2 per cent for every extra 45kg carried
• Removing the roof rack can increase fuel economy by as much as 5 per cent
• Avoid over-revving and change gears carefully when accelerating
• Check air filters that keep impurities from damaging the engine
• Be sparing in use of the air conditioner
• Avoid higher speeds, which meet with more resistance
• Keep tyres at the correct pressure

Source: The Times