Comments on: Economy driving: Peugeot 308

By: Lukasz

Lukasz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:52:37 +0000

@Realcars: I thought distractions and driver fatigue were the leading causes of car accidents, then drunk driving and speeding… can’t remember seeing tailgating anywhere on the scale.

@Ivan: interesting idea about the bikes, suspend all of the country’s driver’s lisences until they complete 1 year of bike riding.

By: radhoo

radhoo — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:06:34 +0000

I read that the new 308 will have a BioFlux engine too that is going to run on ethanol. It’s a good thing that Peugeot is thinking also to a eco engine like this.

By: Cameron

Cameron — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:03:19 +0000

I got to thinking today (yes it does happen occasionally) just about everybody complains about the cost of fuel, yet on my trip home tonight in peak hour traffic, its amazing to see how hard people drive when they can, only to jam the brakes on 30M when they catch up to the traffic. Many drivers are phobic that someone will pull in front of them so they stab at the accelerator to keep the gap closed.
This observation, which we are all familiar with led me to run a little experiment. I accelerated at a solid but not fast rate, the traffic seemed to surge away from me. Only 4 people in a trip of roughly 20KM jumped in front of me. I watched them to discover they were not to stay there long. The same drivers were all zipping between lanes as soon as it seemed they found a way forward. Of these drivers I recognised one about 5 k further up the road. I then slowly rolled past him only to see him changing lanes again.
I’m sure if everyone took the slower approach they we’d all dramatically reduce fuel consumption AND travel time.
Next time you are in peak traffic, give it a go!

By: Al Juraj

Al Juraj — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:55:16 +0000

Another helpful fuel-saving tip is anticipating the road ahead. If you see a green light in the process of turning red, ease off on the accelerator and gently brake to a standstill. Shifting to neutral and letting the car roll may yield better economy, but generally not recommended for safety concerns as the engine is not able to assist in stopping the car.

In manual cars, shift gears quickly, but not to the extent that the engine will struggle to carry speed by starving it from the necessary revs. A lot of drivers tend to shift right away and mash the throttle at the higher gears thinking they can save more fuel. Engine wear is increased here, thus more stuff to pay for. Simply allow the motor to be comfortable.

There’s also a problem with most motorists when red lights turn green. They tend to accelerate rapidly to the maximum speed. A gradual build of speed will certainly help maximise fuel.

In the real world, we can never achieve the best economy possible, but we can certainly make the most of our tank with respect to our respective motoring environments by driving proactively, that is, knowing what lies ahead, knowing our cars well, and looking after our own well-being and that of others.

By: realcars

realcars — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:32:40 +0000

Agree Cameron the world need less tailgating.

I reckon tailgating would have to be one of the main accident contributors.

By: realcars

realcars — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:27:22 +0000

Cruise may be more economical in a diesel due to the greater torque at lower RPM but I have found in all petrol cars so equipped that I have owned that the cruise is often all or nothing especially in hilly terrain i.e the cruise floors the accelerator once u are climbing a hill to maintain the set speed. In manual mode driver anticipates the increase in gradient ahead building speed to maintain momentum and allowing the vehicle to travel slower than the set speed if economy is the goal. I limit cruise use to the flat.

By: cameron

cameron — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:08:29 +0000

“4wd hating”?
Actually, I really like 4wds, they can be heaps of fun and are fantastic for camping. I just don’t like them in suburbia where they take up more road space, do more damage to the roads and sometimes have agressive “bully” drivers (which I know come in all types of cars).
There have been studies that have proven it is cheaper to have an ordinary car and hire a 4×4 for 2 weeks in the year. Makes sense to me – exactly what I’ll be doing for Fraser Island next holidays.
For the record, I certainly don’t know it all! There are certainly lots of good drivers behind the wheels of 4x4s. Its just my opinion that I’d rather not have them in the cities.
If you find yourself impatient in traffic, it sometimes pays to question why you are feeling that way. I sometimes get impatient because I allow myself to run late, which has a good easy fix!
On a lighter note: “everybody driving slower than me are stupid and should get off the road, everybody driving faster than me is a maniac!”

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:59:39 +0000

Ya just gotta luv guys like Cameron, who know it all.

Keep your 4wd hating to yourself, bud.

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:15:51 +0000

I’ve just refilled the Golf after 910 kilometres, which gives me 5.9l/100, which includes lots of turbo tickling.

One thing I do in my suburban driving is engage the cruise control. Many of my friends do the same, more wouldn’t even think of it or be bothered, and a handful who still live with the eighties belief that you only use it in the country tell me how mad I am because it might get stuck and I’ll Crash The Car.

Not only does it help maximise fuel economy with its computer controlled inputs, it keeps me legal and it keeps me sane whilst the flashing brake lights and frantic lane swapping viewed through my windscreen provide ample evidence of other drivers jockeying for positions not able to be ultimately gained.

By: stevenc

stevenc — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:51:25 +0000

Great article as usual guys. I did think that there are a lot more tips that you could give though. Are these going to be brought up in future articles? I hope so as this sort of stuff could really help people with fuel consumption, as well as being better drivers in general.