10 Best Fuel Saving Tips When Driving on EDSA Traffic

Is EDSA’s traffic going to improve this year? Apparently not. In fact, it’s going to get worse. According to the MMDA, over 400,000 vehicles are expected to ply through EDSA daily, which is higher compared to the 357,000 vehicles that passed through EDSA last year.

Blame it on avoiding the new excise taxes and the added infrastructure projects, but whatever the case, traffic will get worse, and it’s going to be a huge drain on fuel consumption for motorists daily.

If this is your problem, then here are some driving tips you can do to save money on fuel right now:

1.Choose the right car

We know this might be too late for those who already have their cars, but those who plan to buy one in the future should really invest in the newer models offered today. These vehicles are actually 23 percent more fuel-efficient compared to the ones manufactured 10 years ago, so you are really saving money on gas without even trying.

Still, there are some general rules you should also keep in mind. For instance, many diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than petrol engines, and automatics consume around 10 percent more fuel compared to manuals. Also, the smaller your car’s engine is, the lesser fuel it needs to run efficiently.

2. Anticipate road conditions

Learn to read road conditions like a book. That way, you can anticipate sudden changes and will be able to react fast. This allows you drive smoothly, lessening abrupt stops and starts that can waste a lot of fuel.

If you see there’s going to be traffic ahead, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator and allowing the car’s momentum to move you forward.

Similarly, when you travel downhill, take your foot off the accelerator and allow the car to roll down naturally.

3. Don’t idle

We’ve written a lengthy article about this, because we think it’s important you realize how unnecessary idling is today. Always turn off your engine if you plan to stall your car for more than a minute. This will help you scrimp on fuel.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a passenger car, such as Volkswagen Jetta, takes up around .17 gallons (or .65 liters) of fuel every hour. This increases to .39 gallons (or 1.50 liters) per hour if your car is carrying heavy loads.

Currently, a liter of gasoline (RON91) at Shell Station plays at around P53.81. If you have the habit of idling for 10 minutes (daily, from Monday to Saturday) during traffic on EDSA, and you carry heavy loads as well, then you’re wasting 1.5 liters—or P80.72 per week.

So it’s like you’re just throwing away around P322.88 per month, or P3,874.56 per year. You could have used that amount to fill up an additional 6 liters of gas per week, or 24 liters per month.

4. Go easy on the air conditioner

So you think your car’s air-con increases fuel consumption the faster you drive? Actually, it doesn’t—and if it does, then it’s not as noticeable as when you drive your vehicle at lower speeds.

Here’s something you can do: Open your windows when it’s a hot day to save on fuel. And try to use your air-con only when you’re pressing hard on the accelerator. Otherwise, you’ll lose a lot on fuel, especially on very hot days.

5. Avoid last-minute braking

Last-minute braking is when you suddenly push down on your car's brakes at a second's (or minute's) notice. This normally happens when you overlook a hump or pothole ahead, with only a few seconds or minutes before your car runs over it.

When you approach those bumps, maintain your car at a constant speed of 24-32 kph. And always remember not to brake or accelerate sharply when you do this.

6. Lessen your load

Basically, your vehicle is designed to be aerodynamic so it can lessen wind drag. This allows it to optimize its speed. But if you add things like the roof rack or roof box on top of it, then they defeat its aerodynamic design, since the added loads increase your fuel consumption to as much as 40 percent.

So take them out if you're not going to use them regularly.

Similarly, don’t make it a habit to place all your things inside your car. Golf clubs, heavy luggage, and metal tool kits can add significantly to your car’s overall weight, increasing your fuel consumption unnecessarily.

7. Lower your speed

Ever wondered what is the most fuel-efficient speed? It’s 45 to 50 kph on an ordinary road, or 80 kph on highways. Interestingly, you actually increase your fuel efficiency by 10 to 30 percent just by driving at 80 kph on expressways.

However, going beyond these numbers offer less fuel efficiency in the long run. And the more you increase the numbers, the more gas you tend to consume. For example, driving at around 113 kph uses up to 9 percent fuel compared to 97 kph, and up to 15 percent more fuel compared to 80 kph.

8. Shift to a higher gear as soon as you can

Change your gears as soon as possible without making the engine work too hard. Try to shift up a gear when you reach around 2,000 rpm (for diesel cars) and 2,500 rpm (for petrol cars).

On a related note, some experts, like the Energy Saving Trust, recommends you skip gears whenever you can. This is also true when you slow down--avoid shifting through each gears whenever possible.

9. Close your windows and sunroof as soon as you hit around 80 kph

Open windows and sunroofs create aerodynamic drag as well. This reduces the car's speed, and forces it to work harder. In fact, it sips more fuel as soon as you reach 80 kph or more.

10. Make sure your tires  are correctly inflated

Tires have a soft spot in our hearts (and wallets), just because they’re so important for safety and your vehicle's overall health. That's why it’s always important to inspect them regularly when you do your car maintenance routine.

The most important thing to check out is if it’s properly inflated. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can reduce your fuel by as much as 15 percent, while a properly inflated tire can increase your fuel mileage by 3.3 percent.

Driving by EDSA’s notorious traffic can be physically stressful at times. But it can also be financially draining, since the common "stop-starts" you normally face during this situation lead to wasted fuel.

It's always good to learn the best practices when it comes to saving gas; but for now, start with the tips provided here--and then build from that.