In this blog post, we will examine whether driving with the gear in neutral, a technique used by many drivers to improve fuel economy, is actually effective and how it affects safety.
“A car doesn’t become a luxury car just by changing its appearance. It requires a high-performance new engine and quality that is recognized in the global market. The more you look at it, the more confident you feel…” ”I thought I had experienced all the performance of a 2000cc engine. I was wrong. A powerful performance that no one has ever experienced before is coming. This is the first time. Another first experience that exceeds your imagination! Get ahead with 163 horsepower.”
The above phrases are advertising slogans for Hyundai Motor’s Sonata in South Korea. It is clear that they are all emphasizing the performance, or high performance, of the engine. So, what is the most frequently used word in car advertisements these days? It is ”fuel economy.” Fuel economy is the ratio of the distance traveled to the amount of fuel consumed while driving. With global environmental pollution, especially global warming, becoming a major issue, there is growing concern about CO2 emissions, and since CO2 emissions are directly linked to fuel consumption, attention is focused on high fuel economy, or high efficiency. This has created a positive image of high efficiency not only for car companies but also for consumers, i.e., drivers, encouraging them to drive with fuel efficiency in mind. In this article, we will look at some bad examples of fuel-efficient driving and explain how to follow the trend toward high efficiency correctly.
The shift toward high efficiency in the automotive industry is not just an advertising or marketing strategy. It is part of a global trend toward environmental protection, with many countries tightening fuel economy regulations. For example, the CAFE (fuel economy standards) regulations in the United States and CO2 emission regulations in the European Union are strongly requiring automakers to improve fuel economy. These regulations go beyond mere legal requirements and have become a catalyst for technological advancement and innovation. In this process, eco-friendly automotive technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles are rapidly advancing, and technological research and development to further maximize fuel efficiency are actively underway.
Fuel efficiency can be improved by reducing driving resistance. Air resistance, one of the driving resistances, also has a significant impact on fuel efficiency, and is related to the shape of the car and the movement of fluid passing through it. Some drivers fold the rearview mirrors on both sides of their cars to reduce air resistance and improve fuel efficiency. However, this is not a proper way to drive for fuel efficiency as it hinders safe driving. Similarly, it is possible to reduce air resistance by driving close behind a large vehicle and using the airflow, but this is not a safe way to drive for fuel efficiency as it is difficult to maintain a safe distance from the car in front.
The correct methods for reducing driving resistance are as follows. First, do not install unnecessary devices that increase air resistance and reduce fuel efficiency. For example, attaching a carrier to the roof of a vehicle can increase air resistance and significantly reduce fuel efficiency. This is often overlooked by many drivers, but such small changes can have a significant impact on fuel efficiency. In addition, to reduce rolling resistance, which is one of the driving resistances, it is recommended to use tire pressure that is slightly higher than the normal range and not to drive with unnecessary loads. Removing unnecessary loads from the vehicle is also an effective way to improve fuel efficiency. This is because when the weight of the vehicle increases, the engine consumes more fuel.
The biggest factor affecting fuel efficiency is the driver’s driving habits. What is the best way to operate the pedals and gear knob in automatic transmission vehicles, which account for the highest percentage of vehicles in Korea? First, avoid sudden acceleration. This is because high power output at low speeds requires a large amount of fuel. Sudden braking should also be avoided, which means that drivers should aim for economical driving by accelerating only as much as necessary. These changes in driving habits not only improve fuel efficiency, but also have a positive effect on extending the life of the vehicle and reducing maintenance costs.
Let’s learn about eco-driving using the terrain. When a vehicle climbs a sloping road, additional driving resistance called gradient resistance is added. Therefore, more fuel is consumed than when driving on a flat road. From this, we can see that unnecessary acceleration should be minimized on uphill slopes, and acceleration should only be used as necessary on downhill slopes and flat ground. For example, suppose there is a route with two hills. When climbing the first hill, accelerate only enough to maintain a constant speed, and then use the downhill slope of the first hill to reach the speed needed to climb the second hill. In fact, a device is currently being developed that uses GPS information to identify the terrain and assist drivers in driving most efficiently. This technology plays an important role in reducing driver fatigue and minimizing fuel consumption.
What is the correct way to drive on a downhill slope? If you search for “fuel-efficient driving,” you will find many articles saying that coasting with the gear in neutral (N) is effective for fuel efficiency. However, this is the wrong way to do it. If you put the gear in neutral, the only way to control the speed of the vehicle is by braking. Automatic transmission vehicles can control the speed of the vehicle within a certain range depending on the gear used, but using neutral gear makes this impossible, increasing dependence on the brakes and potentially leading to brake malfunction due to overheating. In addition, shifting to neutral gear while driving can cause damage to the transmission, so the use of neutral gear should be avoided. All cars sold today have a fuel cut function. Fuel cut is a function that limits fuel supply as needed according to the operation of the accelerator pedal and driving conditions. Therefore, if you do not use the accelerator pedal while using a high gear instead of neutral on a downhill road, fuel supply will be limited, which reduces fuel consumption as when using neutral gear, enabling efficient driving.
Finally, vehicle maintenance also has a significant impact on fuel economy. Optimizing vehicle performance through regular engine oil changes, air filter cleaning, and tire checks directly contributes to improved fuel economy. In particular, tire condition is a very important factor in fuel economy, as worn tires or inappropriate tire types can significantly reduce fuel economy. In addition, periodically checking the condition of your vehicle and replacing parts when necessary is also important for improving fuel efficiency.
Safety is the most important thing when driving. In this day and age, the best drivers are blue drivers who can drive more economically while ensuring the safety of themselves and others. Fuel-efficient driving is not simply a way to save fuel, but also a way to protect the environment and fulfill our social responsibilities. When all drivers practice fuel-efficient driving, we can create a better future.
