A new study conducted by NRMA Motoring & Services has revealed that good motoring habits can potentially save motorists 49 cents per litre.

NRMA Director Coral Taylor said motorists could save more than $1,400 per year if they drove 20,000km with petrol at $1.40 per litre by driving smoothly rather than aggressively.

“Motorists can make substantial savings if they are prepared to change their driving habits, says Taylor.

“Moving smoothly through the gears when approaching or leaving a stationary point such as traffic lights and keeping unnecessary weight out of cars are two effective ways to reduce consumption.”

Taylor says driving aggressively increases a car’s fuel consumption by as much as 35 per cent.

The NRMA test was carried out using two Toyota Camry Altise vehicles at the Roads and Traffic Authority’s Botany Emissions Laboratory to measure regulated emissions and CO2 produced by both vehicles to ensure a fair comparison.

A day of testing was then held at Eastern Creek Raceway involving one car accelerating and stopping smoothly at road cones placed 600 - 1000 metres apart, while the other was driven aggressively.

A load test was also carried out, during which one vehicle was loaded with water containers and sand bags weighing 400kg distributed evenly in the cabin and the boot. The vehicle’s tyres were inflated to the manufacturer’s minimum specification. The second vehicle had no extra weight in it and tyre pressure was maintained at the manufacturer’s maximum recommendation.

Ms Taylor said a vehicle’s oil and water levels, and tyre pressures should be checked before carrying any significant additional weight.

“By loading one car with unnecessary weight, the test also showed substantial savings can be made if unused equipment or luggage such as golf clubs is removed from vehicles when not in use,” says Taylor.

“The NRMA test found fuel consumption increased by almost 24 per cent when a vehicle is loaded up to its maximum and while most motorists wouldn’t routinely drive around with a maximum load; it does show that extra weight can increase your fuel costs significantly.”

Taylor says the results of the NRMA test show there is no point trying to beat a few red lights or leaving heavy items in your car.

“Driving on public roads is not a race and motorists should be aware of the money they can save by driving passively.”

A new study conducted by NRMA Motoring & Services has revealed that good motoring habits can potentially save motorists 49 cents per litre.

NRMA Director Coral Taylor said motorists could save more than $1,400 per year if they drove 20,000km with petrol at $1.40 per litre by driving smoothly rather than aggressively.

“Motorists can make substantial savings if they are prepared to change their driving habits, says Taylor.

“Moving smoothly through the gears when approaching or leaving a stationary point such as traffic lights and keeping unnecessary weight out of cars are two effective ways to reduce consumption.”

Taylor says driving aggressively increases a car’s fuel consumption by as much as 35 per cent.

The NRMA test was carried out using two Toyota Camry Altise vehicles at the Roads and Traffic Authority’s Botany Emissions Laboratory to measure regulated emissions and CO2 produced by both vehicles to ensure a fair comparison.

A day of testing was then held at Eastern Creek Raceway involving one car accelerating and stopping smoothly at road cones placed 600 - 1000 metres apart, while the other was driven aggressively.

A load test was also carried out, during which one vehicle was loaded with water containers and sand bags weighing 400kg distributed evenly in the cabin and the boot. The vehicle’s tyres were inflated to the manufacturer’s minimum specification. The second vehicle had no extra weight in it and tyre pressure was maintained at the manufacturer’s maximum recommendation.

Ms Taylor said a vehicle’s oil and water levels, and tyre pressures should be checked before carrying any significant additional weight.

“By loading one car with unnecessary weight, the test also showed substantial savings can be made if unused equipment or luggage such as golf clubs is removed from vehicles when not in use,” says Taylor.

“The NRMA test found fuel consumption increased by almost 24 per cent when a vehicle is loaded up to its maximum and while most motorists wouldn’t routinely drive around with a maximum load; it does show that extra weight can increase your fuel costs significantly.”

Taylor says the results of the NRMA test show there is no point trying to beat a few red lights or leaving heavy items in your car.

“Driving on public roads is not a race and motorists should be aware of the money they can save by driving passively.”

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