Fuel Economy in Cars; Energy Savings and Environment Protection

Jan 19, 2011
Zeeshan Amin

Improving Fuel Economy in Cars - Zeeshan Amin

Fuel economy can be achieved in cars by improving vehicle designs and adopting smart driving habits; thus, earning monetary and environmental benefits.

According to World Bank, sixteen of the world’s most polluted cities are in China, and most of this pollution is attributed to vehicle emissions. In addition, it has been estimated that in gas-powered cars, 63 percent of the fuel’s energy is wasted within the engine itself. Growing environmental pollution and rising oil prices necessitate efficient burning of fuels in automobiles. Consequently, fuel economy is a significant notion in today’s car market.

Fuel Economy in Vehicles

The function of a car engine is to convert potential energy stored in fuel to the kinetic energy of the vehicle. Car designers aim at maximizing this energy conversion with minimum heat dissipation losses. The capacity of the vehicle to produce the maximum work output from minimum fuel consumption is called fuel economy or fuel efficiency. Fuel economy in cars can be improved in two primary ways: superior car designs and wise driving habits.

Role of Car Designers in Fuel Efficiency

Car designers and manufacturers can improve fuel economy by controlling a number of automotive characteristics: vehicle profile, body materials and engine design. Aerodynamic vehicle shape, appropriate selection of body materials and efficient combustion in engines combine to make the car run with improved gas mileage. In addition, adopting certain sensible driving habits can bring in considerable fuel savings.

Role of Car Drivers in Fuel Economy

Energy experts recommend a number of smart driving habits aimed at efficient consumption of fuel in automobiles:

Observe speed limits and avoid rapid acceleration and braking; avoid excessive idling and use cruise control where appropriate.
Do not overload the vehicle; use car trunk rather than roof for loading luggage.
Maintain the vehicle as prescribed by the manufacture: keep the engine tuned, tires inflated at suggested pressure, replace dirty air filters and use vehicle’s recommended grade of motor oil.
Use overdrive gears because lowering the engine speed saves gas consumption and reduces engine wear.
Avoid driving in peak congestion hours and plan to combine trips if possible.
While buying a new vehicle, give due consideration to its fuel economy characteristics; consider buying an alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle, if available.

Fuel Efficiency in Cars

Improving a vehicle’s fuel economy is the best available tool for reducing environmental pollution and saving continuously depleting oil resources. This can be accomplished by improved vehicle designs and implementing certain easy-to-adopt driving strategies. Some of these practices may seem inconvenient at large; however, if the user adjusts to these habits, substantial monetary savings as well as environmental benefits can be reaped.

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