Pulse 'n' Glide style of driving

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

When you hit the 1/2 mile sign exiting a motorway, move over to lane 1 gradually loosing speed with your foot light on the throttle, when you see the 300 yd sign, foot off the throttle completely, and let the car slow down naturally. You'll be down to 50 mph or so by the time you hit the slip road and usually down to 15-20mph by the end of the slip don't touch the brakes unless you have to stop at the end.

Have you ever driven on the M4 around Reading at peak times???

Sensible advice but gits in Idon'tcare company cars, nutters in scrap-yard-dodgers, clueless old duffers who should not be on the road at that time of day and other assorted imbeciles will cut you up, get in your way and harass you terribly. I've tried to be fuel efficient in this way but it doesn't work if the traffic volume is heavy.

I've also found that a sensible speed, at quieter times, held steady by the cruise control gives the best results.

Cruise control is the WORST thing for fuel saving. Its ruddy awful. Can't cope economical wise with hills and such. When you approach a car, you roll off, traction control = brakes. Braking on motorway is bad driving. Cruise control is not good for economy. Tried the experiment many many times with the work cars. On a 200 mile motorway trip, i'd loose on average at LEAST 1-2mpg

[Luckypants]

Well I agree with Sir Trev, cruise control on a long motorway stint is more efficient in my experience.

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by Daimo

Cruise control is the WORST thing for fuel saving. Its ruddy awful. Can't cope economical wise with hills and such. When you approach a car, you roll off, traction control = brakes. Braking on motorway is bad driving. Cruise control is not good for economy. Tried the experiment many many times with the work cars. On a 200 mile motorway trip, i'd loose on average at LEAST 1-2mpg

Heavy acceleration is where you burn most fuel so if you avoid it by lots of small throttle tweaks you should (in theory) use less fuel. And CC does exactly this with your throttle. Several magazine reports on the web suggest CC can be more economical , but it's always going to depend on the gradients, traffic levels and speed. I've driven many thousands of miles in my Mundaneo on CC and have not noticed much difference to be honest.

[carelesschucca]

Originally Posted by Daimo

Cruise control is the WORST thing for fuel saving. Its ruddy awful. Can't cope economical wise with hills and such. When you approach a car, you roll off, traction control = brakes. Braking on motorway is bad driving. Cruise control is not good for economy. Tried the experiment many many times with the work cars. On a 200 mile motorway trip, i'd loose on average at LEAST 1-2mpg

If someone is struggling with cruise control it means your not using it properly or its a poor system. Speed can be adjusted with cruise control (if its decent) and can be switched off without having to use the brakes. What I find is cruise control shows the inabilty of most average drivers to keep a constant speed I had days where I've past people 4 or 5 times in a 50 mile journey (so they've also gone past me 4 or 5 times)

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Have you ever driven on the M4 around Reading at peak times???

Sensible advice but gits in Idon'tcare company cars, nutters in scrap-yard-dodgers, clueless old duffers who should not be on the road at that time of day and other assorted imbeciles will cut you up, get in your way and harass you terribly. I've tried to be fuel efficient in this way but it doesn't work if the traffic volume is heavy.

I've also found that a sensible speed, at quieter times, held steady by the cruise control gives the best results.

If your'e slowing down, people don't tend to get in the way, they tend to want past and away in front. If they cut you up they cut you up, don't worry about it, and if they harass you smile sweetly and ignore them.

I do drive the M4 at rush hour, including every other motorway at rush hour from the M62 down to the M20, depending upon where I am on any particular day.

It is possible to drive calmly, smoothly and economically in any traffic conditions, so long as you keep your cool. I drive too many miles to allow myself to get stressed by driving, traffic and other peoples driving. If I added to the stress I do have to deal with, with stress that I don't, I'd have a nervous breakdown.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Well I agree with Sir Trev, cruise control on a long motorway stint is more efficient in my experience.

+1

Yeah, I know about the speed controls, but tap tap tap tap tap tap to loose 10+mph gets tedious. Also when applying the speed to increase. Your driving is dictacted by the gradients around you and the car doesn't know when its going uphill.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I too have done substantial miles, but have always found cruise control to be more fuel guzzling. And I actually drive my cars with economy in mind when doing distance driving. Almost like a game, something to do whilst doing the driving.

I.E when i've had the VAG derv machines, i've had over 800 miles from a tank. Never ever got over 722 miles using CC. (not predicated, actual mileage). I guess it depends how good you are with throttle control and forward planning.