-2.1 C
New York City
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Home Driving Lessons Motoring Advice Does Cruise Control Save Fuel?

Does Cruise Control Save Fuel?

EUGENE HERBERT

Internationally, many countries face steep increases in fuel prices, although Nigeria, unlike most nations globally, still subsidizes fuel to the tune of trillions of Naira.

Motorists in the UK are being warned that technology in vehicles that can save fuel needs to be used correctly for this to be a reality. Incorrect use could actually cause motorists to use more fuel.

The technology being referred to is cruise control. While it can boost fuel economy considerably, this is only when driving on a constant, flat surface. On inclines, cruise control is slower than a driver to react to gradient changes. When a driver reaches the top of a hill, they decrease their pressure on the accelerator much faster than what cruise control can sense a change in the gradient.

The same applies in driving with traffic. Firstly, cruise control is never recommended in heavy traffic because of the potential for something to go wrong. If, however, a driver uses cruise control in moderate traffic and is consequently adjusting or stopping and restarting regularly, they will not get the most fuel saving benefits from cruise control, safety concerns aside.

A Natural Resources Canada Study found cruise control could potentially reduce fuel consumption by 20% – if used correctly. If you are consistently adapting your cruise control between 110km/h and 120km/h, for example, as opposed to keeping it at a consistent 120km/h, you are unlikely to see this saving. If you find you regularly need to adjust your speed, driver anticipation and correct following distances are more likely to get a bigger saving than using your cruise control.

Yet, if adaptive cruise control (ACC) manages following distances for you, can the same be said for ACC? “According to a study conducted across Europe in 2012, it found the sensors that adapt the speed according to traffic, result in fuel savings. Yet, most of these studies are conducted in open highway settings where there are minimal adaptions. Additionally, the savings are around 2.8%, thus negligible at best. More research needs to be conducted in real-driving settings.

Thus, there is a place for cruise control in saving fuel and also for consuming more. “Before deciding to use cruise control look at the driving conditions and decide whether they allow for it. Also do not sacrifice safety for reducing fuel consumption, for example, using cruise control in wet weather. There is a place for all car technology that requires correct use to get the most benefit from it.

Eugene Herbert is the CEO of South Africa-based MasterDrive,

©Copyright MOTORING WORLD INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved. Materials, photographs, illustrations and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior written permission from Motoring World International

Contact: info@motoringworldng.com

 

Most Popular

NAJA Releases 2023 Auto Award Nominees, as Suzuki, Honda, Changan Justle for Car of the year Crown

Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has revealed nominees for its 2023 Nigeria Auto Awards. The grand award event is scheduled for December 14 at the...

4th Nigeria Auto Guide Now in Circulation

The 2024/25 edition of the Nigeria Auto Guide has been released and now in circulation, editors of the book have announced. It is the fourth...

Race for 2023 NAJA Auto Awards Kicks Off, Event Holds Dec 14

The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has slated its annual Auto Industry awards for Thursday, December 14 at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island,...

Coscharis Motors Unveils 2023 Ford Territory in Nigeria

ROTIMI ASHER Coscharis Motors Plc, one of the leading companies in the Nigerian automotive sector, has launched the all-new Ford territory into the nation’s market. Unveiled...