7 Hybrid Driving Tips to Maximize Fuel Economy
Hybrid technology is becoming more and more common these days. Due to environmental factors and rising prices of fossil fuels, people are demanding that car manufacturers produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Because of this, more and more car models are being equipped with this hybrid technology.
To meet this demand, most hybrid cars are equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Typically, on slower roads such as city roads and country roads, the electric motor and lithium-ion battery keep the car moving. The internal combustion engine only runs when the battery is low or when driving on the highway. This reduces CO2 emissions.
The 5 most important tips for driving a hybrid car
Hybrid cars can be a real asset, both environmentally and financially. But you need to know how to drive them properly, otherwise you won’t get the most out of them. Below are our top 5 tips to get you started driving a hybrid car.
1) Brake more often
Hybrid cars have a special technology called regenerative braking. This technology allows the battery to get a small charge every time you press the brake pedal. It doesn’t charge it completely of course, but it puts a little more energy back into the battery.
So if you spend more time in stop-and-go traffic, you should be able to run mainly on electric power without relying on gasoline at all. If you can brake frequently, do so to maximize the charging potential of this technology.
2) Don’t use accessories.
Modern cars have too many add-on devices that put a strain on the battery’s performance. Avoid using the radio, USB charger, CD player, air conditioner or heater.
If you need fresh air, roll down the windows to let it in. This way, all the power from the hybrid battery is used to power the electric motor that moves the car. That way, you might be able to spend more time running on electricity rather than gas power.
3) Drive slowly
The only limitation of most hybrid cars is that they cannot go faster than 90 mph without exhausting the resources of the gasoline engine. If you want to drive in an environmentally friendly way, you should keep your speed below 90 mph. This means that you should limit driving on the highway as much as possible. However, if you must drive on the highway at least use cruise control to reduce fuel consumption.
4) Pure Electric Mode
Some hybrid cars have an all-electric mode that doesn’t use gasoline at all. Typically, you can go about 10-15 miles in pure electric mode. If you normally drive in the city, you’ll probably drive about 10-15 miles round trip each time.
With a plug-in hybrid, you can easily charge the battery every time you take a short trip. That way, you won’t have to use gasoline.
5) Cruise Control
If you want to get the most out of your hybrid car’s power, use cruise control as often as possible. Every time you step on the accelerator, more gasoline is consumed and more carbon dioxide emissions are produced.
However, if you accelerate to your desired speed and then switch to cruise control, you will use more electrical energy and consume less gasoline. This does not mean that the vehicle is fully electric, as it may drain the battery.
6) Don’t carry unnecessary weight.
Having unnecessary weight in your car can have a significant negative impact on your fuel economy. The heavier the car is, the more energy it takes to move. So your engine has to work harder and use more fuel to maintain the same speed.
To maximize the fuel economy of your hybrid car, it’s important to only load your car with essentials. This includes groceries, sports equipment, and anything else you need to transport. If you must carry heavier loads, try to distribute the weight evenly throughout the car.
7) Maintain proper tire pressure
Properly inflated tires are essential to maximize fuel economy in hybrid vehicles. Therefore, a tire pressure gauge is a cost-effective investment. Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance and uses more fuel to maintain the same speed. This translates into reduced fuel consumption and increased emissions.
Furthermore, low tire pressure also reduces vehicle performance. There are handling issues and the vehicle does not respond as expected, which can create dangerous situations while driving, such as longer braking distances and reduced control when cornering.