Earlier in the year, Car Articles featured a post on some fuel economy woes we were having. You can see the original post here: http://www.cararticles.co.uk/uk-redex-plus-an-italian-tune-up-equals-greater-fuel-economy.html.
After conducting some further tests (none of which were particularly scientific but I did try to keep an accurate score of the general miles per gallon figure), I discovered that the problem was none other than the use of cruise control. I sometimes undertake a longer journey (around once per month) but other than that I generally use my car for commuting, days out etc. I was informed that using cruise control was the most efficient way to drive over a long journey. Clearly I was wrong.
It might well be due to the fact that hills, crests and valleys all have an impact on how fuel efficient the cruise control system can be, but at the moment I am seeing 41 miles per gallon almost across the board whereas previously the figure (with regular cruise control use) would hover around the 37 or 38 miles per gallon mark. I’m happy with the result so far even if it does mean driving like a stereotypical slow laner.
Has anyone noted this in their car? I’m genuinely surprised that cruise control can have such a negative impact on the fuel efficiency of a car. Why not give it a go and see if avoiding cruise control use boosts or drops your fuel economy?
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