FUEL SAVING TIPS FOR A 4X4
By their very nature, off-road capable
vehicles will use more fuel than an ordinary passenger sedan being driven
sedately down the highway – however, there are ways in which to minimize this
consumption.
Off-road vehicles with four-wheel drive come in many shapes and sizes but
the common denominator is the all-wheel-drive system adds mass to the vehicle
and that means it needs a bit of extra ‘oomph’ to get going – and a little more
fuel. Additionally, these vehicles have more moving parts than a 4x2 vehicle such
as the front differential and the transfer case – both vital to the operation
of all-wheel drive.
Going
off road is great fun but, the slow speeds associated with conquering obstacles
along the route and the high revs sometimes needed to keep going are not good
friends of consumption – in fact, when traveling off road the vehicle’s
consumption stops being measured in ℓ/ 100 km but is better measured in ℓ/ per
hour, like a generator.
To keep your 4x4 as fuel friendly as possible, you should see it
almost as two separate vehicles and, while on the highway or good tarred roads,
apply the same efficiency techniques that apply to a sedan
or hatch.
If your 4x4 has a low range option, this should be selected only in
difficult conditions where maximum power and torque are called for. The low range
can be used at speeds of up to 30 km/h off road. To get the best fuel
consumption in this situation use the highest gear possible to negotiate the
route – this will bring the revs down, giving you better consumption and still
staying in the power band.
Using the air-conditioner while driving in slow, off-road conditions
will have a negligible effect on the fuel consumption – but it might drain a
bit of power from the engine. This would be felt mostly in small capacity
engines.
There is a myth that driving on a wet surface in 4x4 high range is
safer. Not only will this use lots more fuel, but it is also not good for the
vehicle to travel constantly at the low speeds that low range permits you to
drive at. The only time it is advisable is if the road is extremely wet and
speeds are reduced dramatically.
Tyre pressure plays a major role in fuel consumption and drivers
should pay particular attention to ensuring the pressures are correct for the
work the vehicle is doing. The softer the tires, the higher the rolling
resistance and that can affect the consumption by as much as 10%.
While a roof rack may add to the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle,
it is deadly in terms of consumption. If you held a plank with the same
dimension as the leading edge of the roof rack out of the window at speed, it
would be ripped out of your hands. Each crossbar adds resistance squared so,
if you double the speed, the resistance is 4x greater! Rather stick to the
basic rule - if you do not absolutely need one, do not fit one!
When traveling with a fully laden vehicle, the tire pressures again
come into play and it vital to ensure they are correctly inflated and you are
in the right gear for the terrain to minimize fuel use as much as possible.
Add-ons such as winches and bull bars or roll bars all affect fuel
consumption as they add mass to the vehicle and affect the aerodynamics by
increasing the wind resistance – and do remember that every kilogram of weight
you add to your 4x4, reduces the load capacity by that amount.
Your loading capacity has to include all accessories, including the
weight of the bigger tires than those originally specified, plus the weight of
the fuel, water, your equipment, and the passengers. It is illegal to overload
your vehicle and it could cause you problems in the case of an insurance claim.
Maximizing fuel consumption while driving a 4x4 has to be a
conscious decision by the driver, backed up by doing the simple things right
every time the vehicle is started. The savings achieved might not be
immediately noticeable but will add up over time.
For more fuel saving tips and tricks, read our articles on fuel saving in
a manual car or
an automatic car.
To find out more useful
car tips and tricks, download our guide: 101 car facts and
become a true car expert.
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