Fuel Efficient Driving Habits NZ Drivers are Missing

Money Down the Drain: Fuel Efficient Driving Habits New Zealand Drivers are Missing

• Fuel efficiency survey commissioned by Ford Motor Company covered 9,500 drivers across 11 markets in Asia Pacific, including 774 New Zealand respondents

• Only 15 percent of Kiwi drivers know to use GPS to set the most efficient route before starting a journey

• Up to 81 percent of New Zealand drivers are unaware that using cruise control can help to save on petrol

AUCKLAND, Friday 25 November 2016. New Zealand drivers say they are confident on the road and knowledgeable about what constitutes ‘good driving’, but when asked to identify key fuel-saving driving techniques, most were misinformed.

In a recent survey conducted by Ford Motor Company, 774 New Zealand drivers were asked about their driving habits and fuel efficiency knowledge.

Eighty-four percent of New Zealand respondents claimed they knew how to drive their car for maximum fuel efficiency, and 79 percent said they made a concerted effort to drive efficiently on a daily basis.

“When it comes to fuel efficiency, unfortunately there’s a yawning gap between what most of us think we know, and what we actually know,” said Simon Rutherford, Managing Director, Ford New Zealand. “For example, our survey showed that most people haven’t thought about the potential fuel saving benefits of using GPS or cruise control.”

“Ford has made a significant investment in creating more efficient engine technology and a strong track record in engine innovation globally, particularly with the award-winning EcoBoost engine, but there is a great deal that individual drivers can do to reduce their vehicle’s petrol consumption,” he said.

“Ford vehicles have built-in functions that allow drivers to track their fuel consumption, so we encourage them to test out these fuel-saving techniques to see just how much difference they make.”

So, what did New Zealand drivers get wrong about driving tips that could help keep their tanks fuller, for longer?

• 24 percent of New Zealand drivers don’t know that harsh accelerating and braking negatively affect their car’s fuel consumption.

Aggressive driving – like braking harshly or taking off too quickly – is a major offender when it comes to wasting fuel.

• Almost one in five New Zealand drivers believe that keeping the engine running while idling will save more fuel.

Turning the engine off and restarting it again is actually more fuel efficient when stopped at a light or in heavy traffic. If your vehicle features Auto Start-Stop technology – which can be found on a number of new Ford vehicles including Focus, Mondeo, Kuga, Escape, and Transit - you’re one step ahead. Auto Start-Stop shuts off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop, and when the brake is released, the engine quickly restarts.

• 81 percent of drivers are unaware about the fuel efficiency benefits of cruise control.

Cruise control is a modern car’s secret weapon against wasting fuel. Maintaining a constant speed means you don’t waste fuel by unnecessarily braking and accelerating – and it also stops you from driving faster than speed limits permit.

• Only 15 percent know to use GPS to map the quickest route before heading out.

It seems obvious, but the longer you drive, the more fuel you’ll use. Both time and money can be saved by checking your route on your GPS system before you hit the road. If you’re in a Ford and it comes with SYNC 2 or SYNC 3, save time by pre-entering your most frequent destinations, such as home and work.

• 37 percent did not know that driving in hilly areas can affect fuel consumption.

A long drive in the mountains will use more fuel than driving on a flat, straight road. Driving uphill uses more fuel as the vehicle is working slightly harder to go against gravity.

• Many respondents were unaware that cold weather (72 percent) and hot weather (81 percent) affect a vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Cold weather can reduce your fuel economy significantly as it takes longer for your engine to reach its most efficient temperature, so you may want to rethink any short trips in wintery conditions. In warmer weather, pay attention to when you should use the car’s air-conditioner. The higher the speed, the more wind resistance affects mileage. At highway speeds you’re better off using the air-conditioner, but at lower speeds drive with your windows down.

• Only 58 percent of those surveyed knew that removing heavy items or clutter from the car can help save fuel

Excess weight in the vehicle can wreak havoc on your car’s fuel consumption. Any extra 20kg you carry can reduce fuel economy by roughly one percent. So try to pack lightly on that next road trip.

• Three in four drivers were unaware that adding sports tires or body kits to the vehicle can affect its fuel efficiency

Going for that “Fast and Furious” look for your vehicle may get you a limited amount of street cred (and likely some extra attention from the long arm of the law), but the increased rolling resistance and drag will reduce your fuel efficiency.

• 25 percent of drivers were unaware that regular servicing helps save fuel, and 22 percent were unaware that regularly checking tire pressure also helps save fuel

Basic knowledge perhaps, but it’s all too easy to forget that a properly maintained vehicle and correctly inflated tires will help stretch your petrol dollar further.

While New Zealand drivers are showing more interest in purchasing fuel efficient vehicles to save them money, the best way to economise on fuel is good driving habits (and that’s for free!)

“Owning a fuel efficient vehicle is definitely an important piece of the puzzle,” says Kevin Tallio, chief engineer, Engine Engineering, Ford Asia Pacific, who worked on the development of Ford’s multiple award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. “But if getting great mileage is your aim, then driving habits make a world of difference.”

About EcoBoost

The centerpiece of Ford’s fuel-economy improvement efforts for petrol-powered engines is EcoBoost technology, which uses turbocharging, variable-valve timing and direct fuel injection along with reduced displacement to deliver significant vehicle fuel-efficiency gains and CO2 reductions, relative to larger displacement engines, without sacrificing vehicle performance.

In response to consumers’ needs, Ford now offers EcoBoost’s fuel-economy benefits throughout its product lineup. Ford’s rapid deployment of EcoBoost in high volumes across a wide array of our vehicle nameplates is helping consumers make a significant step forward in CO2 emission reductions.

In New Zealand, EcoBoost engines are available in eight nameplates, including: Fiesta, Fiesta ST, Focus, Focus ST, Focus RS, Mondeo, Mustang and Kuga.

About the Ford Survey

This online survey was conducted by GlobalWebIndex on behalf of Ford Motor Company. 9,509 consumers were surveyed across 11 markets: Australia (1,026 respondents), China (1,011 respondents), Hong Kong (784 respondents), India (1,023 respondents), Malaysia (786 respondents), New Zealand (774 respondents), Philippines (783 respondents), South Korea (760 respondents), Taiwan (762 respondents), Thailand (1,026 respondents) and Vietnam (774 respondents). Fieldwork was concluded in June 2016.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

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