10 real world tips for better fuel efficiency

Does the recent fuel price hike have you driving like there’s a sleeping kitten under your accelerator?

• Ford New Zealand offers 10 real world tips for better fuel efficiency and cutting fuel costs
• Fuel efficient driving doesn’t need to be boring; the new Fiesta ST with EcoBoost, the fastest production Fiesta ST produced to date, proves it

AUCKLAND, New Zealand 5 July 2013 – New taxes and the recent drop in the New Zealand dollar have pushed fuel prices to new highs and as a result have put a considerable strain on Kiwi wallets!

Fortunately most Kiwis have a good idea of how to drive economically. Unfortunately, it often involves driving as if there is a sleeping kitten just under your accelerator. Easy…easy…don’t wake the kitten. And as anyone who has taken part in a fuel economy test drive knows, that sort of driving can also put you to sleep.

In celebration of the New Zealand launch of the All-New Fiesta ST, powered by EcoBoost™, Ford New Zealand offers these 10 real world tips for New Zealand motorists looking to lower fuel costs but still keep driving exciting…

1) Get your kit off. The kit on the roof that is. Surf on the weekend but not during the week? Take the racks off your car during the week. This is about better aerodynamics and makes a big difference in fuel efficiency.
2) Ensure your tyres are up to the correct pressure. So easy and can have a massive impact on fuel usage as well as handling. It’s also safe. Low tyre pressure can cause blowouts.
3) What is in your boot? Weight can be another factor in both fuel usage and road handling. Unload unnecessary items from your car. Some people also never entirely fill their tank, opting to fill only 60 or 70 per cent since a full tank is actually quite heavy itself.
4) Don’t rubberneck! Keep up to speed; safely but keep up to speed. When you slow down to have a look, you’re causing others, in some cases hundreds of others, to slow down for no reason. All those cars then hit the pedal to speed back up, including you, wasting fuel in the process. In a 2011 study in the USA, it was estimated that traffic jams burned 5 per cent of the country’s total fuel used that year – that’s more than 7 billion litres of fuel worth more than 9 billion NZ dollars. That’s a lot of fuel!
5) Anticipate – Don’t overdo this one and slow to crawling two kilometres out but always look ahead and get a good idea of what is about to happen in the next few seconds. Minimise your reactionary braking, or aggressive acceleration. Smooth out your driving.
6) Don’t drive angry – Easier said than done, especially in frustrating city or town driving. But angry driving burns more fuel. Burning out at the traffic lights or weaving in and out of cars can all mean heavy acceleration and heavy fuel use.
7) Cruise – Using cruise control can save. For example, setting it to 95kmh can save as much as 5 per cent versus manually driving between 90 and 100 kmh.
8) Are you in tune? Would your engine sing well enough to win an automotive X Factor? Kiwis are notorious for not servicing their vehicles. But while you may be saving money in servicing costs, you’ll end up paying in the long run with poorer fuel economy or even bigger mechanics’ bills if you leave it too long.
9) Rewards – This one has nothing to do with your car. Watch out for grocery store deals. Some can have up to 40 cents off a litre when you spend a certain amount, which is very exciting for your wallet! Just be careful you’re not overspending to get the deal, which would be somewhat counterproductive.
10) Lastly, your car doesn’t need to be boring either. Case in point - the new Ford Fiesta ST with EcoBoost™ is Ford’s fastest-yet production Fiesta ST. At the same time, it’s also the most fuel efficient with a combined cycle fuel economy rate of 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres.* It’s powered by a 1.6-litre EcoBoost™ petrol engine to achieve 0 to 100KM/H in 6.9 seconds and offer 134kW and a peak torque of 290Nm. Top speed is 220Km/h!

“Ford’s EcoBoost™ technology provides the power that makes driving exciting yet manages to also provide even better fuel efficiency than non-EcoBoost engines,” said Chris Masterson, Marketing Manager, Ford New Zealand. “The Fiesta ST is a perfect match for the fuel conscious driving enthusiast, offering the hottest hatch performance and every day driving practicality.”

On sale as of 1 July throughout New Zealand, the hot new Fiesta ST is available as a three-door hatch, 6-speed manual and offers a host of smart and safe features including:
• 5 Star safety rating with 7 airbags
• Ford MyKey™ – MyKey is a programmable key that allows setting of top speed among other functions
• Ford SYNC - in-vehicle communications system including Bluetooth®
• Dynamic Stability Control and Hill Launch Assist
• ISOFIX child seat attachments
• Keyless entry and start
• Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control
• Sony premium stereo with 8 speakers

EcoBoost™ is featured across the Ford New Zealand range and includes:
• Focus ST: 2.0L EcoBoost™, 184 kW, 360Nm, 7.2 L/100kms
• Falcon: 2.0L EcoBoost™, 179 kW, 353Nm, 8.1 L/100kms
• All-New Kuga all-wheel drive: 1.6L EcoBoost™, 134 kW, 240Nm, 7.7 L/100kms
• Mondeo Titanium: 2.0L EcoBoost™, 176 kW, 340Nm, 7.7 L/100kms
• All-New Fiesta (arriving Q4 2013): 1.0L EcoBoost™, 92 kW, 170Nm, 4.9 L/100kms

For more information, search EcoBoost, Fiesta ST or Ford New Zealand.

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The stated fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 as last amended. The results may differ from fuel economy figures in other regions of the world due to the different drive cycles and regulations used in those markets.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 171,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products in New Zealand, please visit: http://www.ford.co.nz

ENDS

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