Driving steadily can improve

Rather than making dips in speed, try to maintain a steady speed. If you are going to stop your vehicle for more than 30 seconds, it is better to turn off the engine.

This is because idling will not get you anywhere. After all, it simply produces unwanted greenhouse gases and wastes fuel. Keeping to the speed limits will save on fuel. Most of the cars, vans, SUVs and trucks are fuel efficient when they are driven between 50 and 80kmph. When you cross this speed zone, your vehicle tends to use more fuel. Deceleration also affects fuel efficiency.

Instead of breaking to stop your car, anticipate traffic flow as much as possible and coast to decelerate. Coasting to decelerate also saves wear and tear on your brakes. Maintaining a steady speed helps your engine perform efficiently. Instead of allowing small dips in speed followed by bursts of acceleration, maintain a steady speed. When traveling in hilly terrain and where traffic permits, allow your car to slow down naturally when traveling uphill and to speed up again when going downhill.

There are many factors that affect fuel economy, however, and these figures can vary significantly. To learn how to calculate your gas mileage, read our guide. Idling wastes fuel, gets you nowhere, and produces unnecessary greenhouse gases.

Older vehicles, however, may need more idling time when first started. In cold, wintery conditions, all vehicles may need more idling time to warm up and ensure the windshield is fully defogged. Be sure your vehicle is warmed enough to prevent stalling when you pull out. Start by checking tire pressures in your driveway. Note any tire that is underinflated, and then drive to the nearest gas station to add air. Check tire pressures again at the station, and inflate the low tires to the same level as the others these will likely have higher pressure than they did in the driveway, since the tires have heated up.

Radial tires can be under inflated yet still look normal. Always use your own tire gauge for consistent results. On average, tires lose about 1 psi per month and 1 psi for every 10 degree drop in temperature. According to the Energy Information Administration, tire efficiency could save approximately , barrels of oil a day. Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary.

Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel; so does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners. Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum. Whether you're learning to drive for the first time or you have years of experience, these 8 tips for safe driving will help you navigate the road ahead.

It can be tempting to slam on the gas pedal as soon as the light turns green, but it's important to exercise self-control.

Your engine performs better when it is eased into higher speeds. Go from a complete stop to a slow roll and gradually increase pressure on the gas pedal from there. Smooth steering keeps you in control of the car. When taking turns or holding the car straight down the road, it's important to keep a steady hold on the wheel. Just like accelerating, it's important to avoid slamming the pedal to the floor.

Learning to recognize when to stop is one of the most important lessons a new driver can learn. If you see a stop sign or the light ahead turns yellow, begin applying light pressure to the brake as soon as possible. As you become more comfortable with driving, it can be tempting to push the bounds of posted speed limits.

However, adhering to the speed limit is not just a matter of following the law — it is vital for the safety of yourself and others. To determine the speed limit, the Department of Transportation sends engineers to perform a thorough investigation. These engineers take into account road type, accident history, traffic volume and sight distance. Your life and the lives of others are not worth shaving a few minutes off your drive time.

Keeping an adequate "cushion" between yourself and the car in front of you is important regardless of driving experience.