does driving at a constant speed (pressing the accelerator constantly but with varying amounts) give better gas mileage or does getting to a certain speed and coasting for a while before pressing the accelerator do better? Why?

Question

I feel like the first one should do better, but I don’t get why, and while I’m driving I keep thinking the second version will somehow end up better – but how do hills affect this?

In: 3

Answer 1

Increasing speed uses substantially more gas than maintaining speed. Therefore, constant-speed driving is more efficient than coasting/accelerating. However, the most efficient is to put the accelerator at one position and hold it. Speed will decrease going up hills and increase going down.