Quoted below is a reply from " Honest John " in the Telegraph today -

......discs corrode whenever the car is left standing ..........

heavy braking (and it takes very heavy braking to employ the back brakes - fwd ) cleans off the surface corrosion . Light use and light braking don't . If the corrosion is not cleaned off by braking it eats into the discs , while rust particles catch in the pads and create grooves in the discs .

Now on my mk 1 Octavia the rear discs were replaced because of corrosion and not wear after 65K , the ( original ) pads had consequently to be replaced as well .

I had always been taught to anticipate and to take one's foot off the accelerator pad early rather than brake , in the interests of economy . But can one say that I saved about £ 250 ( the cost of the brakes ) in fuel by being careful just at that point of driving ? - I think not .

Likewise driving slowly can cause deposits to build up in diesels with resultant breakdowns , which can be more expensive than the fuel saved .

My trip computer tells me that driving at 50 mph (5th gear ) is less economic than driving at 60 mph (6th gear ) .

Perhaps the answer is that we should simply get out more and enjoy our cars !

Edited 25 October, 200817 yr by jawsnpaws

When i give people a lift in my car they usually comment about how erratic i drive.

Accelerate hard then start braking heavily...then repeat

I can now tell them its a money saving driving technique:D

by planning ahead when you drive you do save money on mpg, i can save at least 10mpg on an average trip, more if i put my mind to it. considering the cars take about 12 gallons i can in theory get another 3-4 gallons for free over someone who doesnt plan ahead. on a full tank a week it works out to be about £500 a year saved.

When I drive along, I frequently open the drivers and passenger door so that the doors seals aren't compressed for too long, otherwise they squash flat and allow water to penetrate.

When I drive along, I frequently open the drivers and passenger door so that the doors seals aren't compressed for too long, otherwise they squash flat and allow water to penetrate.

At what speed you do that?:P

At what speed you do that?:P

anything above 60mph, then I have to use my feet to push the doors open

On the motorways I drive at a distance from the car in front that when that cars brake lights come on I can lift off the accelerator and have time to decide to change lanes or just slow down or then have to brake. People who drive too close are always braking hard, this must use more fuel. Corrosion on discs after ther car has been standing usually goes the first time you apply the brakes.

The discs can distort due to heavy braking and discs going hot & cold.

Another thing I do is coast a lot, switching the engine off. I know it is extra wear and tear on the starter starting the engine again. In town if I have passengers, I turn the engine off, they get out and push.

Another thing I do is coast a lot, switching the engine off..

Might not be very economical if you've got servo assisted brakes:rofl:

Might also be forbidden in some places.

I eco-drive whenever I'm not in a hurry, but then I more than make up for it when I am in a hurry, at least once a week. This usually means plenty of revs, double clutching on downshifts to make everything smoother and the occasional hard braking while cursing when some muppet decides to change lanes without looking or signaling.

Might also be forbidden in some places.

I eco-drive whenever I'm not in a hurry, but then I more than make up for it when I am in a hurry, at least once a week. This usually means plenty of revs, double clutching on downshifts to make everything smoother and the occasional hard braking while cursing when some muppet decides to change lanes without looking or signaling.

It is in the UK, it is considered as wreckless driving as you are not in full control of the vehicle, total rubbish, braking systems are very efficient these days compared to the past when the highway code was written.

Ah yea? Go in an empty supermarket lot and try pressing and releasing the brake pedal when engine is off. See what happens by the 4th press or so => surprise, the pedal is rock hard and you have almost no brakes.

Good thing the handbrake is on the end of a cable.

I only drive downhill

Ah yea? Go in an empty supermarket lot and try pressing and releasing the brake pedal when engine is off. See what happens by the 4th press or so => surprise, the pedal is rock hard and you have almost no brakes.

Good thing the handbrake is on the end of a cable.

hence having the open doors, I then run my shoe along the tarmac to slow the car. This saves wear and tear on my disks and pads, however I now have one leg shorter than the other :)

hence having the open doors, I then run my shoe along the tarmac to slow the car. This saves wear and tear on my disks and pads, however I now have one leg shorter than the other :)

I find that Vibram soles on my shoes cope well with this technique.

I use a complicated system of stored elastic energy with twisted elastic bands wrapped around my flywheel to keep the engine pulling nicely uphill without using more fuel ....

It is in the UK, it is considered as wreckless driving as you are not in full control of the vehicle, total rubbish, braking systems are very efficient these days compared to the past when the highway code was written.

It's also irrelevent.

Most modern engines will run lean on very low output using only 1 or two cylinders. All your doing is taking a risk especially if you really do turn the engine off while running as the steering lock could activate. I am thinking that your not being totally serious here but if you are can I suggest you do some Advanced driving? Your fuel economy will increase dramatically and you will be putting yourself and other people at a lot less risk.

I only drive downhill

then get recovered and dropped off at the top of the next hill

All amateurs!!

I have a sail on my car great when its windy to power my car

All amateurs!!

I have a sail on my car great when its windy to power my car

WHen I'm travelling adjacent to a train track I throw a rope and get pulled along. Fast!

I'll be damned!!!

What if you group a load of chavs together, tie them together and dangle some special brew in front of them like a donkey and carrot on a stick.

To get more speed add more cans or elizabeth duke jewellery

Friction is the key, whether it be wheels, brakes or air resistance.

I've covered my car in a tight fitting condom and vaseline. Watch me penetrate the impossible, watch me!

Friction is the key, whether it be wheels, brakes or air resistance.

I've covered my car in a tight fitting condom and vaseline. Watch me penetrate the impossible, watch me!

Pfft! Weight saving's the key.

I've removed all body panels and accessories apart from the drivers chair

In all seriousness I try to give my car some beans and use the brakes etc hard every so often, blow the cobwebs out and keep everything tiptop

I hope you're using Heinz Beans :rofl: