dont see this as technical but others may whats the best way to get better mpg from a 2001 6n2 1.0l polo ?

Keep it serviced, tyres at the right pressure, and don't drive fast.

Smooth driving. Anticipation of other drivers actions in advance so you avoid unnecessary braking and subsequent acceleration. You can learn these things on a refresher driving course or if you've been driving many years without accident or points, an advanced driving course.

I used to be an Approved Driving Instructor but had to stop due to health problems. People think they are good (efficient) drivers until they have their driving analysed by professionals. Everyones driving, including my own, worsens unless you constantly learn, remember, and keep on top of bad habits. It sounds obvious but it isn't always.

Know your car well and keep it well maintained - as said. Listen to your car every time you drive. You'll pick up on different noises all the time. Once you hear a noise - try to work out what it is and if it's a fault or something that will affect your mileage. If you've got a binding hand brake and don't know how to listen out for it (even if it's only a bit) this will affect your miles. I can hear the fuel pump but I know it's just normal noise and not something that will affect my miles. You'll know what your car sounds like - new noises are often problems.

As stated, look for under-inflated tires and bad tracking. I'm not saying go and get your tracking checked every week. Instead, look out for uneven tire wear and look after your alignment by not unnecessarily banging into kerbs - take speed bumps at a speed that's comfortable for you passengers - it will be better for your car too.

Keep track of the number of miles you'll do on a tank. If you think you're doing everything well or even only average and you tank drops quickly then suspect faults with your car and get it investigated.

Can't think of much else for now. Hope that helps.

Keep your distance - that way, when the car in front has to brake, like to turn off, you don't have to. You can't drive with fluidity if you're governed by the car in front.

MikeyMK makes a good point that I overlooked.

To help with distance google "2 second rule". Once you start practicing this you'll get better at distancing and will automatically be able to judge your distance at various common speeds. It's a safety rule for stopping distances but it also helps you set a minimum distance between you and the next car for economical driving. There is certainly such a thing as driving too far away from the car in front (especially in heavy traffic) - the rule helps with that too.

If you think you're counting too fast you can say out loud things like "One Thousand, Two Thousand" or "One Potato, Two Potato".

Unless things have changed since I was an ADI: the rule goes up to 4 seconds in the wet and at least 10 seconds in icy conditions (that is what used to be taught). So you'll be practicing 2 seconds and 4 seconds mostly. In my opinion the rule for ice is far less useful unfortunately - just my opinion.

One thing I just thought of. In my Polo handbook (that came with the car) it gives a graph of what is the optimum revs to change gear at - it will save you fuel but you'll probably have to change your driving style. Check your Polo handbook.

Edited 19 January, 201412 yr by cosaw