Being a better driver this Ramadan

Ramadan is a blessed season of self-restraint, prayer, fasting and charity – overall, a good time to polish and practise virtuous behaviour. This applies to driving habits too. Good behaviour and virtues do pay off anywhere, and on road the rewards could range from safer driving to better performance and improved fuel economy. Our Ramadan reading involves insights for drivers, with practical inputs from Nassib Nassar, Director Marketing & CRM – Volume Brands at Al Habtoor Motors.

With the relatively relaxed working hours and opportunities to spend quality time, Ramadan is also known to be ‘family time’. Ask any enthusiast, family includes our cars too; dedicating some time to check the health and shape of our four-wheeled companion is in order. A well-maintained car not only adds years but also facilitates optimal performance and fuel efficiency. With the easier work schedule, a visit to your garage is in order for a complete check of your oil, spark plugs, fluid levels etc., and with summer just round the corner there is no better time to prepare for it proactively.

Air filters are of particular importance in our region – often it is quite obvious to even the untrained eye if it is full of dust and dirt! A clean filter ensures better airflow to the engine, improving combustion efficiency and therefore fuel economy. Engine oil is another important factor that reduces friction and improves energy efficiency, which usually isn’t a worry for new cars that are being serviced with the authorised dealer and service network. But if your car is older and you are resorting to another garage, make sure to use the right specs and recommended quality by going by the book (manual) or double-checking with the authorized service advisor of your car brand.

Talking about friction, tyre-checks are of great importance, especially as the temperatures tend to climb throughout the month before full-blown summer and with the increasing weather warnings we have been witnessing. While under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and make engines work harder, it is all the more important to check the tread and age of the tyres. Badly worn-out tyres are not only less fuel efficientbut could also be a braking hazard on wet roads. Look for other warning signs on the dashboard to off-load worries about the condition of your car – you deserve a calm and peaceful Ramadan.

Good thoughts and fasting keep the mind and body lighter in the holy month; it pays to keep your car lighter too by giving your car some spring-cleaning. Remove bulky stuff long-forgotten in the boot and empty the clutter from the cabin. You not only breathe better and travel in comfort in a clutter-free cabin but also remember that a lighter car needs less fuel to keep moving.

No time like the season of charity and goodwill to practise the supreme virtues of patience and tolerance – and there is no better place to see it in action than the road. Rushing for Iftar with ironic impatience, feeling grumpy from being tired – all these add to traffic woes as a greater than usual presence of cars clogs the morning hours and early evening rush hours.

Generally speaking too, your driving style can have a huge impact on burning fuel. Short bursts of acceleration and abrupt braking that mark an aggressive driving style can not only pose safety risks but also take away from fuel efficiency. Go easy on the pedal while gaining speed and losing it, and ensure a safe distance from the car in front to make space for composed braking.

Going easy and staying calm can benefit greatly from planned and prepared driving. Using GPS guidance like Waze and real-time traffic alerts on radio will not only help you reach home for Iftar or office on time, it will help you avoid crawling in traffic or idling for longer than necessary. In fact, stop and go traffic can be demanding on the engine and burn up more fuel. Moreover, tackling both scenarios not only conserves fuel but also reduces emissions. Being prepared for the journey and increasing your presence of mind on the road can also reduce those irksome accidents caused by dropping attention and tiredness.

Yes, the weather is still pleasant but if you are driving at speeds higher than 80 kmph, or when on windy highways, it is always more fuel efficient to keep the AC on and roll up the windows – which will minimize aerodynamic drag and reduce resistance.

These tips and practices are not just for Ramadan, needless to say, just like any other virtue. The holy month and the charitable mind offer a perfect setting to practise a patient and gentle demeanour on the road, but they are for all year round, and so are their rewards.

Cover visual courtesy: Continental tyres/Drivemeonline archives