For the large majority of drivers (71%) fuel efficiency is important

However, 53% said they do not know how to become fuel efficient

This confusion about fuel efficiency has a negative emotional impact on these drivers

with 52% saying it causes them anxiety

Shell Super Fact or Fiction Report

To find out the common attitude of Pakistani motorists toward fuel efficiency, Shell commissioned a survey titled The Shell Super Fact or Fiction Report in which 1,000 Pakistani motorists aged 18 – 40 years participated.

Drivers are confused and anxious about fuel efficiency

9 in 10 (91%) warm up their engine before

they drive

8 in 10 (78%) keep their engine running

to avoid frequent restarts

Three-quarters (75%) fill up to half a tank or less to avoid excess weight or evaporation

Almost ALL drivers practice a number of fuel efficiency myths

They also practice a number of fuel efficient behaviors

Top Facts

97% - Checking your tyres to make sure they are properly inflated

96% - Choosing a fuel that helps improve fuel economy

96% - Ensuring your vehicle is regularly serviced

96% - Driving smoothly

95% - Turning off the engine when idle

Top Myths

95% – Driving slowly all the time

91% - Never using the heating, radio, or in-car lights

91% - Warming up the engine before you drive

83% - Turning on the air conditioning to avoid wind resistance

78% - Keeping the engine running to avoid frequent restarts

77%

Over three-quarters of drivers think that warming up their engine improves fuel efficiency

61%

6 in 10 drivers believe that keeping your engine running to avoid frequent restarts will improve fuel efficiency

48%

Almost half believe that filling up to half a tank or less to avoid excess weight or evaporation will improve fuel efficiency

Nearly all drive smoothly and ensure their vehicle is regularly serviced (96%)

Top 5 Myths and Facts – What Drivers DO

Many Drivers believe myths will improve fuel efficiency

They also believe facts improve fuel efficiency which further highlights their confusion on the issue

Top 5 ‘Myths’ and Facts – What drivers believe in

81% The large majority believes driving smoothly will improve fuel efficiency

78%8 in 10 believe turning off the engine when stationary/idle will improve fuel efficiency

Top Facts

81% - Driving smoothly (e.g. no harsh acceleration and braking)

78% - Turning off the engine when idle

77%- Checking your tyres to make sure they are properly inflated

77% - Ensuring your vehicle is regularly serviced

75% - Choosing a fuel that helps improve fuel economy

Top Myths

77% - Warming up the engine before you drive

76% – Driving slowly all the time

68% - Never using the heating, radio or interior lights

61% - Keeping your engine running to avoid frequent restarts

48%- Fill up to half a tank or less to avoid excess weight or evaporation

Energy efficient behaviours are practiced MORE at home

Drivers in Pakistan practice energy efficiency behaviours at home, but not in their vehicle due to their lack of knowledge about how to be fuel efficient.

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

However,

only 59% of drivers will frequently change into the

highest gear as soon as possible

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

93% will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the

house

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

85% will frequently switch off appliances

when not in use

STUDENTS have a Key Role to play in the Future…

Over three-quarters of drivers (79%) believe that the education of engineering and science students is important in helping to save fuel and energy in the future

Confusion about fuel efficiency means there is both a need and desire for drivers to be educated on the topic. Three-quarters of drivers (75%) think they themselves will have a large impact on future fuel saving behavior. However, it is clear they need education that can be delivered through a number of different individuals/organizations with the most preferable being car/motorbike manufacturers, scientists and engineers.

Engin

eers

Car/moto

rbike

man

ufactu

rers

Scientists

Professi

onal driv

ers Me

Private

compan

ies

Universi

ties

Govern

ments

Entre

preneurs

Everyd

ay ci

tizens

Celebrities

89%83%

77% 75% 75% 72% 70% 68%61% 61% 58%

Likely to help save fuel and energy in the future

As will new innovations

Alongside education, drivers also believe that innovations will play a key role in enabling them to be more fuel efficient in the future. Fuel efficient vehicles and innovations in new fuels are the developments that will have the most impact.

Fuel efficient vehicles are seen as relevant by 9 in 10 drivers

Car sharing and ride sharing

Driverless cars

Mass transit

Electric bikes

Public bike hire schemes

Innovations in fuel (e.g. new fuels)

Fuel efficient vehicles

45%

57%

69%

71%

72%

78%

88%

Relevant in helping to save fuel and energy in the future

Full List of Fictions

#1. ‘Burping’ the car by bouncing it immediately after filling releases air pockets, making you more fuel efficient.

FICTION!

The truth is... The fuel tank and filler pipes in modern vehicles are designed to avoid air pockets from forming. Modern fuels have also been developed to avoid foaming, especially in Diesel fuel. Fuel efficiency is achieved through smarter driving behaviour, and is not related to a marginal increase in the amount of fuel in the tank.

#2. Filling up at night when it is cooler allows you to fit more fuel in the tank, making you more efficient.

FICTION.

The truth is... Although liquids do expand and contract as they heat up and cool down, fuel at forecourts is stored underground in bulk volumes of 10,000 L or more, therefore the impact of the fluctuations in the outside temperature during the course of the day has a minimal impact on the volume of the fuel. Fuel efficiency is achieved through smarter driving behaviour, and is not related to a marginal increase in the volume of fuel in the tank.

#3. Using AC burns less fuel than driving with the windows down as there is no wind resistance.

FICTION.

The truth is... Wind resistance only decreases fuel efficiency when you reach speeds above 50mph/80kmph¹. Air conditioning (AC) puts added strain on the engine and uses fuel to operate. Therefore, use the AC sparingly. When driving at low speeds it is most fuel efficient to wind down the window or use the fan instead of the AC. When traveling at high speeds, keep the windows up and use the AC or fan.

¹ http://support.ford.com/maintenance/fuel-saving-tips

#4. Continuing to add fuel to the tank when it is full makes you more fuel efficient.

FICTION. The truth is... Fuel efficiency is achieved through smarter driving behaviour, and is not related to a marginal increase in the amount of fuel in the tank.

#5. Filling up to half a tank reduces weight and increases fuel efficiency, and avoids evaporation in the tank.

FICTION.

The truth is... Carrying extra weight negatively impacts fuel efficiency.

However, it is less fuel efficient to only half fill the tank because you will spend more fuel driving back and forth to the fuel station.

#6. Keeping the engine running when stationary is more fuel efficient than turning it off and on.

FICTION.

The truth is... Idling burns fuel and gets you nowhere. It is more fuel efficient

to turn-off your engine when stationary, and re-start it when you need it. Avoid excess idling whenever you can – turn off the engine when waiting for someone or something.

#7. A car will run more efficiently if the engine is warmed up before driving.

FICTION.

The truth is... For an identical journey, driven with an identical driving style, the best efficiency will be achieved using a fully warmed up engine. However, engines do not need to be ‘warmed up’ to drive, even in cold temperatures or at night, and idling an engine does not warm it up effectively.

#8. You use more fuel in a higher gear, so move down gears when you can to be more fuel efficient

FICTION.

The truth is... Using the wrong gear for the speed you are traveling burns more fuel. The higher gear you drive in, the lower your engine speed is, which can improve fuel efficiency. So change up a gear whenever you can, without labouring the engine. Change gear in good time when you pull away or when you’re accelerating. Never ‘redline’ the rev counter.

1All references to drivers in this presentation refer to both car drivers and motorcycle riders

2Source for all statistics in this document unless otherwise indicated: The Shell Fact or Fiction Report conducted by Edelman Berland, December 2014. To learn more about fuel efficiency, visit https://www.shell.com.pk/products-services/on-the-road/fuels/shell-super/overview.html

3Comparison between standard petrol and that same standard petrol containing our fuel economy formula. Actual benefits may vary according to vehicle, driving conditions and driving style. Not available on Shell Stations fed from Gatti and Mehmoodkot Depots. See www.shell.com.pk for more details