Honda upfront on fuel statistics

Demonstrator Honda cars will carry a sticker with fuel and emission data.

Honda will put stickers on the windscreens of demonstrator cars to display fuel economy figures and exhaust emission levels. When the practice starts next month, it will be the first carmaker in New Zealand to use the stickers, which are specific to the model, engine capacity and transmission.

The concern of customers for fuel economy has been appreciated by Honda since 2003, when a return test route between Auckland to Taupo was established, says Honda NZ managing director Graeme Seymour.

It gave customers the benefit of benchmark consumption across the Honda range and a target for optimal economy when driving at normal highway speeds in New Zealand conditions.

Exhaust emissions had been "a focus for Honda for many years and we are pleased to provide more clarity in this area", Seymour says.

There is some debate in the New Zealand industry about more use of such information. Some carmakers want fuel economy and emission stickers fixed to the windscreens of every new car.

Others oppose the move, saying the information is based almost exclusively based on tests in the vehicle's country of origin and not under New Zealand conditions.

But unlike may countries, New Zealand has no official fuel economy standard that carmakers can measure their products against. And it has no emissions standards either other than the dopey "smoky vehicle" rule that says if an exhaust spews out smoke non-stop for 10 seconds the vehicle is dirty and should be reported. Half the vehicles in New Zealand should be off the road on that basis.

Honda's head office in Japan says that since 1995 it has reduced fuel consumption by an average of 30 per cent and emissions by 86 per cent. It is aiming for a further 5 per cent in fuel savings by 2010.

"This performance is reflected in New Zealand with Honda's performance in the EnergyWise Rally in both 2002 and 2004, and fuel efficiency improvements seen in new models such as the new Civic sedan," Seymour says.

The previous petrol-powered Civic finished high in the field in the 1600km real-world rally, won by a 1.5-litre petrol-electric Toyota Prius which swallowed 4.02 litres/100km (70.3mpg).

While the new Civic is Honda's sales star - the waiting-list extends to April - the facelifted 3-litre V6 version ($39,000 to $52,300) of the Accord is its latest arrival. Style has been updated inside and out. Among the interior revisions are a different console and dials.

The car gets a stability control system for the first time.

The list of standard equipment is extensive. Top-range models get side-curtain airbags, rain-sensing wipers, sunroof, and leather.

Sport and Mugen models also continue. The Mugen exhaust has been re-tuned and provides up to five per cent more power.

Irrespective of what's under the bonnet, there are techniques that save fuel and lessen the impact on the environment.

* Ask yourself if you really need to drive. Short journeys cause the most pollution and are inefficient in terms of fuel consumption. A straining cold engine will produce 60 per cent more pollution than a warm one.

* Plan the most direct route and go off-peak if possible.

* Have your vehicle serviced regularly. Under-serviced engines can reduce fuel economy by 10 per cent. Catalytic converters are environmentally friendly but only if properly maintained.* Correct tyre pressures will keep wear down and fuel economy up. Under-inflated tyres need replacing more often.* Obey the speed limits and "feather" the throttle as you reach cruising speed. Doing 90mk/h on the open road uses 25 per cent less fuel than 110km/h and a smoother driving style saves fuel.

* Reduce the drag factor: remove unused roof racks; avoid heavy accessories and wide tyres that add resistance; air-conditioning lowers fuel economy so cut down the settings.

* Use accelerator sense. Do you go straight from the accelerator to the brake? You would save fuel if you planned ahead, and rather than have to brake as you hit traffic, gently let the speed of the vehicle bring you to a halt as you join a queue.

* Reverse in when you park. When you start off again, the engine will be cold and at its most fuel inefficient. If you can drive smoothly away without having to reverse when the engine is cold, not only will you save fuel you will also have better visibility.

* Be a tank miser. Why fill the tank up to the very brim? If you do so, you may be carrying around additional fuel, which in turn means that you have more weight on board than is necessary.