Ask an expert

Hi - I run a 2004 Honda CRV Sport. It is a great vehicle on the open road and I have no complaints about fuel consumption there, but unfortunately I now have to do a lot of town running and here the CRV really gobbles the juice. Would there be any merit in me knocking off the overdrive during town running in a bid to cut fuel consumption? Many thans Jim

It's the stop/start and relatively slow pace, slowing down, accelerating away and need for coping with fluctuations in traffic speed, volume and conditions that gobbles the juice. Being in the correct rev range for the speed you're travelling at has some impact, but it's not the primary cause of high fuel consumption in town, so turning off the overdrive will have little impact, and given that some of your town driving will be on main roads in top gear, could possibly make things worse.
On the open road, you're driving more evenly, with lower engine revs and less stop/start, therefore, unfortunately the city driving you're having to do now will result in higher fuel consumption.