- Activate the feature easily by selecting the vehicle type.
Google Maps: Nowadays, most of the people use Google Maps to find their way, but very few people know that this app also has a feature which can help in saving the fuel of your car. Amidst the rising prices of petrol and diesel, this option of Google Maps can prove to be very useful for people traveling daily.
What is the Fuel-Efficient Routes feature of Google Maps?
A feature called Fuel-Efficient Routes has been provided in Google Maps which suggests not only the fastest route but also the route that consumes less fuel. This feature is available on both Android and iPhone.
Usually people choose the shortest route as soon as they open Google Maps, but this feature searches for such routes where the vehicle has to spend less fuel. Sometimes this route may take a few minutes more but it can save fuel.
How to decide the path with less fuel?
Google Maps analyzes many important things like
- traffic situation on the road
- uphill and downhill
- Possibility of frequent stopping and moving
- How constant can the vehicle’s speed remain?
- total distance
Based on all this information, the app tries to suggest a route that puts less pressure on the engine and reduces fuel consumption.
Suggestions vary according to the type of vehicle
According to Google, methods of saving fuel may also be different for vehicles with different engines. Diesel cars often give better mileage on the highway. Hybrid and electric vehicles can be more effective in city traffic. If users do not choose the engine type, Google Maps suggests the route assuming a petrol vehicle by default. For this reason, choosing the right engine type can further improve route accuracy.
How to turn on this hidden setting
It takes less than a minute to activate this feature.
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap on the profile photo that appears above.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Navigation Settings.
- Tap on Route Options.
- Turn on the Prefer Fuel-Efficient Routes option.
After this you can also choose the engine type of your car, petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric.
When this feature is active, Google Maps will sometimes show routes with a green leaf icon that can use less fuel.
Will it actually save money?
The answer to this question depends on your driving style and route of travel. Google says that this feature tries to reduce fuel consumption by avoiding heavy traffic, frequent braking conditions and difficult roads. If you commute to office daily or regularly travel long distances, small savings can turn into a good amount over time.
However, results are not the same everywhere. Some people say that the suggested route may sometimes be a little longer or less convenient, while many users have experienced fuel savings when continuously traveling the same route.
This trick is worth trying amid rising fuel expenses.
If you are worried about the rising cost of petrol or diesel, then you must try this setting of Google Maps. There is no extra cost to activate it and it can work in the background to help you save fuel on every journey.
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