Top 7 Tips for Saving Fuel

Driving a car to work and re-fuelling these are not one of the best things to do in India today. But lack of options for transport forces people to travel in their cars. Expenses on fuel can be curbed by simple methods. By implementing these methods one could always save more fuel than the manufacturer stated mileage levels.

1) The car burns most fuel when moving in the first gear, when the car is revved up. Accelerate gently to a comfortable speed and then shift to the next gear. In manual gearbox change the gear as soon as the car feels comfortable in first gear. In automatic gearbox, the transmission shifts quicker.

2) Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. Such exercises are usually carried out near traffic signals. Maintain a constant speed at 50-60 km/h or lower if required, in order to avoid sudden tension on braking and acceleration equipments. Over a period of time these equipment s could break down and cause irreversible damage to the car performance. The best thing to do will be to accelerate gently and roll back the speed slowly to a halt position.

3) Cruising at an average speed will save fuel in the long run. This will put less pressure on the engine. It has been noted by automobile experts that those cars driven over 60km/h are likely to increase fuel consumption by 5-10 percent. High speeds mean more power and that means the engine has to work harder to deliver the output. However, cruising at high speed once in a while does no harm.

4) Avoid idling in traffic signals or traffic jams. Keeping the engine idle for lengthy period will affect its performance. It is noted that a lot of fuel is wasted at such period when travelling. It is estimated that at least 10 percent of fuel can be saved when vehicle is switched off at signals and traffic jams. Interestingly, the hybrid cars are designed to cut down on fuel consumption when idling. The car automatically switches to electric power source as soon as it is kept in idle position.

5) Use air conditioner only when necessary. Air conditioners are known to consume as much fuel as is needed to run the car. That means fuel efficiency will be halved. A perfect solution will be run the air conditioner for a few minutes and switched off, when the cabin temperature is reduced. This way the driver will be able to enjoy a cooler cabin without compromising much on fuel efficiency.

6) Ensure that the car tyres are properly inflated. Make sure that the wheels are properly aligned. Read the owner’s manual to find the manufacturer recommended tyre pressure and follow the guidelines. Well inflated tyres can bring down fuel consumption and improve handling.

7) Ensure that car offers least resistance while driving at high speeds. Remove all exterior attachments, when not needed, which will slow down the car performance. Attachments like roof rails, heavy decorations on front fascia can cause resistance. Even the interiors slow down car performance. A light boot will increase performance and lessen fuel consumption.

Conclusion

However, for those who value a cars’ space more than its performance, could do well by keeping the car well maintained- check fuel level, engine wear and tear, check lubricants and other fluid levels, well tuned suspension, clean exhaust and other aspects. This will ensure that the car maintains its mileage ratings, while delivering a smooth ride quality.

A well-maintained car helps to improve fuel efficiency and lower maintenance cost.