What to know about fuel economy

Cars run at their best and are most fuel-efficient if well maintained.  Most drivers, however,  do not follow the manufacturer specified maintenance schedule/routine. Regardless of what car you drive, savings on the cost of fuel is always a welcome idea.

Here are some tips on how to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle:

 

1. Reduce excess weight

You’d be surprised how much all that junk in your car’s boot can weigh. If your car has front-wheel drive, putting extra weight on the rear axle means the front wheels aren’t getting as good a grip as they could be, which increases your fuel consumption. Furthermore, extra weight means the engine has to work harder to move the car, which also reduces your gas mileage. Don’t carry around items you don’t need. For every 50 pounds of weight in your vehicle, fuel economy decreases one to two per cent.

 

2. Properly inflate tires

Most people often inflate their tires when they look low, but even if they are slightly low, undetectable to the eye, they could significantly reduce your fuel economy. Basically, under-inflated tires result in your engine using more fuel to move the car.

Make sure your tires are inflated to the pressure indicated in your owner’s manual for the best balance between fuel efficiency and traction. This will translate into significant savings, as being under-inflated by 10 PSI per tire can cost you 47 litres/100km or more in fuel consumption.

 

3. Replace air filter and spark plugs

Replacing the air filter and spark plugs during a routine checkup/ service not only helps your car last longer, but your engine burns fuel more efficiently. For most cars, this simple task costs very little if you’re comfortable with DIY car maintenance.

 

4. Use the recommended engine oil

Don’t think that using any type of oil will work for your car – its engine is designed to work best with a specific type. If you use a heavier weight oil than is recommended, this could create too much friction and cause the engine to work harder and burn more fuel. Check your owner’s manual to see what’s recommended for your car, and utilise only that type of oil or its equivalent.

 

5. Check your fuel tank cap seal

Over time, the rubber seal on your fuel tank cap will begin to break down, allowing oxygen to leak into the tank. This causes an overabundance of air to enter the engine as it pulls fuel from the tank, and in turn, the engine burns more of it.

Replacing the fuel tank cap is quite simple for most cars, and doing so every few years means you’ll always one with a nice tight seal. An air-tight seal also prevents evaporation of fuel from the tank, especially when parked under the hot sun.

 

6. Drive at the speed limit or below

Most cars burn fuel less efficiently at speeds of 100km/hour or higher. Driving slower has an immediate effect on your gas mileage.

 

7. Keep track of your fuel economy.

A drop in your vehicle’s fuel economy can be a sign of engine trouble. Keep track of your fuel economy by noting the odometer reading and the volume of fuel purchased each time you fill-up. To calculate your gas mileage, divide the distance travelled between fill-ups by the number of litres purchased. Most hybrid cars and even some conventional gas vehicles have special gauges that make it even easier to keep track of your fuel economy in real-time, so you can see how your driving habits are impacting your fuel efficiency. It is no secret that the cost of fuel is not cheap and there is little option when it comes to commuting. Moving around cost-effectively becomes the smart choice to make and these are actually ways to help achieve this.