If you’re worried about fuel prices or want to reduce the environmental impact of your driving, you don’t necessarily need to replace your current vehicle with a hybrid or newer car. Did you know that if you don’t carry out regular maintenance, your car can use up to 30% more fuel? We all understand the importance of regular car maintenance, but for various reasons, we don’t do it often enough.
Fortunately, your control over fuel costs is much greater than you think. With these 5 simple methods to increase fuel efficiency, you can boost your car’s fuel efficiency.
Make Your Car Lighter
Your car’s consumption can suffer from clutter. The more fuel it uses, the more weight you have to carry around. Items in the boot or back seat that you don’t use often can add unnecessary weight to your car, increasing your fuel costs.
Clear your car and consider what you don’t need for every trip, such as pushchairs, scooters and beach equipment. Even roof racks can be removed when not in use.
Use The Air Conditioning Less Often
Every car is different depending on its make and model. But in general, if you are driving slowly, rolling down the windows is a more effective way to cool down than turning on the air conditioning. However, on the motorway or on the open road, it may be better to roll down the windows and use the air conditioner.
By preparing in advance and storing your gloves in a glove box, you can avoid getting cold when the weather starts to cool down. After all, this is the original rationale for installing glove boxes in the first place. In addition, if you park for long periods in warm weather, you can save fuel by switching off the engine and seeking relief outside the car.
Consider Your Driving Technique
Your driving style has a direct impact on fuel consumption, because the more force you put on the pedal, the more fuel you use.
To save fuel, fuel economy experts advise drivers to pay attention to how smoothly they drive. It is very important to drive smoothly. Since you want to use as little energy as possible, avoid excessive acceleration and braking.
Fuel can be saved by accelerating gradually and braking early when it makes sense. Make sure you always shift into the correct gear when driving a vehicle with a manual gearbox and avoid maintaining high revs for long periods.
Drive In The Highest Gear
For an automatic vehicle, use the cruise control to maintain a constant speed. In addition, keep manual cars in higher gear if necessary. Each of these scenarios reduces engine revolutions per minute (RPM), which reduces fuel consumption.
Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Proper vehicle maintenance is a quick way to increase fuel efficiency. Make sure your car is serviced by a professional mechanic as often as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. In addition, contact a mechanic as soon as possible if you notice any problems or have any concerns.
Between services, you can check the oil level yourself and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Flat tires can significantly increase the road resistance of your vehicle, which increases fuel consumption.
