Save Fuel, Save Money

In these tough financial times, saving money in any way we can is one of the most important things that can be done to help soften the blow. With recent increases, large ones to say the least, in fuel prices all around the world, one way in which it is possible to save money is by being more conscientious when it comes to fuel usage./p>

 

Here are a few tips (adapted and taken from About dot com experts) on how to better manage your fuel consumption in order to save money both short and long term. Remember, different cars and vehicles use fuel in different ways, but these tips will generally help out, although results may vary from model to model.

 

1.       One of the best ways to save petrol is to simply reduce your speed. As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. If you are one of the “ten over the limit on the highway” types, try driving the speed limit for a few days. You'll save a lot of fuel and your journey won't take much longer.

 

2.       Under-inflated tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of bad Km/Litre. Tires lose air due to time (about 1 psi per month) and temperature; under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more fuel to keep your car moving. Buy a reliable tire gauge and check your tires at least once a month. Be sure to check them when they are cold, since driving the car warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which increases pressure and gives a falsely high reading. Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner's manual or on the data plate in the driver's door panel.

 

3.       A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. Air filters are easy to check and change; remove the filter and hold it up to the sun. If you can't see light coming through it, you need a new one. Consider a"permanent" filter which is cleaned rather than changed; they are much less restrictive than throw-away paper filters, plus they're better for the environment.

 

4.       Immediate, jerking starts are an obvious fuel-waster, but that doesn't mean you should crawl away from every stop. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears. Manual divers should shift early to keep the revs down, but force the engine to work once you’re up there. Downshift if you need to accelerate. Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If you accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, that's wasted fuel.

 

5.       Ever notice how, in bad traffic jams, cars seem to constantly speed up and slow down, while trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely pace? A constant speed keeps shifting to a minimum, important to those who have to wrangle with those ten-speed truck transmissions but it also aids economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving. Rolling in the same way as the bigger vehicles saves fuel.

 

6.       Consider shutting off the air conditioner, opening the windows and enjoying the breeze. It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds you'll save fuel. That said, at higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.

 

7.       New wheels and tires may look cool, and they can certainly improve handling. But if they are wider than the stock tires, chances are they'll create more rolling resistance and decrease fuel economy. If you upgrade your wheels and tires, keep the old ones. I have fancy sport rims and aggressive tires on my own car, but I keep the stock wheels with a good narrower-tread performance tire in the garage. For long road trips, the stock wheels give a smoother ride and better economy.

 

8.       If you're the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness, periodically go through your car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It doesn't take much to acquire an extra 25-30kg worth of stuff, and the more weight your car has to lug around, the more fuel it burns.

 

9.       Not a popular thing to say to those who are used to having cars readily available, I know, but the fact is that if you can avoid driving, you'll save fuel. Take the bus, taxi, carpool, and consolidate your shopping trips. Walking or biking is good for your wallet and your health. And before you get in your car, always ask yourself: "Is this trip really necessary?"

 

10.   If you're shopping for a new car, (now that you’ve saved all of that money on fuel by using the tips mentioned above!) it's time to re-evaluate how much car you really need. Smaller cars are inherently more fuel-efficient, and today's small cars are safer and roomier than ever. And if you've never considered a hybrid, maybe it's time -- hybrids really do work, and new entries like Toyota's compact Prius c and SUV-sized Prius v the sporty Honda CR-Z make it easier than ever to find a hybrid you can live with.