Diesel and petrol are two commodities that tend to become more expensive as days pass by. Fuel prices have been steadily rising over time.
The general consensus is to blame the vehicle’s poor mileage. But the vehicle’s fuel consumption can also be affected by your driving habits. Some vehicles are more fuel-efficient than others due to their engine size and body weight. For instance, light hatchbacks are more efficient because they are lighter and have smaller engines. SUVs, on the other hand, weigh more and consume more fuel. However, irrespective of your car’s size, it’s possible to combat rising fuel costs by ensuring your vehicle covers more miles per tank full of fuel. But how do you get more mileage from each litre of fuel you pay for? Here are the tips—
- Mind the throttle
Use the smallest throttle possible when driving. The engine consumes most of its fuel to overcome inertia and achieve speeds from stationary. To reduce this, accelerate slowly and steadily, while pushing the accelerator as gently as you can. You don’t necessarily need to avoid speed, but you should increase your speed slowly.
It’s like running a marathon. You need to plan your pace and have some energy in reserve. Driving at a faster speed will use more fuel than driving gently.
- Plan and drive
While we have to stop and go while driving, the trick is to make it smoother. Take a look at the traffic flow and see the road ahead. You can anticipate traffic movements and plan your manoeuvres to avoid excessive acceleration or braking. You can spot traffic signals early and let the vehicle smoothly come to a halt rather than pressing the brakes too hard.
You can save fuel by driving slowly and curbing the temptation to catch up to faster cars. It’s not worth anything.
- Save while waiting at the traffic signal
Modern engines are equipped with plenty of technology. They won’t bother you even if they get re-started often. Excessive idle time not only causes fuel consumption, but also pollutes the environment. Most traffic lights now display the time remaining before the green light turns on. If you’re going to be waiting for a long time, turn off your engine.
- The engine will have to work less if the vehicle is lighter.
Manufacturers try to keep vehicle weight as low and safe as possible. The engine will work less if the vehicle’s weight is lower as in that way, the amount of energy required would be lower. A lighter vehicle will use less fuel than one that is powered by the same engine but is heavy. So, if you want to save fuel, it is important to keep your vehicle as light as possible.
- A well-maintained vehicle will always offer great mileage
Car owners often make the common mistake of skipping regular maintenance thinking that it will save money. It is common for people to repair their cars only when they break down. It is important to service your car and replace its parts as recommended by the manufacturer in order to keep it healthy. A healthy car will run optimally and provide good fuel economy. Poorly maintained engines will not give you great economy. Thankfully, with a doorstep car repair app, keeping your car in top shape is super easy.
Some consumables, such as the oil filter, air filter, and the engine oil need to be replaced or changed regularly, preferably after a few thousand kilometres of running. For instance, an air filter keeps dust out of the engine. And, due to dusty conditions, it can become clogged. A clogged air filter can cause the engine to produce less power, which will make it consume more oil. Engine oil, on the other hand, is used to lubricate various moving parts. However, it can also cause grime to accumulate. Besides, high operating temperatures cause engine oil to lose its viscosity. Not replacing it often will strain the engine. And that is why, auto experts say that a well-maintained car uses lesser fuel as compared to one that is not maintained properly. For routine maintenance and repair, you can use a mobile app for car repairs.