One thing that we surely don’t have control over is the fuel prices. But what you can control is your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Each vehicle’s fuel consumption depends on its body weight, engine size, and driving habits too. There are a few simple driving measures you can stick to, to extract more kilometers out of your fuel.
- Drive with anticipation: When you drive in traffic, anticipate the way traffic is moving and plan your movement to avoid unnecessary acceleration or braking. When you spot a signal ahead, allow your vehicle to slow down smoothly instead of hitting the brakes hard. Put a habit of driving at a steady speed to save fuel.
- Conservative driving helps: Avoid rapid acceleration and hitting brakes hard when you drive. Use the least amount of throttle, as your engine uses the most fuel in attaining speed. Build the speed smooth and steady, just like in a marathon.
- Shed off trunk weight: There is a lesser strain on the engine when the overall weight of your vehicle is low. A lighter vehicle consumes less fuel compared to a heavy-weight vehicle even with the same engine. Check the trunk to remove any unnecessary items. You should also remove the roof rack if you no longer use it.
- Check tire pressure: You might not be aware of the role tires play in achieving fuel efficiency. A lot of engine power goes into rolling the tires as they create resistance while driving. Low tire pressure can make the engine work more, thereby consuming more fuel. Hence, check the tire pressure regularly to keep them inflated and get the tires aligned.
- Good maintenance: If you think your car needs servicing only if it breaks down, then you are wrong. Keeping your car healthy by servicing all the components at regular intervals helps achieve good fuel efficiency. The air and oil filter most importantly need to be cleaned regularly to avoid clogging. Replacing engine oil will ensure lubrication and help the components to run smoothly.
Following these tricks can help you keep your car in good condition and achieve higher fuel efficiency. You may not be able to control external factors such as traffic congestion, road conditions, and fuel prices. But make sure you plan your trip before running errands to save fuel and time. Avoid engine idling as it consumes a lot of fuel and switch off your engine if you are going to wait for a while. Your driving habits play an important role, hence prefer gentle shifts of gear, acceleration, and braking.