HOW TO SAVE FUEL – FUEL ECONOMY TIPS

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Buying a car comes easy but maintaining it can be a hustle. Trouble sets in when you have limited resources to fuel it. Fuel gauge warning on the dashboard is the last thing you want to see while driving in the middle of nowhere. However, a number of motorists have found themselves in this situation. A good driver should constantly monitor his/ her fuel gauge while driving so as not to be caught unawares with a gaping tank. Running around seeking help from strangers or leaving your car behind to rush for fuel at a gas station is something you don’t want to experience. Below are some of the fuel economy tips that will save your pockets from running dry especially if you are driving one of the fuel guzzlers available in the market.

Fuel Saving Tips for Drivers

My number one advice for drivers would be: “go for a vehicle you can afford”. The best option is obviously a fuel efficient car considering gas costs can be a big concern. Note that you don’t have to waste money even if you can afford it. Ask Robert Kiyosaki. Below are tips that will help you reduce fuel consumption of your car:

Service your Car Regularly

The quality of your engine oil will affect your fuel economy. Ensure that you always stick to your car service schedule. Furthermore, go for the best quality engine oil available in the market no matter how expensive it might be. This will ensure that your engine runs smoothly and efficiently and consequently, this will save your fuel a great deal.

2. Go Slow on the accelerator

Flooring the accelerator so as to appease your ego by overtaking all vehicles in the vicinity won’t do you any good. Apart from endangering yourself, you will end up using more fuel than necessary. Driving fast at a higher gear so as to avoid shifting to low gear isn’t advisable either. This applies to manual transmission. Luckily, the automatic car does the choosing for you by shifting to the best gear at the moment. Go slow on the accelerator and you will save a lot of fuel.

3. Check your Wheel pressure

Low tire pressure of your vehicle means more fuel spend on the road. This is because it causes a drag that pulls you back a few miles. Check your tire pressure fortnightly to confirm that the tire pressure is the way it should be. Note that this does not mean that you should over-inflate your tires looking for agility. This can easily cause lines of weakness on your tire and can lead to a burst. Tire pressure can be checked at the gas station if you don’t have the gadgets to do so. If your car is pre-installed with tire pressure monitoring system, make a point to monitor it always so as to act in case of a deficit.

4. Switch off Unnecessary Gadgets

You don’t have to drive with the air conditioner on no matter how hot it is. Just roll down your windows instead and let the breeze cool the inside of your vehicle. Switch off for the air conditioner because it consumes extra fuel. Why waste fuel yet you can save it?

5. Let go of unnecessary weight

A car packed with luggage and extra weight requires more fuel to move. Therefore, unless it’s really necessary, don’t leave unnecessary items in your trunk just because you are lazy to take them back into the house. Unpack your camping luggage, child seats and shopping. Get rid of replaced spare parts and junk. Remember, the more the weight you carry, the more the fuel required to move it around.

6. Remove the roof rack

People like to have roof racks on their vehicles even when they don’t necessarily use them most of the time. Some vehicles even look stylish with them. However, this increases drag and makes your car use more fuel than necessary. If you must have a roof rack, get the latest version that can easily be fixed and detached after the task intended.

7. Make fewer trips

A vehicle uses a lot of fuel within the first few miles before warming up. To save on fuel, combine all your daily errands into one trip if possible? Avoiding unnecessary trips will save you a few bucks in fuel expenses.

8. Avoid Long Idling

Idling for long periods of time, whether at a traffic jam, a shop or pulling off the road to talk to a friend or receive a phone call consumes gas that could be saved by simply turning off the engine. Restarting your engine uses about the same amount of gas as idling for 30 seconds. Switch off the engine instead of idling for long periods of time. Avoid rush hours as much as possible. It is expensive because every time you start and stop in traffic, your car needs first gear and a huge amount of fuel to get moving again. Second gear is even worse. If you can’t avoid traffic jams due to your locality and nature of job you are engaged in, then consider purchasing a hybrid car which uses less fuel in town than petrol or diesel car.

9. Shop Around for Best Fuel Prices

There is no harm in shopping around for discount retailers and gas companies that often charge less than the competition to get customers on their stacks. In addition, purchase lots of fuel when the prices drop so as to save a few bucks.

10. Make Your Vehicle More Aerodynamic

Wind aerodynamic drag is one cause of reduced fuel mileage. This is because it makes the engine to work harder thereby reducing fuel economy. Minimize wind drag by keeping the windows rolled up while on the highway. This allows air to flow over the body of your well designed vehicle rather than drawing it inside the car thereby slowing it down.

11. Avoid Uphill Acceleration

When going up a hill, the engine is already working so hard to overcome gravity pull. Pushing it harder by stepping on the gas is simply a waste of fuel.

Lastly, The 11 tips captured above will surely help you save some cash on fuel. You can add a few tips of your own on your driving experience. If you have any question concerning your car, feel free to drop your comment below.