Globally the cost of energy is rising. If you are concerned about how to reduce your fuel consumption and increase fuel efficiency, today we shall share some simple but effective proven ways to achieve this.
By following the shared tips below, you will be amazed at how much fuel you conserve.
Adhere to correct Tyre pressure specification
Ensure that the pressure of the tyres of your vehicle is always maintained at the recommended manufacturer’s specifications – do not over or under-inflate. When tyres are inflated below the recommended pressure, it increases rolling resistance, causing more friction which requires more fuel to overcome. A 10psi reduction in tyre pressure can decrease fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent.
Tyres are classified from A to G on the strength of their fuel efficiency by the European Commission. A tyre rated A can help you improve fuel efficiency by as much as 7.5 percent compared with a G-rated tyre.
Driving a vehicle with under-inflated tyres can also reduce the lifespan of your tires by more than 10,000km.
Reduce load in the vehicle’s trunk
Fuel consumption increases by 2 percent for every increase in weight of the vehicle by 50kg. Every additional load carried in the trunk adds to the weight of the vehicle therefore carry only important items such as the emergency spare tyre. Avoid carrying unnecessary loads.
Use your gears efficiently
If you are driving a car with a manual gear, change to a higher gear when it is appropriate. For automatic gear car drivers, use cruise control to maintain a steady speed. Generally do not accelerate rapidly from a complete stop or when climbing hills, as this significantly increases fuel consumption.
Accelerate gently
You expend more fuel when you accelerate hard. By pressing the accelerator pedal gently, the quantity of fuel consumed is less. Accelerating your vehicle up to 20 kilometers per hour from a stop, over five seconds, enhances fuel efficiency.
Plan your route
Frequent acceleration and braking consume more fuel. Plan your routes to avoid areas with frequent traffic stops. Driving during off-peak hours is recommended where possible to avoid traffic congestion that may increase the frequency of acceleration and braking.
Use navigational apps
Use technology such as navigational apps like Google Maps to find the most efficient routes to avoid traffic-congested areas.
Maintain ideal speed
You consume around 15% more fuel while driving at 100km/h in contrast with a speed of 90km/h, increased speed burns more fuel. Likewise if you are driving beneath 50km/h, this might require the vehicle to run in a lower gear, leading to higher fuel consumption. To ration fuel, the best speed range is between 50km/h and 90km/h on the expressway.
At 120km/hour, a vehicle utilizes around 20% more fuel than at 100km/hour.
Also at the point when your speed rises and falls, you utilize more fuel. According to trials conducted, when you drive at a speed between 75 and 85 kilometers per hour every 18 seconds, your fuel consumption can rise by 20%. If the conditions permit, think about using cruise control when driving on highways. When you drive uphill, drop your speed, then pick up when you move downhill.
Avoid frequent and sudden braking
When driving keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead of you to avoid frequent and sudden braking followed by acceleration as this increases fuel consumption. Keeping a good distance will allow for smooth deceleration.
When you approach speed breakers/bumps, do not rapidly increase your speed and then suddenly apply brakes to go over the breaker. Rather drive at a constant speed of between 15 to 20mph unless your car is very low or the speed breakers are really high.
Ensure the fuel tank cap is tightly locked
Make sure the fuel tank cap is always tightly locked to prevent the evaporation of fuel resulting in fuel loss.
Always turn off your engine
Turn off your vehicle engine if you are going to be stationary for more than three minutes. A stationary vehicle with an engine running consumes fuel.
Regular vehicle servicing
Servicing your car engine regularly helps to keep fuel efficiency at its peak. Using the correct lubricants and parts during servicing contributes to improved fuel efficiency as it prevents sludge formation and corrosion, ensuring smooth movement of engine parts, reducing friction, and maximizing engine power.
Discard your vehicle roof racks
Fuel consumption can be increased by aerodynamic drag by as high as 20 percent on the highway. So when not in use, take off your vehicle roof racks.
Turn off the air conditioning
Fuel consumption of a vehicle can increase to as much as 20 percent when the air conditioning is turned on. You can avoid this when driving within the town by rolling down the windows. If you are driving on the highway, use the flow-through ventilation system with the windows up to reduce fuel consumption.
However, if you are to use air conditioning, use the re-circulate option, this minimizes the impact.
Utilize a fuel consumption display
View the effect of the five fuel-proficient driving procedures first hand with the assistance of a fuel consumption display – a component that is now standard on numerous vehicles. Some recent vehicles come fitted with considerably more refined displays that break down speed varieties, shift points for manual transmissions, and driving habits like speed increase and slowing down times. Numerous drivers consume 15% less fuel by following up on the input that fuel consumption displays give.
Keep track of your fuel consumption
Every time you put fuel into your vehicle’s tank, take a record of the mileage reading. This will enable you to monitor your fuel consumption.
It will likewise assist you to observe any anomalies and apply corrective measures to rectify them, which may include taking the vehicle in for maintenance.
Generator alternative to power homes/offices
In the event that you depend on petroleum generators to drive your homes, think about elective choices like solar energy or changing your generators to work on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) where it is applicable. My preferred choice is solar energy. It is vital to ensure that your generator conversion is done by a certified specialist – who has the expertise necessary to carry out the conversion process safely and effectively, ensuring optimal performance and safety.
