Have you seen the price of petrol these days? It remains expensive despite crashing oil prices, averaging around ₤1.14 per litre. It’s more important than ever, then, to ensure that you are getting the most efficient fuel consumption rate that you can. If your car is a hybrid, then you’re likely saving a lot by switching to the electric motor while in the city. How can hybrids and conventional combustion-engine cars further save on fuel, though?
- Keep up with maintenance and repairs
If you’ve got damaged alloys, then seek buckled alloy wheel repair professionals to help you. If you haven’t changed your filters, checked your tyre pressure, replenished the car’s fluids, had the exhaust checked and the myriad other things you need to keep on top of, then you can expect the fuel consumption rate to be among the first things to suffer.
- Pay special attention to your wheels and tyres
Keeping the engine maintained is what most people think of first when trying to maximise fuel efficiency. One area some people forget, however, is the wheels. New and part worn tyres can all contribute, if they’re not properly inflated, for example. If you’re in need of buckled alloy wheel repair, that too will be impacting your drive, making the wheels imbalanced. Beyond petrol, that makes the car unsafe for use on the road.
- Don’t overload the car
Do you find yourself piling more and more gear into your car? It’s common for family cars. It starts with a sports bag, but soon evolves into kids’ sporting equipment, extra clothes, bottles of water, heavy shopping, winter coats…the list keeps growing. The car can become something of a dumping ground; an additional storage space when they house is full. The heavier the car is, the harder the engine has to work. Empty out all but the essentials. Traveling lighter means fuel savings.
- Avoid the repetitive “accelerate-brake” cycle
Some people are rather hasty in their driving style. They set off with a burst of acceleration, only to have to brake equally hard as the junction ahead comes closer. This cycle of rapid acceleration followed by sharp braking is a real gas-guzzling approach to driving. If this sounds like you, try to alter your habits to a more even-handed style. Accelerate steadily, keep your car in a high gear as much as possible, and break the cycle.
- Turn of the engine while idling
If you drive in the city and frequently meet heavy traffic, use your experience to judge how long the wait might be. If it’s under a minute before you get moving again, then you can carry on. If the wait, however, will be more than 1 minute, then it becomes economical to switch off the engine. The rate of burn while idling can be as much as one fifth of a gallon per hour. That’s all waste!
Saving petrol while driving is all about good habits. Waste is the natural product of bad habits, so try to alter your driving behaviour, and you’ll start to see the savings roll in.
