Petrol-saving myths to ignore
There are many ways to lower fuel costs, but some advice is outdated or simply incorrect.
With the petrol price increasing this month, most of us are looking for ways to lower our expenses.
There are many strategies to save on petrol, but some of the information is outdated or plain false.
Four petrol-saving myths to ignore:
Premium fuel is best
Many think using high-octane fuel increases their car’s power. If the manufacturer suggests using premium fuel, follow their recommendation. High-performance cars frequently operate in this manner.
Warm up your car before driving
Avoid wasting fuel on preheating the engine. Engines based on new technology can warm up in 20 to 30 seconds, whereas earlier engines need longer. You can start driving your car right away but do not accelerate quickly in the beginning.
You get more petrol when filling up in the morning
According to the hypothesis, petrol expands at warmer temperatures and becomes denser in the morning cold. Because we measure fuel in litres, not kg, when you fill the petrol tank on a cold morning, you should get more fuel.
But this theory has a problem: petrol station fuel reservoirs do not undergo significant temperature changes. Concrete is placed over the tanks to prevent heat transfer. As a result, the fuel’s temperature and quantity remain constant, regardless of the outside temperature.
Idling your car is more fuel efficient than turning it on and off
It is a common misconception that restarting your engine uses more petrol than letting it idle for a while.
Carburettor-equipped engines exhibited this phenomenon. Meanwhile, modern engines which use direct or electronic fuel injection methods are wiser than that. Turning off a car without a carburettor and made after 1980 can save more fuel than letting it idle.
Regular car maintenance is one of the tried-and-tested strategies to save on petrol.
• Information from MotorHappy
