AS petrol prices go through the roof with rumours of more increases in the future, making our tank of gas stretch further is something all motorists should do.
Here are the top 10 tips to saving fuel.
Maintenance
Regular vehicle services help to maintain engine efficiency.
Also ensure you are using the correct engine oil.
Check your speed
Driving in excess of the 120km/hr speed limit on most freeways automatically uses 25% more fuel.
Keep your revs down
Fuel efficiency is increased when using higher gears and lower revs on the open road.
Ideally, petrol engines should rev at 2 500 and diesel engines 2 000 before changing gears.
Driving fast in lower gears can use up to 45% more fuel.
ALSO READ: Last chance to fill up before June fuel price increase
Tyre pressure
Well maintained tyres are essential for economical driving, not to mention safety.
The lower the tyre pressure, the more fuel the car uses.
No air-conditioning
Luckily it’s winter because using air-conditioning increases fuel consumption, particularly at lower speeds.
Drive responsibly
Abide by the road signs, drive defensively by learning to predict the actions of other drivers and foresee potential hazards.
Less braking and accelerating uses less fuel.
These driving techniques can improve fuel efficiency by up to 25%.
Chuck out the unnecessary baggage
Carrying extra weight in your car wastes fuel.
Don’t drive around with heavy items in your boot.
If you’re embarking on a long-distance journey with lots of luggage, consider half filling your tank.
Avoid excessive idling
When driving in rush hour traffic or if you are caught in a traffic jam, instead of idling for long periods, rather switch off your vehicle’s engine.
The amount of fuel used at re-start is minimal compared to idling.
Plan and combine trips
One longer trip combining numerous everyday errands is more economical than many shorter trips.
So plan what you need to do and do everything in one trip as this will improve your car’s fuel consumption.
Reduce drag
Bicycle racks, roof racks or driving with the windows open increases drag, leading to an increase in fuel consumption.
Consider removing excess racks, using them only when needed.
Driving with windows partially open will also improve fuel consumption.
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