How to Economize on Fuel
If you drive a gas-engine car and have no plans to switch to hybrid or electric vehicle, you can still save some cash on fuel and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. How is that possible? You should check how economical your driving habits are. You can improve your fuel economy just by paying more attention to details…
Keep a steady and reasonable pace
Car’s fuel consumption is most effective at 30-50mph. When you drive faster, more fuel is needed to combat the increasing air resistance. Try to keep the pace as long as possible – speeding and rapid braking may be more fun, but definitely less cost effective.
Don’t leave your engine idling
Idling means zero miles per gallon! So turn the engine off if you are going to be stationary for more than 15 seconds – it pays off.
Make your car lighter
Check if there are only the necessary items inside your car. Take a look in your boot and get rid of all the long-forgotten rubbish and remove the bike rack if you are not going to use it in the near future. Unfortunately the heavier the car, the more fuel it needs.
Make sure your car’s air filter are clean
The air filter prevents dirt from entering the engine. When dirty, it can increase the fuel consumption by 10 percent! Luckily, the filter is easy to clean, so you can do it yourself from time to time. Sometimes it needs replacement, but the price is not high.
Check tire pressure
Check your tires’ air pressure on regular basis. You can do it free of charge at most gas stations using an air pressure gauge and pump. Under-inflated tires mean more frequent visits to petrol station.
Reduce the use of air conditioning
The rule is simple: the more you use the A/C, the more you have to spend on fuel. However, when driving faster that 40mph, it is more fuel efficient to switch the air conditioning on and keep the windows closed in order to avoid the aerodynamic drag.
Keep fit
Have a walk or use your bike from time to time, especially if your destination is close by. It will have a positive effect not only on your wallet, but also health.
The post was contributed by the team of CarTruckTrader.com. Visit us online to find new and used vehicles for sale.