With the price of fuel rising again, here are some tips on how to make you car fuel go a few extra miles.
- Keep tyres properly inflated.
You can improve your fuel economy by up to 3.3% by keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tyres can lower fuel economy by 0.3% for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tyres. Properly inflated tyres are safer and last longer.
The proper tyre pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner’s manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tyre’s sidewall.
- Change the way in which you drive
Many people burn much more fuel than they have to. By making a few small adjustments in the way that you drive, you can see considerable fuel savings. Most vehicles today are set to achieve opimal fuel economy around 85km/h . If you drive too fast or too slow, you won’t be able to maximize your fuel savings. Also, don’t accelerate or brake too hard – this is very hard on fuel economy.
- Get back to nature
Consider shutting off the air conditioner, and opening the windows and enjoying the breeze. It may be slightly warmer, but at lower speeds you’ll save fuel. That said, at higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient because of the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof
- Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned.
Getting a tune-up, fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its fuel economy by an average of 4%, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40%.
Tags: Fuel, Fuel Economy