Fuel prices are surging globally as the world grapples with supply issues caused by sanctions relating to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and they’re unlikely to come down soon. For those of us who need to keep driving, the only way to protect our wallets is to make the most of every tank of fuel. In this article, we’re sharing our best fuel-saving tips to keep you moving through autumn without breaking the bank!
Fuel saving tips
Set the correct tyre pressures
Each vehicle make and model comes with a recommended tyre pressure as set by the manufacturer that will best support performance and safety. Tyres inflated at the incorrect pressure can have a significant effect on fuel consumption.
Under-inflated tyres create additional resistance, forcing the engine to work harder while also detracting from handling.
To get the pressure right, find the manufacturer’s tyre loading information sticker in your car. It’s usually near the driver’s seat door.
Clear out your car
It’s an obvious one, but the heavier your car is, the more fuel you’ll use driving it around. This means if you’ve got half your life stored in the car, you’re probably burning unnecessary fuel.
It’s estimated that every 50kg of additional weight uses an extra 2% of fuel, so taking excess clutter out could save you hundreds or dollars on fuel over a year.
Stick to the speed limit (obviously!)
Aside from being dangerous and illegal, speeding simply won’t get you from A to B much faster – particularly in urban areas. While some people think speeding will save fuel because it’s economical to drive at higher speeds, this is a myth: the resistance of your car against the air alone means you’re only using more fuel to push harder.
Stick to the speed limit for safety first, and fuel economy second!
Avoid unnecessary acceleration
Coming to a complete stop means your engine has to work harder to get the car moving than it would from, say, a 10 kmph crawl. This means that the less you stop completely during each drive, the less fuel you’ll use.
While we’ll always have to stop at lights and stop signs (duh), we can reduce complete stopping simply by being aware of what’s going on on the road ahead. If you can see you’re approaching a red light, don’t accelerate towards it.
The same goes with turn offs and stop and start traffic: look up and adjust acceleration so you can coast ahead without stopping the engine completely.
Drop by for a service and let us get your car performing at its fuel-efficient best. No bookings required – just find your local Express Lube Service Centre!
