8 driving hacks to save you fuel money


Price of fuel is rising all around the world, be it gas,petrol or diesel. So, consumers need to be smart about how to save on fuel costs before they reach the pump. Fortunately, there are many ways to save significantly – without requiring a great deal of effort on your part. Here are few of them :

1. Don’t put the pedal to the metal.

 

One sees a lot of drivers on the roads who just love to slam on the acceleration. But acceleration and braking should be done smoothly because it guarantees reduced fuel consumption. When you accelerate sharply, it makes your car consume more energy, thus fuel consumption also increases. 

2. Use cruise control on the highway.

 

Your vehicle will consume much less fuel if you follow speed limits and use cruise control .  Most cars use about 20% more fuel if driven at 110 km per hour than they use at 90 km per hour. Using cruise control can provide additional fuel savings.

3. Undergo servicing on time.

 

The oil filter and oil should be changed every 4,500 miles. Also, don’t forget to replace the plugs and air filter. To avoid additional expenses, do this on time. Otherwise, it can lead to engine failure, and that kind of repair is very expensive. 

4. Turn off the air conditioning.

 

In this case, everyone must decide for themselves which is more important: comfort or fuel economy? With the air conditioner turned on, fuel consumption increases by 15% on average. Keep it turned off as much as possible. To keep your car cooler, park in the shade and roll the windows down a crack to circulate air.

5. Don’t drive when it rains.

 

When it rains, there is a high risk of an accident. But apart from that, fuel consumption also gets higher. On dry days, the vehicle consumes a lot of energy when accelerating to cope with the wind drag. On rainy days, the water resistance on the road is even higher.

6. Monitor your tire pressure.

 

Under-inflation causes tires to wear out faster and wastes fuel. Properly inflated tires reduce friction and offer better fuel mileage. If the tires are under inflated by at least 0.1 atm, it can cause fuel consumption to increase by 2-3%. That is why it is so important to monitor the level of pressure in the tires and keep it in accordance with the recommended level, especially during cold weather.

7. Remove unnecessary weight.

Just like your body, your car needs more fuel to move around more weight. It is better to unload the trunk and keep only necessary things, such as a spare wheel, a tire jack, and cap keys. The more weight your vehicle carries, the more fuel it consumes. 

8. Make the route logistically efficient.

 

If you plan your route efficiently, it will help you to save on fuel expenses, especially during the winter months. A cold engine will consume more fuel for the first 5 miles or so. Try to combine all your daily errands into one big trip so as not to warm up the engine a few times a day.


Sources : brightside, moneycrashers, telegraph