Save money Through Fuel Efficient Driving
The government is taking away the fuel subsidies in stages starting with the cut in fuel subsidy in early September 2013. This cut in fuel subsidy will add to our fuel expenses and also our expense in general due to the domino effect on services and products caused by the higher fuel price.
Therefore it is time for us look for ways to save on fuel. One thing we can do right now is in order to save petrol is to evaluate the way we drive and change it if needed. Poor driving habits lose fuel economy, while fuel efficient driving habits give you maximum mileage for the money spent on every drop of fuel.
Below are some strategies on fuel efficient driving that can help you save money.
Get Rid Of Excess Load
Avoid excess weight in the vehicle by removing unnecessary items from the trunk or cabin. Do not add unnecessary accessories like skirting, spoiler, roof rack and others, as they not only add weight but also affect the aerodynamic factor of the vehicle. In fact, half of the fuel burned is to overcome the drag caused by wind resistance due to the aerodynamic factor.
Use Correct Gear Ratio (For Manual Transmission)
Driving with high engine rpm always consumes more fuel then driving at low RPM at any speed, so make sure you choose the right gear to keep the rpm low.
Ensure the engine speed does not exceed 3,500 rpm until they have reached the higher gear. For example a car traveling at third gear with 3,500 rpm could only attain 70km/h while at fourth gear with the same engine rpm and burning the same amount of fuel it could reach 110km/h. This means one is just wasting fuel by accelerating the engine to 3,500 rpm at third gear when lower engine speed will suffice.
Avoid Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving, aggressive start/stops and tailgating waste fuel. Frequent braking and accelerating only wastes fuel since a lot more energy is required to accelerate.
Doing away with aggressive driving could save as much as 10 percent of fuel plus it also helps to extend the lifespan of the tires and brakes.
Don't Ignore The Basics
- Switch off the engine while waiting. You will not only save on fuel but also stop polluting the air.
- Make sure there is sufficient tire pressure to achieve good fuel economy. Insufficient tire pressure burns more fuel, causes poor steering control, and also wears out the tires faster.
- Do proper periodical engine maintenance to save on fuel and extend engine life. Clean engine oil reduces engine friction within and helps get rid of dirt and grime. A clean air filter allows more air into the engine and increases fuel efficiency.
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