Fuel-saving tips for everyday driving

Economical driving is something that many drivers need to embrace to save a shilling in these expensive times. By making a few adjustments, you can reduce the amount you spend on refuelling, and increase the life of your engine, tyres and brake pads.

The changes can be as small as making sure your fuel cap is secure, to slightly more drastic measures, such as better route planning.

Fuel at night

During night time, fuel density is high as the hydrocarbons are closely stacked together due to the colder atmospheric conditions. That means that vaporisation is minimised, and you get a few extra millilitres of fuel than you would if you fuelled during the day.?

Lose the weight

Remove any unnecessary luggage in the car. A lighter vehicle means that the engines spends less energy propel- ling the gross mass of the vehicle, enhancing fuel saving in the long term.?

Anticipate the road ahead

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By scanning the road ahead and easing o the throttle in good time, it is possible to avoiding harsh and late braking, which will immediately save fuel. By keeping the car moving, albeit slowly, you conserve the car’s kinetic energy, which in turn saves fuel.

Service your vehicle regularly

Sticking to the manufacturer’s servicing schedule helps to maintain your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If you ignore servicing, the spark plugs ‘foul’, that is, lose the ability to continuously ignite fuel due to the accumulation of various oxides on the electrode tip. If it doesn’t ignite at the recommended combustion cycle, fuel is lost and the engine strains to propel the vehicle effectively.?

Drive smoothly

Using the steering, transmission and brakes in a smooth manner rather than adopting harsh, last-minute braking allows the car to decelerate using engine braking. This is not only more comfortable for you and your passengers, but it is also more efficient as it minimises energy loss. Using the car’s momentum by, for instance, travelling downhill with no throttle input, can save a considerable amount of fuel.

If your car is not fitted with a ‘stop-start’ system and your vehicle is going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds, and it is safe to do so, engage neutral and switch o your engine. And use air conditioning and electrical equipment wisely and sparingly.?

Keep your distance

Driving with an appropriate distance between you and the car in front of you is not only safer, but has the potential to be more efficient as it prevents sudden and late braking.

Watch your speed

The faster you go, the greater the fuel consumption and pollution you will create. Driving at 120 kilometres per hour uses up to 9 per cent more fuel than at 100kph and up to 15 per cent more than at 80kph. Sudden and abrupt variations in speed also eats up copious amounts of fuel.

Parking

Try to find a spot in the least-congested area and reverse in so that your car is facing outward into the road. Not having to back out, stop and then move forward is a simple but important fuel saver. Whenever possible, park on a down slope as the car will use less energy when you leave