A  more efficient vehicle utilization and a preventive attitude can save the planet, your money and even the lifetime of the car. With these simple fuel saving tips you can start saving on your monthly budget.

 

What makes you spend more fuel?

Incorrect tire pressure, use of air conditioning,  circulate with unnecessary weight, drive in neutral or with the wrong change or even not turn off the car when stopped can be very expensive. These are some of the examples that will be explained below.

You can’t control all the factors, but some are in your hands if you want to get more efficiency and intelligent fuel use.

 

20  Tips to Ensure Fuel Savings

1. Do not walk in reserve

Avoid walking in the reserve to avoid absorbing accumulated impurities that accumulate in the tank.

2. Do not practice aggressive driving

Avoid excessive and sudden acceleration or brakings. A moderate and constant acceleration, the equivalent of 20 km/h every 5 seconds, can allow fuel savings of about 10%.

3. Optimal rotation to save fuel

In  petrol cars you must not exceed 2500 revolutions per minute and diesel cars should not exceed 2000 revolutions per minute.

 

4.  Preventive maintenance of the car

The constant analysis and exchange air and oil filters,  coolant , fuel, and spark plugs contributes to better performance of the automobile. An engine in poor condition increases fuel consumption by 9% to 30%.

 

5. Plan the most efficient route

Nowadays there are numerous applications that help you choose the most economical route and with less traffic.

 

6. Avoid dirt routes

This type of floor increases the consumption of your car by 30% when compared to the same distance on asphalt.

 

7. Park in the place without a direct exposure to the sun

Did you know that the fuel evaporates with heat? Leaving the car in the sun all day has repercussions on your gas consumption.

 

8. Turn off the car whenever it stops

Starting the vehicle consumes as much as being still for 30 seconds with the engine working. If you’re still, turn off the engine.

 

9. Insufficient tire pressure

Small pressure differences contribute to increased tire wear and  increases fuel consumption about 6%. Follow the manufacturer’s pressure recommendations and, if you are traveling with   the car loaded, be sure to adjust the tyre pressure. This saves fuel and extends the life of the tires.

 

10. Open windows and Air Conditioning

When driving with the windows open, the friction caused by the air impairs the aerodynamics of the car resulting in an increase of fuel consumption.

In reduced speed urban circuits, the best option is to drive with the window open, since the increase in consumption caused by air conditioning is higher.

In the case of travel on national roads or motorways, the situation is reversed. In this case it is preferable to close the windows and turn on the air conditioner if you are driving in a speed of more than 80 km/h.

Use the air conditioner only when it is strictly necessary, as its excessive use will increase consumption depending on the vehicle and driving.

 

11. Do not press the petrol gun too hard

When filling the tank, lightly press the fuel gun to maximize the fuel you are buying. Otherwise, if you exert too much pressure, part of the fuel entering the tank becomes steam and returns through the hose.

 

12. Fill in the morning or evening

The time of day when the car is restocked has importance on fuel savings. However, when fueling the car at lower temperatures, the fuel gets denser, which means you buy more for less.

 

13. Close the fuel tank properly

After each refuel, make sure that the tank cover is tightly closed so that the fuel does not evaporate.

 

14. Meet speed limits

Respecting the speed limits contributes to road safety and to a significant fuel saving. Less throttle  and less brake is synonymous with more economy, more safety and less  pollution. Try to reduce the speed by 10 km/hour compared to what you are used to . On motorway travel at 110 km/h and on national roads run at 80 k/hour. This contributes to a savings of about 10% fuel.

 

15. Avoid carrying luggage on the roof

Excess weight causes heavy wear on the suspension, brakes  and engine and consequently increases fuel consumption by 5% to 8%.

 

16. Adoption a regular driving style

Driving in continuous stop-start traffic jams can increase fuel consumption by up to 38%. To avoid unnecessary stops and starts you can slow down by approaching a red light, so you arrive precisely when the traffic light changes to green. By minimizing braking, you can save up to 10% fuel.

 

17. Use your engine to brake slow down

To slow down, opt for a lower change instead of using the brake pedal. This technique saves fuel and increases brake life.

Lifting your throttle foot gradually before approaching a stop, rather than using the brake pedal can lead to a 2% fuel savings.

Do not let the car slide in neutral on descents, as you will need to press the brake pedal more and if you do so you will wear the brakes more quickly.

In descents it is not necessary to accelerate, since the speed can be easily controlled through the brake and the gearbox.

 

18. Avoid small distance journeys

Whenever possible avoid using the car on small trips, as starting as the cold engine consumes more fuel. On very short journeys, the engine and catalyst do not have time to heat up to the ideal operating temperature. This way the effort that the engine has to make is greater. The catalyst is not as efficient while it is cold.

In small journeys your car will not do the regeneration of the particle filter, since the process is usually only carried out with the reach of the ideal operating temperature of fluids and mechanical components and at certain speed. If this procedure occurs in a small trip it can be stopped in half, which is not recommended.

Alternatively, start with a longer journey to heat the engine, then make the shortest trips.

 

19. Attention to the right foot

What is the point of speeding excessively to lock 100m ahead? Spend more fuel to stay in the same place.

A correct road reading helps keep the speed as stable as possible and thus save fuel. The sooner you can anticipate that you’re going to have to brake, the sooner you’re going to get your foot off the throttle.

20. Park

Park as soon as you can even if you have to walk a little more. Preferably park in the spine, as it avoids a series of maneuvers that lead to increased fuel consumption.

By the adoption of these habits, you will see significant savings in fuel consumption.

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