Given the ongoing increase in petrol prices, which now sit at Rs 305.36 per liter, it’s crucial to explore effective ways to reduce the fuel consumption of your car. While we may not have control over the rising fuel costs, we can certainly take steps to learn ways that can assist us during these challenging times that our nation is currently experiencing.
Five ways you can reduce your fuel consumption:
Go easy on the breaks:
Another way to reduce your fuel consumption is to avoid aggressively using the breaks.
Heavily applying the brakes leads to higher fuel usage because you’ll have to accelerate once more afterward. This becomes particularly evident when you follow the vehicle in front of you too closely. Additionally, it’s crucial to steer clear of tailgating since it poses a safety risk.
Watch out for your speed:
When cruising on a highway, your engine faces significant wind resistance. At 100 km/h, you’ll consume approximately 15 percent more fuel, and at 110 km/h, that figure increases to around 25 percent. While it may seem tempting to drive at slower speeds, going below 50 km/h could cause your engine to downshift to a lower gear, resulting in higher fuel consumption. To sum it up, maintaining a consistent speed between 50 and 90 km/h on the highway is the most effective way to achieve optimal fuel economy.
Tires: keep them pumped up
Insufficiently inflated tires result in greater rolling resistance on the road. This translates to increased friction and rolling resistance with each kilometer driven, ultimately leading to higher fuel consumption. If all four tires are underinflated by 10 psi, it could potentially decrease fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent.
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Know your route:
Focus on the road ahead and anticipate your next actions. Instead of abruptly hitting the brakes to come to a full stop, consider gradually reducing your speed as you approach a red light. Similarly, when approaching the base of a hill, begin accelerating as you get closer to it rather than right before you reach it. Steer clear of rapid accelerations when starting from a complete stop or ascending a hill, as these actions will lead to higher fuel consumption.
Remove the extra weight:
This is a often-overlooked piece of advice that many car owners tend to ignore. While it might not make a significant difference if you typically drive with an empty trunk, it can be a contributing factor to increased fuel consumption if you frequently carry heavy items in your car.
When your vehicle is laden with weight, it places added stress on the engine, demanding more power to propel the car forward, ultimately leading to higher fuel consumption.
