See all Motoring NewsTop 10 Fuel Saving Tips
Whether you drive a tiny hybrid or a three-ton SUV, chances are you can squeeze a bit more distance out of each litre of fuel -- and at today's fuel prices, an improvement of just one or two miles per litre can really add up. These ten fuel saving tips can help you improve your car's fuel economy and take some of the sting out of high fuel prices. Most of these tips will give you a very slight increase in mileage per litre -- but use several together and the fuel mileage improvements will really add up.
1. Slow Down
One of the best ways to save fuel is to simply reduce your speed. As speed increases, fuel economy decreases. An aggressive driving style can increase fuel consumption by 10% - 12% above average!
2. Check your Tyre Pressure
Under-inflated tyres can increase your fuel bill. Tyres lose air due to time (about 1 psi per month) and temperature (1 psi for every 10 degree drop); under-inflated tyres have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more fuel to keep your car moving. Buy a reliable tyre gauge and check your tyres at least once a month. Be sure to check them when they are cold, since driving the car warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which increases pressure and gives a falsely high reading.
3. Tyre Wear Check
Unevenly worn tyres can be a sign of incorrect wheel alignment or tracking. This increases friction and means your engine has to work harder, using more fuel.
4. Accelerate with Care
If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears. Manual transmission should shift early to keep the revs down, but don't lug the engine -- downshift if you need to accelerate. Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If you accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, that's wasted fuel.
5. Move Slowly in Traffic
A constant speed keeps shifting to a minimum but it also aids economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving.
6. Turn off Air-Con as much as possible
Use air-conditioning sparingly – running air-conditioning continuously increases fuel consumption significantly.
7. Clean out your car
Go through your car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. The more weight your car has to carry around, the more fuel it burns.
8. Service Your Car Regularly
Have your car regularly serviced. Poor engine lubrication, wheel alignment and poorly adjusted brakes can all increase fuel consumption.
9. Air Filter Check
A clogged or dirty air filter reduces performance and increases the strain on your engine, resulting in lower fuel efficiency. Air filters are easy to check and change: See your owner's manual for instructions.
10. Downsize or hybridize
If you're shopping for a new car, it's time to re-evaluate how much car you really need. Smaller cars are inherently more fuel-efficient, and today's small cars are safer and roomier than ever. And if you've never considered a hybrid or a diesel, maybe it's time.