Tips To Improve Your Fuel Efficiency

Here are a few tips to improve your fuel efficiency without having to invest in a new car:-

1.Use your gears wisely :

Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 37mph in third gear uses 25 percent more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.

 

2. Drive smoothly:

Think ahead! By applying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you can reduce both fuel consumption and wear and tear. Try to predict traffic at junctions and when in queuing to avoid accelerating and then braking. Research suggests driving techniques can influence car fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

 

3. Switch off your engine:

There are two schools of thought on this one.  Switching your engine off for short periods of time can actually increase fuel consumption, as it requires more fuel to get the engine started. Also your catalytic converter will no longer be running at full temperature and so your car will be less efficient, increasing the amount of pollution you cause. However if you are stopped for more than a few minutes then your car will simply burn less fuel with the engine stopped.

 

4. Drive off promptly to prevent wasting fuel:

Don’t leave your engine running when you first start up. Drive off straight away if you can, but drive gently until the engine has reached its normal operating temperature. This doesn’t increase fuel efficiency as such, but it does mean your engine is switched on for less time.

 

5. Size matters:

Choose an economical car – small cars use far more fuel efficient and produce lower emissions than large cars. You can also save up to £80 a year on your road tax.

Drive the most fuel-efficient car that meets your needs. Compare models and classes. CO2 with potentially lower emissions of all pollutants.

 

6. Diesel Engines:

If your going to buy a diesel, ensure it is a new ‘common rail’ type, as these are approximately 10% more efficient than older diesels. Also replace (or clean if applicable) air cleaner elements as often as is required by your vehicles servicing schedule.

 

7. Air Filter:

One of the most common reasons for a drop in fuel efficiency is a dirty intake filter. This will decrease the amount of air entering the cylinders of the engine resulting in incomplete combustion. Check the filter regularly to ensure that it is clean, especially in newer cars. Use of an engine flush before changing the oil will help to get rid of a lot of the dirt that collects in the engine that a normal oil change will not remove. On older engines it is advisable to use an oil treatment agent. This basically thickens the oil which creates a better seal between the piston and the liner, preventing blow past and consequent loss of combustion pressure, resulting in higher fuel efficiency.

 

8. Lighten your load:

Think carefully about what you need on a journey. If you do not need something, do not pack it. Remove roof racks if not needed. The lighter the load, the lower the fuel consumption, and emissions, and the higher the fuel efficiency.

 

9. Tyres effect fuel efficiency:

It is estimated that about 50% of tyres on the road are under inflated. Aside from increasing the rate of wear, this wastes fuel and decreased your fuel efficiency. Check your tyre pressures every fortnight. Worn tyres will also decrease fuel efficiency (and your safety!), so check the tread regularly. If you are replacing tyres then consider some of the newer ‘Eco’ tyres that are designed specifically to increase fuel efficiency.

 

10. Exhausts alter fuel efficiency:

Most cars have special sizes for the exhaust. When cars are reasonably old the silencers have to be changed. Some garages may try to fit a size that they have in stock rather than the correct one (Carmaster only fits the correct exhausts). Which might not be the exact size recommended for the car. The wrong size a bigger or smaller silencer size effects on the MPG of the car and the HP of the car. It may be cheaper to put another size than your recommended size for your car but on the long run it will cost you in many ways, especially on fuel consumption.