Your car gives you the luxury of going places in a fast and efficient way, so it is hard to imagine your life without it. However, like all good things it comes with a cost. Unless your car is electric or super eco-friendly, fuel bills can be a considerable expense in your budget. Moreover, there is a direct connection between mileage and the frequency of maintenance services. This all means that the more you drive the more it costs. Here are several tips that will help increase your car's fuel-efficiency.
Maintenance is key
Your car must be in perfect running order. Any other advice regarding the fuel economy is useless if your engine does not perform at optimum efficiency. If your car is neglected and does not run right, not only that it uses more fuel, it also develops less power. In effect, in a car like this, you will have to press the throttle more for the same amount of speed and acceleration that you would in a well-kept car. As regular maintenance is the most important thing, make sure you change engine oil and all the filters according to the manufacturer's specified intervals. An engine in your car will run less smooth with old and diluted oil, and dirty air filter will rob it off a significant amount of power. On the other hand, any issues such as ‘check engine’ light that is on or engine that vibrates and splutters, will indicate an engine malfunction. This should be taken care of without any delay, as it not only affects the fuel economy, but it can also lead to further engine damage.
High-quality fuel means better fuel economy
Use a high-quality fuel whenever you can. Although these usually come at a higher price, the benefits that come with them out-wage that price difference. Firstly, they are cleaner and usually have additives that help reduce the fuel injection system contamination. Modern engines have state-of-the-art fuel injectors, which are very vulnerable to low-quality fuel as contaminants can disrupt the spray pattern. This causes loss of power and rough running. Another perk that you get is a higher-octane rating, which allows your engine to develop more power out of the same amount of fuel and air. This is done by adjusting ignition timing, which is something that the engine management will do by itself. Still, for maximum gains, get your car tuned for a specific octane rating. This is done by an engine management specialist, who will set the tune for 91, 93 or 95 octane fuel.
Go with the wind
Another tip is not to mess with your car aerodynamics. A roof is a good place for oversized items such as roof boxes or bike carrier. However, the increased drag reduces the overall fuel-efficiency. This is especially noticeable when driving fast, as the air resistance increases with vehicle speed. At a speed of 60 mph, more than half of the overall resistance is generated through air resistance alone. So if you haven't used the roof rack in a while, you should remove it to improve your fuel economy.
Keep your tires at the recommended pressure
Check the tire pressure regularly, as under-inflated tires are both dangerous and costly. They increase rolling resistance, which means that your car will need more power and fuel. Still, over-inflated tires are not good, either, as they decrease traction and result in treadwear more quickly in the center of the rubber. Check and adjust the tire pressure on all four wheels regularly. Most cars have a sticker with the recommended pressure on the driver's door or inside the fuel cover and you can get the job done for free at most gas stations.
Additionally, you may get energy-efficient tires, which have got silica in them. They are a little bit easier to push down the road, saving you some money. However, have in mind that they usually offer less grip, which can affect braking distances.
Stay light as a feather
Do not carry unnecessary weight around. Some drivers prefer to carry everything in their car regardless of whether they need it or not. However, it is better to unload it and keep only necessary things, such as a spare wheel a tire jack and car keys. Carrying more weight will greatly reduce your car's fuel economy and will be especially noticeable in urban driving.
Plan ahead!
Plan your route to stay one step ahead of the traffic. It pays off to check what routes are available to your destination so you can see which one is shorter or quicker plus I recommend using a free smartphone app like Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic information so you don't burn too much fuel in stop-and-go traffic.
Careful driving increases fuel economy
Your driving style affects the fuel economy quite a lot. If you are one of those drivers who just love to slam on the throttle, remember that even in driving school we were told that acceleration and braking should be done smoothly. This is a valuable fuel-saving lesson because when you accelerate sharply, it makes your car consume more energy and increases fuel consumption. This is why you should try to travel at a constant speed in the highest transmission gear. It is also a good idea to use the cruise control function of your vehicle on the highway, as this smart system, automatically controls the speed of your vehicle, keeping it at a constant pace. Additionally, at high speeds, your car has to increase engine speed to cope with the wind drag. Not only that this increases fuel consumption, but it will also increase your chances of getting in an accident. Lastly, consider turning the AC off when it is not too hot, as it increases fuel consumption much more than other appliances. Instead, try some natural tricks to keep your car cool, like parking it in the shade and rolling the windows down for a bit for the air to go in and out.
Always stay alert on the road. This life hack sounds like common sense and you cannot possibly overrate common sense. If you stay alert on the road, you won't have to hit the brakes abruptly because you will see obstacles and danger coming your way. If you pay attention to the traffic lights and road signs along the route you take daily, you will also spare some time and annoying stops. You might even be able to guess when the traffic lights turn green or red and adjust your speed to fit in. Watching fellow drivers' actions can also help when their brake lights turn on you can get ready to hit the brakes smoothly.