Fuel Saving Advice

With fuel costs increasing, filling up at the pump has become a costly exercise for many. The good news? There are some simple things that you can do to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. It is a common misconception that older cars use more fuel. This is not always the case. When you pay attention to the way you drive, and keep your vehicle well maintained, you can notably improve its fuel efficiency.

Here are 5 ways that you can save money on fuel, which we will discuss in further detail in this article:

• Slow down when driving
• Maintain recommended tyre pressures
• Stick to your vehicle’s recommended servicing schedule
• Maintain wheel alignment
• Remove wind restrictions and excess weight

Tip 1. Slow Down When Driving

This is one of the most effective and simple ways to save on fuel. When you drive at an excessive speed, you decrease the efficiency of your engine. Although lowering your speed by 5 to 10 kilometres under the legal speed limit may be challenging, it can help. For example, when you drive at 110km/h or over, you can increase your fuel consumption by up to 15%!

That being said, it can be a hard thing to do. Where possible, leaving for your destination in good time, and taking it easy on the journey can save you in the long run. It can be as simple as avoiding things like rapid acceleration away from traffic lights, and tailgating the vehicle ahead of you, which causes you to constantly slow down and speed up.

Not only will this improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle but it will also reduce the wear and tear on your engine.

Tip 2. Maintain Recommended Tyre Pressures

Under inflation increases the rolling resistance of your tyres, which forces the engine to work harder to overcome, resulting in an increase in fuel consumption.

Nowadays, most modern vehicles are equipped with TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system). This will light up on your vehicle’s dashboard as a warning that indicates that at least one of your tyres is significantly under-inflated. Whilst this is a handy feature to have, you shouldn’t depend on the TPMS alone.

Tyres can lose inflation pressure at a rate of between 1 and 3 psi (pound per square inch) per month. A tyre that is only slightly under inflated can still have a negative impact on tyre safety, longevity and fuel efficiency.

It’s a good idea to check your tyre pressures once a month. You can do this using a quality tyre pressure gauge that can be purchased from your local auto parts store. Check your pressures when the tyres are cold (driven on for 5 or less minutes) for an accurate reading.

Always check the pressure of each tyre against the recommendations listed on the tyre placard, and make sure you include the spare tyre in your check. If you need to adjust the pressures, this can be done at home with an air compressor, or you can use one at your nearest service station.

Tip 3. Stick to your Vehicle’s Recommended Servicing Schedule

When you have your vehicle regularly serviced, you not only ensure that it’s operating at its best, you can also save on fuel costs. A well-maintained engine will run more efficiently, which means that it can put out the same power on less fuel.

Typically, vehicle manufacturers will recommend that you have your car serviced every 6 months or 10,000 kms, whichever comes first. For information specific to your vehicle, you can refer to your owner’s manual.

Depending on the make and model, and age of your vehicle, the type of services that are recommended will vary. Services such as an oil change will assist in the fuel economy of your vehicle as old, thicker oil results in an engine that works harder to move it through the moving parts of the engine.

Tip 4. Maintain Wheel Alignment

Your vehicle’s wheel alignment plays a key role in its fuel economy. When the wheel alignment is out, the engine works harder to propel the vehicle forward. This unnecessary strain on the engine can result in increased fuel consumption.

The wheels on your vehicle will typically become unaligned over time. Factors such as rough terrain, potholes and general wear and tear will contribute to misaligning the wheels. Adhering to the recommended wheel alignment servicing schedule will ensure that the angles of the wheels are perpendicular to the ground and the wheels are parallel to each other. This means that the tyres and wheels can work together, maximising the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

Tip 5. Remove Wind Restrictions and Excess Weight

If your vehicle is equipped with roof racks that you rarely use, consider removing them from the vehicle and storing them away for the odd occasion where you require them. Roof racks increase the wind resistance and drag of your vehicle. This results in increased fuel consumption as the engine needs more fuel to ‘push’ the vehicle through the air.

The heavier your vehicle, the more fuel it requires to propel it along. Taking a moment to look at what is actually in your boot can also assist in improving your fuel usage. Unnecessary items left in your car, such as sporting equipment, excess tools or work gear can improve your fuel efficiency.

If you’ve been feeling the sting on your wallet at the fuel pump lately, maybe it’s time to check when your vehicle was last serviced? Located at 940-946 Victoria Rd, West Ryde, we service those in West Ryde, Ryde, Epping and Ermington. We offer a range of services, including wheel alignments and checking and replacing vital fluids, such as engine oil and coolant.

Contact us today to see how we can be of service to you.