With increasing fuel costs day by day, the running costs of our cars are getting dearer to our wallets. While you can’t control the fuel costs, you surely can change your driving habits so that your car returns maximum kilometers to a litre of the fuel. AutoHunters have prepared an article for you so that you can improve your fuel efficiency by following these simple tips.
- Drive smoothly, with least throttle inputs.
Accelerate in an smooth and linear manner; avoid any aggressive throttle inputs. The engine consumes the most amount of fuel while getting off the mark and attaining speeds from stationary. Aggressive acceleration and braking makes your car consume more fuel. Develop a smoother driving style whereby you accelerate and decelerate in a linear and smooth manner. Speed is not necessarily bad per say, but build the speed smoothly. - Anticipate and drive
Look at the road ahead and observe the flow of traffic. This will help you observe the traffic ahead and you can plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. If the traffic ahead is moving fast, maintain a steady speed while let go the accelerator if the traffic ahead is moving slow. - Maintain Your Car Properly
A properly maintained car not only drives well but is more fuel efficient as well. Chocked up air filters, old engine oil, faulty injectors and spark plugs, or malfunctioning sensors, all the components directly affect the working of your car. A vehicle that is maintained well will consume a lot less fuel than a poorly kept one.
- Reduce Engine Idling and switch the engine off
If your car is going to be stationary for an extended period of time, switch the engine off. Excessive idling not only wastes precious fuel but also pollutes the environment. Most of the modern traffic lights display the number of seconds before they go green, and if it is more than 20 seconds left, it is always wise to switch of the engine. Modern engines come equipped with a fair amount of technology and don’t complain if you re-start them often. - Shred the weight from the car and reduce the drag
A lighter vehicle will consume less fuel than a heavier one powered by the same engine. All the manufacturers try and keep the weight of the vehicle as low as possible, without compromising the safety of the car. Avoid keeping extra luggage in the car and if there are any unnecessary bags, stray items or trash lying in the vehicle’s boot then get rid of them right away.
Vehicle manufacturers work really hard to make a car as aerodynamic as possible to reduce the drag. Extra accessories, such as the roof racks, spoilers and side skirts hamper the overall aerodynamics of the car. Increased drag caused by bad aerodynamics hamper the fuel efficiency of your car. Hence if you have any of these accessories in your car, and you are not using it on the particular trip or commute, then remove it.
Also, try and avoid opening the windows at higher speeds as it drastically increases the drag.
- Choose the right gear while driving
Driving the car in a higher gear at lower speeds or vice versa puts extra strain on the engine, which in turn hampers the fuel economy of the car. The key to maximum fuel efficiency is to shift as early as possible, without straining the engine. - Maintain a constant Speed
Varying speeds takes a toll on your car’s fuel efficiency. While driving on the open roads, make sure that you maintain constant speeds, with linear acceleration inputs. - Fuel Quality
Before tanking up your vehicle, always check the fuel quality. Bad or adulterated fuel returns poor economy and side by side, damage the important components of the engine. Always make sure that you fuel up your car from big outlets located inside the city. - Plan your trip
Avoid traveling in peak traffic hours or using your car for short journeys. If you take your car daily to the office, leave a little early so that you can avoid traffic. It will not only help you save fuel, but will keep you stress free as well. Also plan your trip in such a way that you complete a number of tasks in a single journey. Your car takes maximum fuel when it does not operate under optimum temperature conditions. - Maintain proper tyre pressure
Tyres are a very important part of your car and play a vital role in maintaining the overall fuel economy of the car. Most of the engine power gets utilised in making the tyres roll as they create rolling resistance. Maintain proper tyre pressure and get the alignment of your car checked at regular intervals.
- Do Not Ride the clutch
If you ride your clutch while driving, you are not using the maximum energy produced by the engine, and thus making your engine work more. This not only increases fuel consumption, but also increase clutch wear. Do not keep your foot on the clutch, except for when changing gears.
While the fuel economy depends upon your driving style, it also depends upon other factors such as traffic congestion, road conditions, road blocks, etc. Improving your driving style can surely bring relief to your wallet. Follow our tips and we are sure that the fuel economy of your car may improve by a couple of digits.
Drive Safe!!!
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With this being said, what do you think about these ideas for to the main fuel efficiency of your car? Do let us know in the comments box below. Also, join our exclusive AutoHunters Auto Enthusiasts Whatsapp Group (click via mobile to join) to be a part of interesting automotive discussions. Also, follow us on YouTube for all the latest updates and unbiased reviews.
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