Fuel is quite expensive as it is, and the lockdown has caused severe economic hardship. So it pays you to find out how to save fuel while driving. Let’s take a look at some great fuel-saving tips.
Minimise wind resistance of your car 1
Any wind resistance created by your vehicle costs you in extra fuel consumption. The least wind resistance means the most fuel saved. What causes wind resistance in a car? Open windows cause the air to not flow over the car aerodynamically, but rather goes inside the car, causing considerable resistance. Anything that protrudes, such as a roof rack, should be removed. Roof racks can save about 20% in fuel, which amounts to R4 000 if your annual fuel bill is say R20 000 per annum.
Carry a minimum load 1
Any additional weight in the car will cost you extra fuel. Keeping those few large bags of compost in the car for a couple of weeks is not a good idea! However, you should not remove your spare tyre to lessen the load even further, as this could create further problems down the road.
Gently does it 1
A modest driving style could significantly help in saving fuel. Just by dropping the car’s speed by about 20 km/hr can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 25%. Gentle acceleration and stopping not only saves fuel but also minimise wear and tear of the brakes. Avoid travelling at 120 km/hr if you can – is it essential? It is amazing how we, as motorists, get caught up in this “mode” where we have to get to every destination as quickly as possible. Travel slowly and enjoy the journey.
Regular servicing 1
Taking your car for regular services will ensure that it is kept in good working order. A poorly tuned car may use unnecessary fuel. Always remember that there is a good reason why you have been given a car manual.
Avoid revving the car 1
Unless you are caught up in a dire emergency by having to rush to the hospital, is there any need for revving your vehicle before changing gears? Some modern cars have an indicator on the dashboard that tells you when you should change gear, either to a higher gear or to a lower gear.
Check tyre pressures regularly 1
Under-inflated tyres offer greater resistance on the road due to the increased surface area of the tyre. This extra drag causes the engine to labour more, and thus uses more fuel. Ideally, buy a small tyre pressure meter, with which you can test the tyre pressures yourself. The reason for this is that garages don’t seem to calibrate their pumps, which means the tyre pressure they read may cause your tyre to be under-inflated. And please don’t forget the spare tyre. Remember that under-inflated tyres wear out faster due to the extra friction on the road.
We’ve read about how to save on fuel by following various tips, but how about saving on your car insurance? Perhaps consider buying affordable car insurance with Prime South Africa that includes unique benefits such as fixed premiums* and reduce to zero excess*. *T and Cs apply.
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