Tips to Increase Fuel Efficiency of Your Car

Alarming shrinkage of fuel reserve and simultaneously  steep hike in price of petrol is a serious global issue. Every car owner and every  vehicle driver should know the tips to increase fuel efficiency, so that both money and oil can be saved. The most important tips which may help youto improve fuel efficiency are :.

 Drive Within the Speed Limit as Recommended

One should not drive too slow nor too fast. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. Follow the optimum effective speed recommended  by the manufacturer. Slowing down helps save fuel. Driving just 5 mph over the speed limit can affect fuel economy by up to 20%. And also, quick and sudden acceleration consumes too much fuel; accelerate slowly and gradually.

Avoid Keeping Your Foot on the Clutch, When not Required

 Don’t identify yourself as a Clutch-Driver. Never keep your foot on the clutch while driving. When you do this, pressure ( even it is light) is being placed on your clutch. As a result, this action not only reduces mileage, but also wears out the clutch plates, replacing which is not so cheap. Research confirms that  driving techniques can influence car fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Try to Drive in Higher Gears

Driving in the highest gear, if possible without troubling  the engine, is a fuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 60 kmph in third gear may consume 20%  more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.

Know  the Best Time to Refill

Try to refill your fuel either  in the morning or late evening. During this period petrol is densest. Remember that  fuel pumps measure volumes of petrol, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to the volume of measurement.

Switch Off Your Engine

Switching your engine off for  very short periods of time can actually increase fuel consumption, as it requires
more fuel to get the engine started. However if you are to stop for more than two or three minutes, it is always wise to switch off the engine. 

Stick to One Brand of Fuel

Sticking to one brand of fuel is always good for the engine. Petrol pump attendants often try to convince you to go for ‘Speed petrol’ or ‘X-tra Mile diesel’. But this need not necessarily help improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Always use the grade recommended for the vehicle by the manufacturer. Higher octane fuel may not only be a waste of money but may harm the vehicle, as well. 

 Keep the Windows Closed

Driving with your windows open drastically reduces mileage, far more than keeping the AC on while driving along highways. So preferably keep the windows closed and the AC on if you want to keep cool. Of course the air-conditioning decreases fuel efficiency considerably, so use it judiciously.

Check Tyre Pressure Every Fortnight

Tyres effect fuel efficiency. Keeping the tyres well inflated is one of the simplest things you can do to help improve your car’s fuel efficiency. You can improve the mileage around 3.0 % if you keep your tyres inflated properly.Worn tyres will also decrease fuel efficiency. If you are replacing tyres then  you may consider some of the newer ‘Eco’ tyres that are designed specifically to increase fuel efficiency.

Drive light

The lighter the load in your car, the lower the fuel consumption and the higher the fuel
efficiency. Empty out your boot of unnecessary items. For every extra 50 kg you carry, your fuel efficiency can get reduced  by 1-2%.

Tune Your Engine

A well-tuned engine can improve fuel economy by up to 4%. So change your oil and follow your car manufacturer’s recommendation on servicing.

Clean the Air Filters Regularly

One of the most common reasons for a drop in fuel efficiency is an unclean air filter. Air filters keep impurities from damaging your engine. A clogged air filter  decreases the amount of air entering the cylinders of the engine resulting in incomplete combustion. Check the filter regularly to ensure that it is clean. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel economy by as much as 10%.

Replace Over-used Spark Plugs

Make sure your spark plugs are in good condition. Renew the plugs and wires at intervals as specified in the owners manual. This will keep all cylinders firing properly, resulting in higher efficiency.