Ford Motors has recently announced that it will launch the world's most fuel efficient car. The head of the American auto giant said the rising fuel price worldwide has motivated them to focus on reducing fuel consumption.
Ford is right because these days no consumer wants to drive a car that is big on fuel gulping.
Ford's ultra-frugal four-wheeler will be offered in convenient options of diesel as well as petrol and will be made available internationally by 2014.
Until then what can we do? Or what remedy is presently at hand for our petrol car owners?
Answer: Make some amends in your driving style by following some constructive tips, in order to lessen your frequent trips to petrol pumps plus reduce maintenance-cost of your vehicle.
Moreover, the hike of Rs 7.54/litre (now cut short by Rs 2) in the current petrol price is not one of the easy jolts to absorb.
The listed fuel saving guidelines has been beneficial for many people over the years, which can also prove to be favourable for us in the long run.
1. Monitor speed
Driving slow, between 40 kph to 60kmph, can improve the fuel efficiency by 10 per cent whether you drive in the city or the highways.
If your car has got cruise control function it will assist you in getting constant speeds on the highways resulting in increase of mileage.
2. Check tyre pressure
The car will lack drag capabilities, ending up in guzzling up more petrol if the tyre pressures is not accurate. Get them checked at least once in a month.
3. Reduce air conditioner use
The cooling system in your car eats up about 10 per cent extra fuel, when operating at lesser speeds. On the other hand, independent studies confirm that at high speeds of over 80 kmph, use of air conditioning is better for fuel economy than an open window.
4. Check air filter
The lack of air flow into the engine results due to dirty air filter that is one of the prime reasons for low efficiency and performance numbers hence need to checked and if required should be replaced.
5. Go fast with care
Avoid quick accelerating in the beginning and hard braking at speeds. This hard-line driving can be unsafe for environment and less sensible for your pocket.
The car should always get gradual and smooth acceleration everytime.
6. Limit drag aerodynamically
Open windows at high speeds is not advisable, as it acts as an unnecessary drag for the engine increasing air resistance and ending up with bad mileage figures.
7. Make car shed weight
The very basic reality, the lesser load, the maximum mileage. Keep your car away from excessive weight as on an average, two per cent fuel is consumed on every 50kg added load in your car.
So remove things like ski-rack (when not in use) or any bulky object in the cargo/storage area..
8. Don't let engine run idle
Switch off the engine, if the idle time is above 30 seconds to 60 seconds. As it burns more fuel in idling than restarting of engine. Here the fuel wastage can be controlled quite easily.
9. Drive in highest gear
You should drive in possibly the highest gear, as driving in very low gear will waste decent amount of fuel. To maintain low revs you should change gear as soon as you reach near 2500rpm.
10. Service car frequently
An unhealthy engine can use nearly 50 percent more fuel, against well-kept and regularly tuned engine together with less emission too. Apart from low economy, it can get stuck up anywhere in the mid way with some or the other issue
11. Use thinner tyres
Broader tyres surely enhance handling, but down factor is that it increases the fuel utilisation also. So go for thinner tyres if possible, as high width tyres means more rolling resistance.
12. Park in shade
The air-con sips lot of energy from the engine, so need to act smart and let the power-train work with ease by parking it in shade. Moreover, you can go for windshield shades to maintain lower temperatures inside.
13. Go for motorcycle or electric scooter
If you are individual and no family around at one point, you can do some eco-friendly thing by commuting on an electronic scooter or motorcycle.
14. Combine daily tasks
Plan you trips at a single (efficient) go, in a straight drive manner. Try doing banking, shopping and other daily routine works at one go in order to avoid driving any extra mile.
Whenever possible, stay away from driving at peak hours.
15. Drive less or don't drive
Finally, this is the most fuel efficient way to save fuel. You can walk, ride a bicycle or take public transportation on every possible occasion and stay fit and healthy.
Source: How to save car fuel: 15 tips
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