Ways to make your fuel last longer
Five Helpful Tips to Save on Fuel Consumption, from the AA:
Remember the days when a single banknote would fill your petrol tank? In January 2000, the petrol price was below R3 to the litre, meaning it cost you around R150 to fill a 50 litre tank. Yes, R150 would get you from Johannesburg to Durban without you having to stop at a petrol station along the way.
But times have changed. Nowadays we get excited when the petrol price drops below R13 per litre. Unfortunately, with the weak Rand and increasing crude oil prices, the most recent changes to the fuel price have been increases, with decreases dotted in some of the past months.
Also read: What you should be considering when choosing between petrol and diesel
As the public, we have little control over the price of fuel; but what we do have control over is maximising the efficiency of the fuel we use. So, rather than running your car on the smell of fumes, here are some tips and techniques that will allow you to get maximum mileage the next time you fill up your tank:
1 Make fewer trips
When doing grocery shopping or other weekly activities that require driving around, try to cut down on the number of journeys. The reason for this is that your vehicle consumes the most amount of petrol when the engine is cold, particularly in the first 10km. By making numerous trips and allowing your engine to cool between each stop-off, you are using a lot more fuel; so try to get the weekly shopping done in one journey.
2 Avoid peak hour traffic
For many, avoiding rush hour traffic is not an option. However, there are those who are fortunate enough to work flexi-time hours, which is not only convenient, but also economical in terms of fuel usage.
When continuously having to start and stop in heavy traffic, you tend to drive in the lower gears, which uses far more fuel. When in traffic, try to keep a steady distance between the car in front of you as well as the car behind to avoid sudden stops and accelerations. This will allow you to drive more steadily at a constant speed. This isn’t just a more economical means of driving, but safer too, as tailgating only increases your risk of rear-ending the car in front of you.
3 Don’t drive with the windows open
Many of us know that driving with the air-conditioner on requires more fuel. However, not everybody is aware that driving with the car windows down, or even a sunroof, also requires more fuel. The faster your vehicle is traveling, the greater the resistance (drag) created by the open window/s. It alters the aerodynamics of the vehicle and requires more force (petrol/diesel) to travel at high speed.
In hot climates rather open the air vents if you wish to cool down and save fuel.
4 Don’t carry unnecessary weight
Certain occupations, like a mechanic for instance, require that you carry heavy loads like tools or engines. However, when these items aren’t going to be used it’s best to ‘take a load off’. The excess weight requires more fuel to accelerate and keep momentum, which results in higher fuel consumption. Even something as trivial as carrying your golf clubs on the back seat or in the boot can add to your fuel consumption over time.
5 Check your tyre pressure
The lower your tyre pressure the more traction there is with the road’s surface which results in increased fuel consumption. Traction is important for safety, but if your tyre pressure is too low or varies in each tyre, it is not only unsafe but costly too. If you are unsure about what your optimal tyre pressure should be, you can normally find the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure on the inside of your petrol flap, or the inside of your driver’s door.
These fuel consumptions tips were brought to you by the Automobile Association (AA).