10 Tips to Maximize Fuel Efficiency

With the constant fluctuation of fuel prices, many of us are looking to reduce our driving expenses wherever possible. Enhancing your vehicle's fuel efficiency can significantly lower your petrol and diesel costs and reduce the number of trips to the gas station.

By making a few simple changes to your driving habits, you can noticeably improve your vehicle's fuel economy and save money in the process.

 

Here are a few ways to maximize fuel efficiency:

 

1. Accelerate gently

Driving aggressively and speeding up suddenly uses a lot of fuel. By gradually increasing your speed, your engine doesn't have to work as hard, which helps improve fuel efficiency and saves you money. For best results, take 5 seconds to go from a stop to 20 kilometers per hour.

 

2. Avoid high speeds on the highway

Following the speed limit not only keeps you safer but also helps you save on fuel. Driving at 120 km per hour instead of 90 km per hour can increase your fuel use by up to 20%. When conditions allow, consider using cruise control for highway driving to maintain a steady speed and improve fuel efficiency.

 

3. Watch the road ahead

Pay attention to the traffic and keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. By watching pedestrians and other cars and predicting their actions, you can maintain a steady speed and save fuel. This also makes driving safer.

 

4. Coast to slow down

Braking uses up your forward momentum and wastes fuel. By watching traffic ahead, you can often tell when it’s time to slow down before you reach it. Instead of braking, try taking your foot off the gas and coasting to reduce speed. 

 

5. Avoid idling your car

If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off your engine to save fuel. An average car uses about 300 milliliters of fuel every 10 minutes it idles. So, keep your engine off when you're parked or waiting, except in traffic.

 

6. Remove any extra weight

Heavier vehicles use more fuel. An extra 100 pounds can lower your mileage by 2%. So, take out items like salt, sand, sports gear, and any other items you don't need to save fuel.

 

7. Take off your roof rack

Removing roof racks or bicycle racks when you’re not using them can help improve fuel efficiency. Extra drag from these racks can increase fuel consumption by up to 20% on the highway.

 

8. Use air conditioning wisely

Air conditioning can increase your fuel consumption by up to 20%. To save fuel, open the windows when driving in the city, and use the car’s ventilation system with the windows closed on the highway. If you need to use the AC, choose the re-circulate option to reduce its impact.

 

Read: 10 Useful Tips to Maintain Your Car's Air Conditioning System

 

9. Check the tire pressure once a month

Underinflated tires may result in a higher fuel consumption for the car. In fact, a 56 kilopascal under-inflation in your tires might result in a 4% increase in fuel usage. You can save fuel by ensuring that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure for your vehicle, which you can find on the tire information placard. 

 

Read: How Often Should You Rotate Tires

 

10. Make proper use of a manual transmission

Observe the tachometer, which indicates engine speed. Use it to determine the ideal time to shift a manual transmission to maximize fuel efficiency. The engine burns fuel more when the rpm is higher. So, accelerate in the higher speeds and effortlessly transition through the lower ones.

Many drivers want to reduce their fuel consumption, as the cost of living crisis has caused fuel prices to increase. Over time, you can save a significant amount of time and money on fuel by using many of our fuel-saving tips and adhering to our comprehensive guide.