Fuel prices have hit a record high, Autos Consultants would like to share its checklist of the eight ways to maximize fuel efficiency and save money at the pump.
Tip 1: Make sure your tire pressure meets the suggested PSI. This information can be found either inside the driver side door sticker or inside the fuel door. The correct inflation for your tires can help improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency by 5-8%. A vehicle's tire pressure may drop for a number of reasons. On average, a car's PSI can drop about 1 per month and is why we suggest tire pressure be checked on a monthly basis.
Tip 2: Remove unnecessary items from your roof rack. Bulky items on your car's roof affect its drag coefficient, making the vehicle less aerodynamic. Items on the roof add weight to the car, another factor, which reduces fuel efficiency.
Tip 3: Use an app to find the cheapest fuel in your area. Apps like GasBuddy and Google help find gas stations within your proximity that offer the best pricing. Look for stations that offer promotions on fuel, some stations offer two or three cents off per liter, one day a week.
Tip 4: Leave early! The tighter you are on time, the more aggressive you will be in a stop and go situation. Subtle acceleration is the key to saving fuel.
Tip 5: Respect speed limits: Slowing speeds on your daily commute by a few KM per hour will help you save fuel. Studies show that the difference between driving 100km/h and 120 km/h can help save 1 to 2 L/100km.
Tip 6: Use the Auto Stop/Start function: Many modern vehicles come with the standard Stop/Start function to automatically shut off the engine while idling. Some drivers may find this function intrusive but it is designed to save fuel. This system can be identified by an A with a circle around it.
Tip 7: Use the Eco mode: Some cars have selectable driver modes. Cars with this type of system will have an Eco, Normal and Sports mode. Eco mode functions as a way to hold a car's RPM as low as possible and shift up as quickly as possible for efficiency. In Eco mode, the vehicle's climate controls may be cut as a way to further save on fuel.
Tip 8: Skip Gears (Manual transmission only): For those who are still rowing their own gears, skipping a gear (eg. shifting directly from 2nd to 4th rather than 2nd to 3rd) will help keep RPM low, the lower the RPM, the less fuel being consumed. You can read our blog about the different types of transmissions in modern cars.
Please reach out to Autos Consultants if you are looking for help saving fuel or have questions about making the move to a more efficient vehicle.
Comments