As gas prices continue to increase, everyone’s mind turns to what they can do to enhance their car’s fuel economy. To assist you in doing so more successfully, we’ve compiled a list of ten simple fuel-saving strategies to improve your car’s mileage.
Each of these suggestions will enhance your mileage somewhat, but using them all together can provide big results. But first, let’s see how much fuel economy your vehicle truly provides.
While most current automobiles include a fuel economy indicator in the instrument cluster, it may not accurately reflect the vehicle’s mileage.
Instead, we suggest you attempt the ‘tank full test.’
This is how you should go about it:
- To begin, load your automobile to the full with gas. When we say ‘up to the full,’ we mean until your car can no longer take any more fuel.
- The trip meter reading should then be reset.
- Next, fill the car to the brim in the same way you did above after your journey or whenever you refuel the car next and record the amount of fuel that goes in.
To get a close estimate of fuel economy, multiply the travel distance by the amount of gasoline that has been replenished. When we say “near to actual,” we mean that we account for human error and odometer reading error, both of which may still exist. However, for estimating fuel economy, this technique is the most trustworthy.
Use these 10 tips to improve your car’s mileage once you’ve discovered the vehicle’s fuel efficiency
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Maintain the condition of your vehicle
Aerodynamics is used in motorsport to make a car move faster. At its foundation, the concept is to reduce air resistance in order to make a car drive faster while using less gasoline.
As a result, you must ensure your car gets good service and periodical maintenance. If the front bumper, for example, is misaligned, it may cause more drag, resulting in decreased fuel economy. A baggage carrier on top of your automobile, meanwhile, can reduce fuel economy.
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Always go for periodic inspection & maintenance
Routine car maintenance can assist in improving your car’s mileage.
Timely car service and maintenance is essential to keep it in good working order. A schedule for suggested maintenance may be found in your owner’s handbook. The manufacturer created this schedule and is based on either time or miles for each needed service.
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Carry what you need
The more weight your automobile has to transport, the more gasoline it requires. Therefore, get rid of whatever additional weight you have in your vehicle. Only keep the items that you require.
While you may use the ‘full tank approach’ to assess your car’s fuel economy, you should avoid filling it up to the maximum because more gasoline implies more weight.
Keeping 25 litres less fuel in a car with a 50-litre fuel tank saves you 18.40 kg (calculated for vehicle gasoline), which will undoubtedly manifest in improved mpg estimates.
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The manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure should be followed
Tires that are wider than the manufacturer’s suggested size may look nice and may help with handling, but they may increase rolling resistance, lowering your car’s fuel economy.
As a result, you should keep to the tire size advised by the manufacturer, which you can find in the car’s handbook. Make sure your car’s wheels are balanced and aligned as well. You may get it done at a licensed service centre.
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Follow the servicing intervals indicated by the manufacturer
Every car’s manufacturer recommends a certain service interval, which varies from vehicle to vehicle. According to manufacturer recommendations, service centres also provide the next service due date and mileage.
You should regularly maintain your automobile since manufacturers meticulously plan the service intervals to ensure the vehicle’s longevity. In the long term, a well-maintained automobile will be more fuel-efficient and a far more reliable friend.
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Gradually increase your speed
Accelerating quickly from a standstill burns more gasoline than accelerating gradually. For both manual and automatic vehicles, it is true. So instead, steadily increase, keep a consistent speed, and stay inside legal limits.
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Be in the ‘right’ gear
Keep an eye on the rev counter (tachometer), which is now standard in most autos. When driving about town and attempting to maintain a steady pace, try to stay in a gear that keeps your rev counter between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm (for most cars, both petrol and diesel). If you are rolling down the highway at a constant speed, try to stay in the highest gear possible.
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Come to a stop by coasting
If you think you’ll have to come to a halt or reduce your speed significantly in the near future, take your foot off the accelerator and let the car decelerate naturally (coast).
In comparison to even a gentle press of the throttle, lifting your foot off causes the car to consume less fuel. If the road ahead clears, you’ll have a better chance of not having to come to a complete stop. You will be able to keep up with speed and conserve gasoline in this situation.
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On the highway, turn on the air conditioning and roll up the windows
While it’s nice to catch some fresh air on the highway, rolling down the windows and turning on the AC will not reduce your fuel efficiency. Closed windows with the AC on are more efficient at higher speeds because they keep the majority of the wind resistance at bay. Rolling the windows down at slower city speeds (about 40kmph) on a nice day can be a smart idea and save you some gas.
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Make a route plan
You should avoid driving during rush hour unless it is necessary. Plan your route to avoid traffic because automobiles waste more gasoline in stop-and-go traffic, as well as while idling at signals or stuck in gridlock. It is recommended to turn off the ignition if the traffic light lasts more than a minute.
Take Away
Maintaining your automobile properly is essential to keeping it in good working order. It may also secure your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of other drivers on the road. Here are a few tips to ensure your automobile is in good working order. Some automobile maintenance may be done at home, while others require the services of a skilled mechanic or a reliable car service workshop.
