With fuel prices constantly rising, it’s great to get the most out of every drop in your tank. Although fuel efficiency will hugely differ depending on your car and its engine, there are some things you can do to help it stretch a little further.
Check your tyres
Tyres are one of the most important parts of your car to ensure a smooth ride, but did you know they also play a big part in fuel efficiency?
Underinflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance, meaning more fuel is used to turn them. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that for every 1% decrease in tyre pressure, fuel consumption is reduced by 0.3%.
Make sure they’re inflated to the correct pressure to take that extra strain off. To do this, you’ll need an air compressor. You could buy this, but it can be easier to use those at a petrol station which tend to be free of charge.
If your tyres aren’t maintaining pressure, they may need to be replaced or repaired. Find out more about how we can help you tyres here.
Drive with care
Driving more carefully is not only essential for your safety, but it also helps you get better MPG.
Driving at higher speeds regularly means your car is using more fuel to combat drag. Of course this is sometimes unavoidable – for example if you’re driving on the motorway daily – but it’s great to keep in mind.
The same applies to sudden accelerating and/or breaking. Making an effort to anticipate what the driver in front of you is planning to do will give you enough time to react and adjust accordingly.
Use your aircon wisely
Aircon plays a bigger part on your fuel consumption than you may think. When you’re stuck in standstill traffic or at low speeds, having your aircon on puts a big strain on your engine. Try to put your windows down as a first option instead of reaching straight for the aircon.
Similarly to aircon, anything heated will also have a similar effect such as heated seats or windscreens.
However, this changes when you’re driving at a quicker speed. Having the windows open when travelling fast is going to create drag which is bad news for your fuel. Having your AC on is actually more effective in situations like this.
Keep up with maintenance
Fixing any issues that happen to your vehicle can be a costly task, but there’s a reason it’s advised. If your car is serviced regularly and has oil and filter changes, it will run better than a neglected one. This means not only will your drive be smoother, but you’ll get more out of your tank of fuel.
If you don’t know where to start with car maintenance, let us do it for you. Book in for a service.
