How to Use Less Fuel
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by: icampbell
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Word Count: 487
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 Time: 3:25 AM
Fuel efficiency is a hot topic right now. With the instability in the Middle East, along with the global recession, people are struggling to afford to fill their cars with fuel. With the ozone layer becoming thinner each year, there are also environmental reasons why consumers are thinking carefully about how their cars can become more fuel-efficient.
To save on fuel consumption, keep the carload down. Make sure unnecessary heavy items are removed from the boot. The heavier the car, the more fuel is used. For every additional 50kg of weight you have in your car, your fuel consumption will increase by 2%. You may also wish to consider downsizing your car. Large, heavy cars such as SUVs use a lot more fuel than small, light cars. Also consider the weight of fuel in your tank – it pays not to fill your tank to the top.
Anticipate when cars ahead of you are slowing down, so you can do so gently. The sudden use of breaks and then acceleration uses a lot of fuel and if you can avoid this, you will save up to 30% on fuel costs. Aim to drive at a consistent speed and drive within the speed limit. If you drive at 50 miles (80km)/hour instead of 62 miles (100km)/hour, you can reduce your fuel consumption by up to 30%. The faster you drive; the more fuel you will use.
Keep your car tyres pumped up. By doing this, you can save fuel as flat tyres increase resistance, which in turn increases fuel consumption, not to mention the safety factor. Check your tyre pressure once a week and use the recommended pressure readings for your car as per your car manual.
Avoid using air-conditioning. The use of air-conditioning increases fuel consumption by up to 10%, so try to avoid using it wherever possible by opening the car windows instead. However if you are driving over 50 miles (80km)/hour, it is best to keep the windows closed as the open windows at this speed will create air drag, which leads to higher fuel consumption than if you were to use your air conditioning. Of course if you have a damaged windscreen , this may create problems with air drag as well.
Shop around for the best prices, and use any fuel vouchers you can find. If you are waiting at traffic lights for an extended length of time, you can save a significant amount of fuel by putting your car into neutral or park.
Finally, try to use public transport where possible, walk to your local shops and carpool with others. If you only use your car when absolutely necessary, and change your driving habits, then you should see a reduction in the cost of filling up your car.
Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
About the Author
Isla is a part of the digital blogging team at shoutingindigital.com who work with brands like Autoglass. For more information about me, or to keep up to date with the latest in retail news, check out my posts at shoutingindigital.com or visit my Twitter account, @shoutingID.
