Fuel Economy Tricks: How to Save Petrol Money


Watching Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman trying to debunk the myths of fuel economy in their hit Discovery Channel show “Mythbusters” makes us wonder as to how we can save petrol money. Fuel prices have continued to increase because of fluctuating supply and demand. Aside from that, motorists driving SUVs or coupes may experience different rates of fuel consumption so there is growing need to save fuel and stretch the budget. Cars with high fuel consumption means that you are burning dollars as fast as you can top up your fuel tank. If you are looking for vehicles that allow you to save petrol then you have to check out a motoring search site to find the right one.

Have a little research about your car’s features and performance so that you will know if it needs tune-up and repair. Check the recommended grade of petrol for Lamborghini Murcielago or Ford Focus because one trick may not work on the other. You have to understand that higher petrol grades don’t necessarily improves car performance. Perhaps, you can learn a lesson from F1 maintenance crews as to how you can maximise fuel efficiency. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be like Fernando Alonso or Michael Schumacher because there are easy ways to save money on petrol.

1. Keep tyres inflated

We all know that saving petrol is saving money so keeping your tyres inflated is one way to achieve minimum fuel consumption. Keep in mind that under-inflated and deflated tyres may jeopardise your personal safety on the road. Wear and tear may also affect your tyre stability so always check if the rubber threads are intact.

2. Regular check on air filter

Want to save petrol money? Clean your car’s air filter by following important vehicle maintenance tips. It is obvious that fuel consumption would increase by 10% because of a clogged air filter. Once the airflow to the engine is restricted, the engine may overheat and petrol intake would become inefficient.

3. Drive in a regular speed

Driving above the regular speed and beyond the speed limit may force your engine to work double time in order to achieve that speed. Once the speed increases, fuel consumption increases too! If there is aerodynamic drag in your vehicle, there is a greater chance that your petrol would be depleted faster than normal.

4. Proper vehicle startup

You don’t have to prime up your vehicle before you hit the road. There is no need to warm up the engine by pumping the accelerator pedal repeatedly because it will only waste fuel. Remember to keep your car idle for no more than a minute once you start your engine. Save money on petrol by getting your engine warmed up on the road without accelerating prematurely.

5. Use thinner tyres

Thinner tyres may have a small layer of reinforced rubber threads but there is a big chance that it can be punctured from sharp objects in the road. When rubber threads gave way to road friction and extreme road conditions, there is a big chance that rolling resistance would force the engine to work harder and consume more fuel in the process. Though thicker tyres may improve handling of your car, it also increases resistance therefore increasing fuel consumption. Know which type of tyre is appropriate for your vehicle.

6. Travel light

Follow tips to save petrol by packing light because your car engine has to consume more fuel in order to compensate the weight of the items you load unto your vehicle. Look for ways, save petrol, and get rid of unnecessary items.

7. Plan your destination to avoid traffic

Believe it or not, your car consumes more petrol even when it is idle for extended period of time. If you know where rush hour traffic occurs, find ways to travel where you can avoid bottlenecks and bumper-to-bumper gridlocks. Traffic conditions can seriously affect your fuel economy so it is advisable to avoid tailgating and manage your speed effectively. You will waste fuel when you make abrupt brakes and frequent stops.

8. Never accelerate too much

There are many ways you can do it with ease if you are asking how to save money on petrol. Maintain your speed when you are on the road because once you accelerate too much then fuel consumption goes with it.

9. Minimise drag

Air drag and resistance can increase fuel consumption so make sure you get rid of roof racks and other luggage.

10. Never let your engine idle

Don’t let your engine stay idle for long because petrol intake can go to waste. Find a guide to saving money on your daily fuel consumption because experts agree that you will save more fuel than restarting your engine.

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