Fuel and other car expenses are necessary evils, just like the need to pay for household utility bills. Many car owners do not apply their minds to it, but the amount they spend on fuel and other avoidable car repairs could add up to £5,000 a year.
It is, however, possible to save on car repairs and fuel usage by adopting a simple lifestyle that will leave extra bills over time in your wallet.
Here are things you can do to cut back on the amount of fuel your car uses and ultimately save on car fuel:
Always examine your car tyre pressures
This is hard to believe, but inaccurate or inappropriate car tyre pressures will cause your car to consume more fuel. Most people don’t often check their car tyre pressures but auto experts advise it must be checked at least once per month and before embarking on long trips. You can find the correct tyre pressures for your car in the vehicle handbook and maybe on the inside of the fuel filler cap.
Switch off the air-conditioner of your car
Air-conditioner takes a dip into your fuel reserve if you are driving at low speeds. So it is best to turn it off if you are stuck in traffic or driving through a terribly winding road; it is advisable to roll down your window glass to allow fresh air inside when stuck in traffic or navigating a bad road.
Driving fast along a good road with your windows and sunroof down will increase the drag of your car and invariably increase fuel consumption.
Cut down on the unnecessary luggage
Heavy luggage in your car trunk and on the roof rack slows down your car and increases fuel usage. You can reduce your luggage to only important items if you want to increase the efficiency of your car engine and its corresponding fuel-saving capability. Any extra luggage that is not important for your trip will increase drag, so they should be removed from the car to lighten it and improve fuel efficiency.
Avoid sudden acceleration and braking
Sudden acceleration and braking puts your engine to unnecessary labour and increases your fuel consumption. It is best to accelerate slowly and gently to gather speed that stepping down on the throttle at once to jump the car, and it is best to avoid braking every now and down except it is absolutely necessary. Where possible, switch to the fifth and sixth gear for a smooth driving experience to minimize fuel consumption.
Service your car engine always
An unserviced car engine takes it out on fuel consumption. Servicing your car after long trips and quarterly put it in good condition to serve you without any sudden problems. You may also have to be observant of the lights on your dashboard to know when your car is due for service, and do not forget to use only the approved oil grade for your engine to keep it functional and efficient.
Avoid driving at peak traffic times
Getting stuck in traffic is equal to increased fuel usage. If possible, leave home 30 minutes earlier so that you can beat traffic congestion during peak periods. It is also better to use alternative routes to your destination and avoid traffic jams in the process.
If you must commute daily and require the use of your car during peak times, you can consider buying a hybrid car since they use lesser fuel and much better if they have start-stop technology.
Buy your fuel from a cheap retailer
Do not always take the price of fuel in your street for granted, drive around the neighbourhood to compare prices and buy from the cheaper retailer.
Shopping for a cheap retailer does not mean driving for 20 miles to save one penny on a litre of petrol, but you should know what constitutes a significant saving when buying from one retailer to the other.
Buy a fuel-efficient, economy car
There is this belief that Japanese cars are more fuel-efficient than American cars. If this is true and attested to by auto experts, what stops you from buying a Japanese car if you will save half of what you will spend on an American car by it?
Lots of American cars are also fuel-efficient than others, so you might want to consider fuel-economy when considering your next car.
While this sounds wild, do you know you can save a lot of money over time by taking public transports instead of driving around or commuting in your own car? Think about this.