For most people, fuel economy means leaving your car at home and taking the bus or the subway to go to work. Nothing wrong with that. Especially with gas prices constantly rising.
But fuel economy does not mean you have to drive less. Fuel economy means you have to drive smart. No matter what kind of vehicle you are driving, be it a seven-seater family wagon, or a trendy SUV, you can employ some best driving and maintenance practices that can help you save fuel.
1. Check your tyre pressure
If your tyres are not pumped to the right pressure as specified by the manufacturers, then you need more fuel to keep them rolling. Always check the tyre pressure before you drive, while the wheels are still cold. Hot tyres always give false reading.
2. Check your air filter
Air filters are the easiest parts to replace. A dirty filter will block the specified amount of air circulating in the engine. If your air filter is dirty, the car has to work harder and burn more fuel in the process.
3. Check that your spark plugs are working properly
A faulty spark plug causes engine to work harder, burning more fuel. If not replaced, it will cause damage to other parts of the engine. Spark plugs are cheap and you can buy some spare in case of emergency.
4. Reduce your speed
This is simple economics. When you drive fast, you burn more engine. Try to reduce your speed to conserve fuel. Reducing your speed by mere 5 or 10 kph will have significant impact on your fuel use.
5. Maintain a constant speed
Fuel is burned with every shift of engine speed. Try to drive with constant speed. That is the reason why driving in city traffic costs you more on fuel.
6. Gradual acceleration
Unless you are driving in a race, or during emergency, you will save more on fuel if you accelerate slowly. Sudden acceleration and sudden brakes use massive amount of fuel. When driving stick, try to shift gears as smooth as possible.
7. Clean up your excess baggage
Keep your car free of extra baggage. Less weight of the car means less fuel is needed to keep it running.
8. Accessories
Again, less weight means less fuel. Roof-racks and spoilers add extra weight. Wider than usual tyres and rims mean more resistance and more fuel needed to turn them. You might want to reconsider attaching them sparingly, or only when needed.
9. Air conditioner
Air conditioner uses a lot of fuel. You might want to consider turning the AC off and instead, opening a window.
10. Check your car condition regularly
Keeping the car in tip-top condition will save fuel. Ignoring small issues and the occasional rattle will cause the engine to work harder. The best thing is to have your car regularly checked by a mechanic.