Tips to save on petrol
<p>The cost of fuel has rebounded to fairly expensive levels. It’s always a good time to cover a very useful question: when it comes to both driving and buying, what are some ways to decrease your petrol costs?</p> <h2><img src="https://s20.postimg.cc/9yand9i59/Saving-petrol.jpg" alt="" width="578" height="436" /></h2> <h2>Shed the kilos</h2> <p>The single biggest factor in your car’s fuel consumption is weight. The heavier your vehicle, the more energy is needed to move it along, and the more fuel you burn. It’s why big 4WDs have worse fuel economy in comparison to tiny hatchbacks. The obvious solution here is to get rid of weight from your car. Short of downsizing, this can mean emptying your boot of unneeded items such as extra bags or child seats, removing roof racks, and possibly removing your full-size spare tyre if you’ll be driving in the city. You can even try only filling your fuel tank halfway when you visit the pump. After all, the 30-50 litres of fuel in a typical tank is a decent amount of weight.</p> <h2>Drive like you’re on your test</h2> <p>Fast, aggressive driving is another easy way to burn lots of fuel. If you’re looking to save, you’re better off relaxing and taking it easy on the roads. Your engine will use less fuel at lower speeds, and accelerating more gently also means you won’t have to brake as often or as much. Braking essentially converts your car’s kinetic energy into useless heat, which is just a waste of fuel. If you can, try coasting gradually towards a stop using engine braking instead, and only brake when you come close. Changing gears earlier will also help your economy run. You accelerate more slowly in a higher gear and it takes longer to reach higher revs, meaning you burn less fuel every time you change up.</p> <h2>Turn off the technology</h2> <p>It’s estimated that air conditioning can worsen your fuel consumption by 5-10% as a result of the power it draws from the engine, and there are multiple other devices in a modern car which can use up power such as the inbuilt sat-nav and touchscreens, heat seaters and phone chargers. Turning off one or more of these modern conveniences can have a big impact on your long-term fuel use, especially if it’s something you typically use every day.</p> <h2>Look for discounts</h2> <p>Many supermarkets and convenience stores also operate service stations and offer you discounts on fuel in return for shopping with them. These vary between different companies but can be up to 20c per litre during certain times of the year. If you’re a frequent driver, it’s almost certainly worth looking out for. Furthermore, petrol stations in very built-up and very remote areas tend to be more expensive due to the logistics of supplying them, so try to find the cheapest station in your area.</p> <h2>More tips</h2> <p>1. Fill your tank in the morning.<br /><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">2. Do away with aggressive driving.</span><br />3. Only fill up when it's half tank rather than quarter tank.<br />4. Your car is not a taxi to ferry friends and unless you plan for those journeys, your friends should fill up.<br />5. Change to highest gear rather than driving in lowest gear.<br />6. Service your car regularly.<br />7. Don't over rev your car.<br />8. Look for more ways not to travel alone. Carpooling will help a lot, even only one day a week.<br />9. Drive the minimum required on the road.<br />10. Don't be hard on brakes.<br /><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">11. Try not to use aircon.</span><br />12. Don't be hard on your accelerator.<br />13. Check your tyre pressure if it's correct.<br />14. Keep windows closed.<br />15. Travel at a regular speed (ie don’t repeatedly accelerate and then slow down); use cruise control if you have one. <br />16. Synchronised traffic lights would be a big help.<br />17. It is more economical to use the aircon than driving with open windows.<br />18. Accelerate downhill and maintain speed on inclines; roll to a stop sign.<br />19. Get to know the timing of your local traffic lights.<br />20. Go for lift clubs to travel to work. Four is an ideal number: one member uses his or her car for a week, and the other for another week like that among the four of you.</p>
