Improving your fuel efficiency is as easier than you might think…
WA fuel prices have been steadily on the rise, recently creeping above the $2 per litre mark for the first time ever. While you can be strategic about when and where you fill up to save a few bucks, there are plenty of other easy ways you can improve the fuel efficiency in your vehicle.
We’ve listed our top fuel-saving tips below:
Monitor tyre pressure and alignment
An under-inflated tyre is cause for premature wear and will also affect your car’s rate of fuel consumption. This is due to increased rolling resistance which will decrease your fuel economy. You should regularly check your tyre pressure and keep it filled to the PSI that is recommended for your vehicle model.
Another thing to monitor is your car’s wheel alignment. If this is out it will fight the grip of the tyre and cause your vehicle to consume more fuel to correct it. If you notice that your car is pulling to one side as you drive, it may be that your alignment is out. The mis-aligned tyre will also show more wear than the others.
You will need to take your vehicle in to a mechanic to fix an alignment issue.
Remove excess weight
If you’re guilty of storing heavy items in your vehicle which aren’t being used, you are wasting money on fuel to lug these around with you. Whether it’s sports equipment, marketing materials for work or tools that you don’t regularly use, removing extra weight from your vehicle is one of the easiest ways to save on your fuel consumption.
Smoother driving
Fuel usage is highly dependant on the way you drive your vehicle. Accelerating too fast will consume fuel faster than gradually increasing your speed. Tailgating is another thing to avoid as you will be slowing down and speeding up in reaction to the car in front, thus putting more demand on your car and fuel. By keeping a safer distance to the car ahead, you are able to cruise along at a consistent speed and have time to anticipate any situations up ahead and make decisions which better retain your pace.
Reduce drag
Reducing drag is another easy way to allow your car to sail along smoothly and conserve fuel usage. There are 2 quick-wins to ensure your car is as aerodynamic as possible:
- Remove any roof racks that aren’t being used
- Don’t drive at high speed with your windows down
Consider using Premium fuel
This sounds counterproductive in a blog about saving money on fuel, as Premium* unleaded is more expensive than regular, however, the fuel economy you gain by using a higher quality petrol won’t take long to show in your bank balance. After a few fills, you should find that your vehicle is getting extra mileage per tank, meaning visits to the bowser are less frequent. As well as being better for the environment, using a premium product is also kinder to your engine, which can prolong the need for replacement parts and slow down general wear.
Keep up-to-date with your servicing schedule
Arguably the most important thing that you can do to keep your vehicle at optimal performance levels and ensure your fuel consumption is as economical as possible is to regularly get your car serviced at a reliable mechanic.
A service will include checks on your oil and lubricants, air filters, tyre wear and alignment and many other engine parts to ensure everything is running smoothly and not using excess energy to keep your car moving.
Maintaining services on your vehicle will result in improved fuel consumption as well as monitoring any other potential issues and fixing these before they become an issue.
If you need a professional auto mechanic to look after your pride and joy, the team at Rhodeside Auto Tune are ready to help. Contact us today to enquire about our services and see why we’re one of Perth’s most reputable and trustworthy service centres since 1984.
*Remember to check your car’s manual for recommendations on suitable fuel to use.