Simple Ways to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

Reduce your Costs by Increasing Car Fuel Efficiency

Keeping a car on the road can be expensive. Motor tax, insurance and car maintenance all add up on a yearly basis. That’s why taking a step back from time-to-time to see where you can save money is always worthwhile.

There are some things you can to save money, stick to your budget and keep your costs down from the start, like shopping around for car insurance or buying a newer, more reliable car. But how can you keep costs down on a continual basis? One way to reduce your car’s running costs is to increase its fuel efficiency. Below we’ve listed some easy ways that you can reduce your fuel consumption and keep mre money in your pocket. 

Keep Your Tyres at the Correct Pressure

Keeping your car tyres properly inflated is important for safety. But did you know that keeping your tyres inflated to the correct pressure increases your fuel efficiency? An underinflated tyre creates more friction with the road causing your car’s engine to work harder and burn more fuel. A drop as small as 10% in tyre pressure can cause a 2.5% decrease in fuel efficiency. You should check your tyre pressure at least once a month to make sure they’re at the correct pressure. If not, you can go to your local fuel station, where you can inflate your tyres for free.

Don’t Spill

When you’re topping up your car with fuel, don’t pull the fuel nozzle away too early. We’ve all left a fuel station at some point with diesel/petrol stains streaming down the side of our car. When you’ve finished pumping fuel into your car, allow a few seconds for the remaining fuel in the hose to pour into your car instead of onto the ground! It might seem like a small thing but it can save you in the long-term.

Is your Air Filter Clean?

Your air filter might not be something you think about very often, but dirt and dust can build up in your filter and prevent it from working at its best. Your car’s engine needs to take in air to breathe and maintain the correct air-fuel mixture. Having a dirty air filter can prevent this, causing your engine to work harder and burn more fuel to maintain the same speeds, reducing its efficiency. So, if you’re driving in a dusty environment often, get it checked. 

Get in Gear

If you’re increasing your speed, you should be moving up in the gears as well. Driving at a higher speed using a low gear can dramatically increase fuel consumption. Whereas driving in a higher gear and maintaining a steady speed is better for fuel efficiency. Likewise, anticipating the road ahead, driving in a controlled manner and braking and accelerating gently all contribute to reducing fuel consumption.

Most new cars come with shift indicators that tell you when the most efficient time to change gear is. You should shift to new gear at approximately 2.000 RAM or follow the quick guide below:

1st Gear              Taking Off

2nd Gear            10-20 kph

3rd Gear             30-40 kph

4th Gear             40-50 kph

5th Gear              50-60+kph

6th Gear              70+ kph

Take the Weight Off

If you’re home from golfing or shopping, the sooner you take your golf bag or groceries out of your car, the better. By decreasing the load, your car has less work to get from A to B and it can help save you up to 20% on fuel costs. Keeping your boot empty is not the only way to do this, don’t forget to remove the roof rack and bike holder when you’re not using them, too.

Are You Cool Enough?

Turn off the air conditioning system if you don’t need it. Your car’s AC, when used continuously, can increase your car’s fuel consumption by a surprising amount. To save fuel, when your car is at the right temperature, turn it off and keep the windows up.

Slow Down

Try to think of the journey ahead. If you’re approaching traffic lights, don’t speed up and then decelerate quickly. Accelerating and breaking quickly is not an efficient way to drive your car. If you stick to a smooth speed, it puts less pressure on your car and keeps your fuel tank fuller for longer.

Stay Smooth

Try to think of the journey ahead. If you’re approaching traffic lights, don’t speed up and then decelerate quickly. Accelerating and breaking quickly uses more fuel and is not an efficient way to drive your car. If you stick to a smooth speed, it puts less pressure on your car and keeps your fuel tank fuller for longer.

Two for One

If you’re heading to the shop for milk and picking up the kids from school in two hours, try to combine your trip instead of doubling your fuel consumption. It might not seem like much saving, but it adds up over time.

Shop Around

At the start of the year, diesel prices varied from €1 to €1.16 per litre across Ireland. If you’re filling your car up (although it’s more efficient if you just half-fill it), that difference adds up. It’s a good habit to keep an eye on different fuel prices, even when you’re not buying, to get a general idea of the cheapest fuel provider in your area. But travelling 50 kilometres for slightly cheaper fuel isn’t the most fuel-efficient approach you can take!

Turn It Off 

Don’t leave your engine on if you’re stuck in traffic for a long time. Your engine uses extra fuel when it starts however, if your car is idle for over a minute, it burns more fuel. So if you think you’re going to be there for a while, switch it off. In recent years, car brands have fitted their cars with a stop/start device that automatically shuts your car off when you’re in idle traffic.

Use Cruise Control on Motorways

Cruise control can aid fuel efficiency when driving on a constant flat surface which is perfect for motorway driving. It helps save fuel as you are driving at a constant speed. Although be aware that you should not use cruise control in wet weather or run the risk of aquaplaning.

Remove Roof Bars 

You should remove them if you don’t need roof bars or boxes. They can cause wind resistance, and this will lead to you using more fuel as your car is dragging. The faster you drive like this, the more fuel you will ultimately use. 

Clean Out Your Boot

Car owners tend to hoard things in their car boots, which starts to build up. All that added weight is slowing down your car. You will have to drive harder and thus use up more of your precious fule. Only take essentials that you need in your boot. Remove any items that you are not using.

Leave the Car at Home

An obvious way to save fuel is to not drive your car! If you can, consider leaving your car at home for short trips or journeys and walk, cycle or use public transport instead. 

Now that you know how to save money on fuel, why not try saving money on your car insurance with KennCo? Get a fast, reliable online quote today.