Currently, the price of petrol in the country is moving towards 700/liter, and many car owners have had to bear the brunt since the fuel subsidy removal. If you are in the market for a new car, it’s important to go after fuel-efficient vehicles at this point.
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However, if you already own a vehicle, here are five really easy ways to improve your current car’s gas mileage and performance.
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- Always Plan your Trips
One way to save on fuel is to plan out your trips accordingly. Whether you have to make one trip or multiple trips, planning out the route beforehand can ensure that you get to where you’re going in the most efficient way possible. Fortunately, the Google Maps app that you likely always use on your phone can do most, if not all, of the planning for you.
- Ensure Your Car’s Tires are in Good Condition and Properly Inflated
A car’s underinflated tires can equate to a 3% drop in overall fuel economy. On top of that, underinflated tires can also lead to unnecessary wear and tear, which means that you may need to replace the tires sooner than expected. To save money on gas and an inevitable tire replacement, make sure to check your car’s tire pressures once a month.
- Regular Car Maintenance Goes a Long Way
If you want to not only your car’s fuel economy but also its overall performance, then it’s a good idea to keep up with its maintenance. That means making sure that the oil is changed routinely, the air filter is clean, and the tires are in good shape. Those three things alone could help a lot, but if your car requires any other repairs, make sure to tend to them to get the best out of your vehicle.
- Clean Your Car Regularly
Do you have a bunch of junk lying around in your car? Well, all of that stuff not only leaves an unsightly mess, but it also adds unnecessary weight. By removing any clutter like boxes, tools, or even a gym bag full of sweaty clothes, you can lighten up your car’s load and get more miles per gallon – even if it’s just a couple of miles.
- Keep Car Idling to a Minimum
Are you the type of driver who likes to sit in the car and let it warm up for a minute before driving? First of all, you don’t need to do that. Second, your car is technically getting 0 mpg when it’s sitting idle.
In that case, keep the car moving and don’t let it sit idle for too long. Instead, shut the engine off whenever you need to hang out and wait somewhere. Your car and your wallet will thank you later.
6. Reduce How You Step on the Vehicle’s Pedal
Maybe you are unaware but constantly speeding, braking and quick accelerations all contribute to vehicle fuel waste. If you want to reduce the extent to which your vehicle consumes fuel, try as much as possible to control how much you step on the pedals. It might be fun to speed with your vehicle, but the consequence is a fuel tank that quickly goes empty.
7. Make Use of Your Vehicle’s Cruise Control
If you own one of the latest model vehicles that comes with adaptive cruise control, then you should take advantage of it to reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Car experts note that the appropriate use of adaptive cruise control improves your vehicle’s fuel economy by 14%.
8. Turn Off Your Car Engine
Avoid leaving your car’s engine running when you’re out of the car. The more the engine stays on, the more fuel it consumes. Manage your vehicle’s fuel by quickly putting off the engine once you’re out of the vehicle. Also, reduce vehicle morning warm-ups, they all add up.
9. Inspect & Replace Your Spark Plug
Is your vehicle consuming a lot of fuel? Perhaps you should quickly check the spark plug. A worn-out spark plug wears down the fuel economy of your vehicle, thereby draining a lot of fuel. If you usually use a full tank for a week and suddenly it starts lasting for a few days, there’s a high chance your vehicle’s spark plug needs attention.
10. Inspect Your Car Tire’s Alignment
Sometimes it might not be the spark plug but your tire’s alignment that is consuming fuel. When your tires are misaligned, they drag while you drive, instead of freely rolling, (also causing the tires to wear out quickly).
If you’re wondering how you would know, pay attention to your steering wheels. Once you start feeling the steering vibrate, then the alignment must have gone out of place and needs urgent servicing for better fuel economy and long-lasting tire.
Conclusion
It’s bad enough that we have to pay a lot for petrol nowadays, but reducing the amount of driving we do with our cars and fixing minor car issues will improve our vehicle’s fuel economy. With these simple and free steps, you can ensure that your car won’t need to visit the filling station more often. What’s even better is that you won’t need to necessarily save fuel either, as your vehicle fuel consumption will drastically be reduced.
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