Fuel efficiency starts with keeping track of what a car consumes. When refilling the tank, resetting the odometer (the distance clock on the dashboard) is a good way to gauge the situation. This will help to determine how fast a vehicle burns through fuel and where improvements can be made. Best of all, taking ownership for one’s car is key and see how the following tips below weigh up.
Air Pressure
Keeping tyres well inflated will reduce friction and resistance when racing around. Should the tyre pressure of a car dip 10 PSI lower than the recommended pressure on the tyre, fuel economy can be reduced by up to 10%.
“Checking air pressure on tyres only takes a moment of your time, so top it up regularly,” advises Chris Lett, owner and tyre expert at Branigans Tyres. He also suggests the observation of what gauge a vehicle driver follows. “Sometimes service stations don’t always have accurate measures but do invest in an inexpensive pressure gauge and leave it in the glove box,” he says.
If that’s not high on the list of priorities, at least stop by any Branigans Tyres branch for a quick (and free) pressure check before hitting the road.
Air Conditioning
When a vehicle’s air conditioning is maxed out, distance per fuel consumption is reduced anywhere between 5 to 20%. The best way to minimise consumption is to wait a few minutes before dialling it up.
Another way to reduce the impact air conditioning has on fuel efficiency is to switch it off and drive with open windows in lower speed areas. Flick the air conditioning off a few minutes before arriving at a destination and save up on gas even during summer.
Driving style
Drivers should be conscious of a car that is constantly consuming fuel and should let the following help influence their driving. A few things to monitor are listed below.
- Avoid tailgating; for one, it annoys the person in front but it’s always going to make driving less consistent with braking and accelerating.
- Drivers should avoid racing off the mark. They must resist pushing the pedal to the floor to get going, rather just build up speed with steady acceleration.
Remove Excess Weight
We should strive to make vehicles more “streamlined”. This can be done effortlessly by removing excess stuff that’s not necessary. Think an out of season ski/kayak/bike rack that’s not being used for 95% of car travel.
Also, try reducing the weight in the vehicle by taking out heavy equipment gathering dust in the boot or whatever it may be.
Use Websites and Apps to Locate Cheap Fuel
Inevitably, one is bound to need a fill up at some point. So the last recommendation is to fill up at the service stations with the lowest fuel prices. Avoid driving around town looking at all the large display signs of each gas station, because it’s just not economical. Use apps such as Fuel Map Australia and Petrol Spy Australia to compare the best local prices.
For further information, visit or call Chris and his team at Second Hand Tyres Gold Coast |Branigans Budget Tyres by contacting the Service Centres in Burleigh Heads (07) 5535 2660 or Southport (07) 5591 8633.
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