Here are some very good tips on improving your vehicle's Fuel Economy / Increase Fuel Efficiency / Mileage. With increasing fuel prices it is becoming more and more prudent to use them.
Use your gears wisely :
Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is afuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 60kmph in third gearuses 25 percent more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear
Drive smoothly:
Think ahead! By applying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you canreduce both fuel consumption and wear and tear. Try to predict traffic atjunctions and when in queuing to avoid accelerating and then braking.Research suggests driving techniques can influence car fuel efficiency by asmuch as 30 percent.
Switch off your engine :
There are two schools of thought on this one. Switching your engine off forshort periods of time can actually increase fuel consumption, as it requiresmore fuel to get the engine started. Also your catalytic converter will nolonger be running at full temperature and so your car will be lessefficient, increasing the amount of pollution you cause. However if you arestopped for more than a few minutes then your car will simply burn less fuelwith the engine stopped
Drive off promptly to prevent wasting fuel
Don't leave your engine running when you first start up. Drive off straightaway if you can, but drive gently until the engine has reached its normaloperating temperature. This doesn't increase fuel efficiency as such, but itdoes mean your engine is switched on for less time.
Lighten your load :
Think carefully about what you need on a journey. if you do not needsomething, do not pack it. Remove roof racks if not needed. The lighter theload, the lower the fuel consumption, and emissions, and the higher the fuelefficiency.
Tyres effect fuel efficiency :
It is estimated that about 50% of tyres on the road are under inflated.Aside from increasing the rate of wear, this wastes fuel and decreased yourfuel efficiency. Check your tyre pressures every fortnight. Worn tyres willalso decrease fuel efficiency (and your safety!), so check the treadregularly. If you are replacing tyres then consider some of the newer 'Eco'tyres that are designed specifically to increase fuel efficiency.
Car Windows :
Driving with your windows open drastically reduces your fuel efficiency, farmore so than putting the air conditioning on when motorway driving. So inthose hot summers(?) preferably keep the windows shut, and the airconditioning on if you want to keep cool. Of course the air conditioning decreases fuel efficiency too, so try not to over use it.
Invest in a new fuel efficient car :
New cars come in all shapes and sizes, but it is possible to pick a new carthat can greatly reduce your fuel bill, and your fuel emissions.
Size matters :
Choose an economical car - small cars use far more fuelefficient and produce lower emissions than large cars.Drive the most fuel-efficient car that meets your needs. Compare models andclasses. Even similarly sized cars can vary in fuel efficiency by up to 45%.Consider diesel engines (with a particulate trap), and LPG (LiquefiedPetroleum Gas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) fuelled cars - all havelower CO2 emissions than standard petrol cars.
Consider 'hybrid' vehicles :
they combine a conventional engine with anelectric motor and battery. These offer reduced fuel consumption and CO2with potentially lower emissions of all pollutants.
Diesel Engines :
If your going to buy a diesel, ensure it is a new 'common rail' type, asthese are approximately 10% more efficient than older diesels. also replace(or clean if applicable) air cleaner elements as often as is required byyour vehicles servicing schedule.Regluar Maintenance maintains fuel efficiency
Air Filter :
One of the most common reasons for a drop in fuel efficiency is a dirtyintake filter. This will decrease the amount of air entering the cylindersof the engine resulting in incomplete combustion. Check the filter regularlyto ensure that it is clean.
Spark Plugs :
Ensure your spark plugs are in good condition. Renew the plugs and wires atintervals specified by the owners manual. This will keep all cylindersfiring properly resulting in higher efficiency.
Lube Oil :
Change the lube oil at intervals specified by the owners manual. Use therecommended oil only especially in newer cars. Use of an engine flush beforechanging the oil will help to get rid of a lot of the dirt that collects inthe engine that a normal oil change will not remove. On older engines it isadvisable to use an oil treatment agent. This basically thickens the oilwhich creates a better seal between the piston and the liner, preventingblow past and consequent loss of combustion pressure, resulting in higherfuel efficiency.
Exhausts alter fuel efficiency :
Most cars have special sizes for the exhaust. When cars are reasonably oldthe silences has to be changed. The garage people always try to fit a sizethat they have in the garage it self. Which might not be the exact sizerecommended for the car. The wrong size a bigger or smaller silencer sizeeffects on the MPG of the car and the HP of the car. It may be cheaper toput another size than your recommended size for your car but on the long runit will cost you in many ways, especially on fuel consumption. Always putthe recommended size of the exhaust that is indicated in your car manualbecause the car company knows how to optimize the performance of your car.
From:
"Priya Malhotra"
No comments:
Post a Comment