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Tips for using less fuel when driving
How do you get more bang for your buck at the petrol pump?
The most asked question Carsguide receives is from owners wanting to know how to get more bang for the buck they spend at the petrol pump.
Here are some of the ways that can be done:
1. Compare before you buy. All carmakers are required to reveal the fuel consumption of the cars they make and it's displayed on a sticker on the car's windscreen.
2. It's important to understand, however, that the consumption is derived from a standard test under strictly controlled laboratory conditions and not real life. Use it to compare one model to another, but do not assume it will be the consumption you will get from your car once it hits the road.
3. You could reasonably expect that the claimed average consumption would be close to real life, but the actual fuel consumption can be affected by a myriad of things, some of which you can control, but some you can't.
4. Those within your control include the inflation pressure of your tyres - setting a little higher than the inflation recommended by the carmaker will improve the economy - the wheel alignment of your car, which should be checked around twice per year, regular servicing and engine tuning, removal of roof racks when not in use as well as anything that adds to the car's weight if it's not necessary.
5. You can also save by planning your driving route to minimise the number of traffic lights you travel through, and use freeways, and avoid hills.
6. When driving use a constant throttle as much as possible, avoid unnecessary accelerations, and anticipate traffic ahead.
7. Consider converting to LPG or buying a diesel model.
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