Regan Brown
There are many ways to make a car more fuel-efficient. The best way to reduce fuel consumption is to drive less, but there are other ways to save fuel without cutting down on driving. For example, removing items such as salt, sand, and sports equipment from your vehicle will reduce weight and therefore fuel consumption. Other ways to save fuel include keeping to the speed limit, accelerating gently, and turning off your engine when stopped for more than 60 seconds.
How to make a car use less fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driving less | Walk or bike to your destination, join a carpool, or work from home |
| Maintaining a steady speed | Avoid accelerating and braking frequently |
| Driving within the speed limit | Most cars are most fuel-efficient when travelling between 50 and 80 km/h |
| Reducing drag | Remove unnecessary items from the car, and take off racks when not in use |
| Using the correct gear | Shift gears smoothly and quickly, and use higher gears whenever possible |
| Maintaining proper tire pressure | Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 4% |
| Turning off the engine | When stopped for more than 60 seconds, turn off the engine |
| Using air conditioning sparingly | Open windows when driving in the city, and use the flow-through ventilation system on the highway |
| Servicing the car regularly | Regular servicing helps maintain the engine's fuel efficiency and reduces sludge and corrosion |
| Using engine oil | High-performance engine oil can reduce friction, combat sludge, and improve fuel economy |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce weight and drag
The weight of your car and the drag it experiences are two major factors that influence how much fuel it consumes. Here are some ways to reduce weight and drag to make your car more fuel-efficient:
Reduce Weight
One of the simplest ways to reduce weight is to remove unnecessary items from your car. Take out things like sports equipment, sand, or salt that may be adding extra weight. The less weight your car carries, the less fuel it will consume. For instance, the fuel consumption of a mid-size car increases by about 1% for every 25 kilograms of weight. So, lightening your load can lead to significant fuel savings over time.
It is also important to maintain proper tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 4%. Check your tire pressure regularly and ensure it meets the recommended level specified by the manufacturer. This information can usually be found on the tire information placard, often located on the driver's door or doorpost.
Reduce Drag
Streamline your vehicle by removing roof racks or cargo boxes when not in use. These accessories can increase aerodynamic drag, leading to higher fuel consumption, especially on highways. Aim to keep your car as sleek and streamlined as possible to reduce air resistance.
Another factor affecting drag is the use of air conditioning. Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%. Whenever possible, open the windows when driving in the city, or use the flow-through ventilation system on the highway. If you must use air conditioning, do so only when driving at higher speeds, and consider using the re-circulate option to minimize its impact on fuel efficiency.
By implementing these weight and drag reduction strategies, you can significantly improve your car's fuel efficiency and, at the same time, reduce your fuel costs and environmental impact.
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Turn off the engine when stopped
Turning off your engine when you are stopped for more than 60 seconds is a great way to save fuel. Idling uses a significant amount of fuel—a vehicle with a 3-litre engine, for example, wastes 300 millilitres of fuel for every 10 minutes it is left running. This is also dependent on the engine speed, which you can monitor using the tachometer.
There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Turning off your engine when stopped is not recommended when stuck in traffic. In heavy traffic, it is better to keep your engine running than to turn it off and back on repeatedly.
Another thing to keep in mind is that restarting your engine uses a small amount of fuel. If you are only stopping briefly, it may be more efficient to simply keep your engine running.
Additionally, turning off your engine can also depend on the type of vehicle you have. Some modern vehicles are equipped with start-stop technology, which automatically turns off the engine when the car is not in motion. This feature helps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
By following these guidelines and being mindful of when to turn off your engine, you can significantly reduce your fuel consumption and save money on fuel costs.
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Avoid high speeds
Driving at high speeds can cause your vehicle's fuel consumption to soar. Most cars, vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs are most fuel-efficient when travelling between 50 and 80 km per hour. Above this speed zone, vehicles burn more and more fuel the faster they go. For example, at 120 km per hour, a vehicle uses about 20% more fuel than at 100 km per hour. On a 25-km trip, this spike in speed and fuel consumption would only cut two minutes from your travel time.
To avoid high speeds, it is important to look ahead while driving and keep a comfortable distance from the vehicle in front of you. By paying close attention to what other drivers and pedestrians are doing and predicting their next moves, you can maintain a steady speed and use less fuel. Keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you will also help you avoid sudden braking, which wastes your forward momentum and increases fuel consumption.
Additionally, when accelerating, do so gently. Flooring the gas pedal to increase your speed quickly will burn more fuel and wear your tires down. Instead, accelerate slowly so that your car only uses the fuel it needs to reach cruising speed. When driving uphill, use the highest gear that can accelerate smoothly without struggling to avoid putting strain on the engine.
Remember, driving at high speeds not only increases your fuel costs but also poses safety risks. By adhering to speed limits and driving at moderate speeds, you can save fuel, reduce emissions, and improve your overall driving experience.
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Use the right gear
Using the right gear is essential for reducing fuel consumption. Here are some tips to help you do that:
Firstly, it is important to note that higher gears are generally more fuel-efficient. When driving, aim to use the highest possible gear without causing the car's engine to struggle. This is because lower gears require the engine to work harder, which increases fuel consumption. For example, driving at 60 km/h in third gear uses 25% more fuel than driving in fifth gear. Thus, it is advisable to shift through the lower gears smoothly and quickly and build up speed in the higher gears.
When driving uphill, it is more fuel-efficient to use a high gear that can accelerate smoothly without causing the car to struggle. Using a low gear on an incline will rev higher and require more throttle, resulting in increased fuel consumption. However, it is important to note that gear ratios differ between vehicles, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
When driving downhill, it is generally more fuel-efficient to keep your car in gear rather than shifting to neutral. Modern cars are often equipped with a Deceleration Fuel Cut-Off (DFCO) system, which cuts the fuel flow to the engine when the gas pedal is not depressed and the car is in gear. By staying in gear, you utilise gravity to run the engine instead of fuel. Additionally, engine-braking is activated in gear, saving wear on your brakes.
To further improve fuel efficiency, ensure your car is properly maintained. Regular servicing helps to maintain engine fuel efficiency by reducing sludge and corrosion build-up. Check your tire pressure at least once a month, as under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption. Additionally, remove any unnecessary items from your vehicle, as extra weight can decrease fuel economy.
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Keep tyres inflated
Keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure is one of the most important things you can do to make your car use less fuel. Under-inflated tyres can lower your gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1-psi drop in average pressure across all tyres. This can increase fuel consumption by up to 4% and reduce the life of your tyres by more than 10,000 kilometres.
The proper tyre pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box, and in your owner's manual. It's important not to use the maximum pressure printed on the tyre's sidewall. You can also find the right tyre pressure for your vehicle on the tyre information placard, usually on the edge of the driver's door or doorpost.
While over-inflating your tyres may lead to a minor improvement in fuel efficiency, it's not recommended due to safety concerns. If your tyres have too much air, they could burst unexpectedly from the extra pressure, causing you to spin out or experience other issues on the road.
In addition to saving fuel, keeping your tyres inflated will also make your tyres last longer and improve your safety on the road.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to make your car more fuel-efficient. Firstly, the best way to reduce fuel consumption is to drive less. Consider walking, biking, carpooling, or working from home instead. If you are driving, try to keep a steady speed and avoid accelerating and braking all the time. You can do this by looking ahead and keeping a comfortable distance from the vehicle in front of you. You can also reduce fuel consumption by removing unnecessary items from your car, such as salt, sand, or sports equipment, as a lighter vehicle uses less fuel.
When starting your car, begin in first gear and shift up to second gear once the engine is turning over. From there, shift into third gear at 30 km/h, fourth gear at 40 km/h, fifth gear at 50 km/h, and sixth gear, if available, at 60 km/h. Driving at a higher gear will reduce fuel consumption, so use the highest gear possible without straining the engine. Additionally, accelerate gently and gradually brake when needed to avoid wasting fuel.
Regular car servicing can help maintain your engine's fuel efficiency. Over time, sludge and corrosion can build up between engine parts, making it difficult for the engine to run smoothly. Using a high-performance engine oil can help reduce friction, combat sludge, and improve fuel economy. Keeping your tires properly inflated can also make a difference, as under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption and reduce the life of your tires.
