Ameer Randolph
Improving your car's fuel efficiency is not only good for your wallet but also for the environment. There are several ways to improve fuel efficiency, including driving more efficiently, reducing the weight of your car, and ensuring your car is well-maintained. Driving more efficiently involves techniques such as accelerating gently, maintaining a steady speed, and using cruise control when possible. Removing unnecessary items from your car and ensuring your tires are properly inflated can also help reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, regular car servicing and maintenance are crucial to keeping your car operating efficiently.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driving speed | Most cars are most fuel-efficient when travelling between 50 and 80 km per hour. Driving above this speed range uses more fuel. |
| Acceleration | Aggressive acceleration uses more fuel. Take 5 seconds to accelerate to 20 km/h from a stop. |
| Braking | Avoid using your brakes as much as possible. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and coast to slow down. |
| Cruise control | Using cruise control can improve fuel economy by up to 14%. |
| Tyre pressure | Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel efficiency by up to 10%. Check your tyre pressure regularly. |
| Weight | The heavier the car, the more fuel it uses. Every 50 kg of weight increases fuel consumption by 1-2%. |
| Aerodynamics | Remove roof racks and other items that create drag. Aerodynamic drag can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%. |
| Air conditioning | Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%. Open the windows when driving slowly and use the ventilation system when driving faster. |
| Engine maintenance | Regularly service your car and maintain its mechanical condition to optimise fuel efficiency. |
| Spark plugs | Misfiring spark plugs can cause a sudden drop in gas mileage. Replace them as recommended by the manufacturer. |
| Air filter | A clean air filter ensures smooth engine operation and improves fuel efficiency. |
| Warm-up | Longer trips allow the engine to warm up to its most fuel-efficient temperature. |
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What You'll Learn
Keep tyre pressure optimal
Keeping your tyres at their optimal pressure is an important step in improving your car's fuel efficiency. Underinflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance on the road, which increases fuel consumption. If your tyres are underinflated by 10 psi, your fuel efficiency could be reduced by up to 10%. Poor wheel alignment, or 'tracking', can also cause your tyres to drag instead of rolling freely, reducing fuel efficiency by up to 10%. This can be caused by minor road imperfections, such as potholes, so it's important to keep on top of your tyre pressure and get your car serviced regularly.
You can find the optimal tyre pressure for your car by checking the sticker on your door jamb or in your owner's manual. It's a good idea to check your tyre pressure regularly, especially before long journeys, to improve fuel efficiency and extend the life of your tyres.
In addition to maintaining optimal tyre pressure, you can also improve fuel efficiency by reducing the weight of your wheels. Lightweight rims and LRR (low rolling resistance) tyres can help with efficiency and responsiveness. However, LLR tyres may have worse traction and handling, so it's important to consider the trade-offs when making any modifications to your vehicle.
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Reduce wheel weight
The weight of your wheels can have a significant impact on your car's fuel efficiency. Heavier wheels require more energy to rotate, which means burning more fuel to keep your car moving. Therefore, reducing the weight of your wheels can lead to improved fuel efficiency.
One way to reduce wheel weight is to choose lightweight rims and low rolling resistance (LRR) tires. Lighter rims are made from materials such as alloy, which can be significantly lighter than standard metal wheels. LRR tires are designed to reduce the rolling resistance or friction generated by the tires as they roll on the road. Underinflated tires can increase rolling resistance, leading to higher fuel consumption. By contrast, LRR tires can improve fuel efficiency, especially at higher speeds. However, it is important to note that LRR tires may have slightly worse traction and handling compared to standard tires.
Another way to reduce wheel weight is to remove any unnecessary components, such as hubcaps or wheel covers. While these may enhance the appearance of your wheels, they also add weight. By removing them, you can reduce the overall weight of your wheels, leading to potential improvements in fuel efficiency.
Additionally, you can consider wheel offset when aiming to reduce wheel weight. A positive offset, where the wheels are tucked closer to the body of the car, can reduce turbulence and drag. This type of offset can also improve weight distribution, which is beneficial for handling and overall performance. On the other hand, negative offsets, where the wheels move away from the body of the vehicle, can increase turbulence and drag, negatively impacting fuel efficiency.
It is important to note that while reducing wheel weight can improve fuel efficiency, it may not lead to drastic changes in your car's performance. The impact of wheel weight is more noticeable in city driving, where there are frequent accelerations and decelerations. On the other hand, at constant speeds or highway driving, the impact of weight on fuel efficiency is less significant. Additionally, the cost of modifications such as lightweight rims or LRR tires may outweigh the potential fuel savings, so it is essential to consider your specific vehicle and driving habits when making decisions regarding wheel weight and fuel efficiency.
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Remove roof racks
If you have a roof rack, removing it when not in use can help to improve your car's fuel efficiency. Roof racks create aerodynamic drag, which causes your car to expend more energy and, therefore, fuel. This is true even when the roof rack is unloaded.
One study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that roof racks were responsible for 0.8% of light-duty vehicle fuel consumption, or 100 million gallons of gasoline, in a single year. The study estimated that the fuel consumption penalty of a loaded or unloaded roof rack can be up to 25%. However, Consumer Reports found that the loss from an empty roof rack was between 2% and 11%.
By removing your roof rack when not in use, you can minimize wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. If you regularly use a roof rack, consider selecting one with a sleek and streamlined design, as this will reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, opt for a roof rack that can be easily removed, as this will further improve your car's fuel efficiency.
When driving with a roof rack, you can also improve your fuel efficiency by practicing smooth acceleration and maintaining a steady speed. Driving at high speeds can significantly increase aerodynamic drag, leading to higher fuel consumption. Removing any unnecessary weight from your car can also help to improve fuel efficiency, as a lighter car requires less fuel to accelerate.
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Avoid excessive revving
Revving your car to warm it up is a bad idea as it has not had enough time for the oil to circulate and lubricate all the moving parts. This can cause wear and tear on your engine. A cold engine uses a lot more fuel than a warm one, and it warms up more quickly if it's under load, i.e. driving. If you are in a frosty region, you can use a fan heater inside your car for a few minutes to get the heaters working and defrost your windows. This way, you can avoid revving your engine excessively to warm it up.
Additionally, the harder you accelerate, the more fuel you use. In a city, you can use less fuel by easing onto the accelerator pedal gently. To be as fuel-efficient as possible, take 5 seconds to accelerate your vehicle up to 20 kilometres per hour from a stop. Imagine an open cup of coffee on the dashboard. Don't spill it! When your speed dips and bursts, you use more fuel and spend more money than you need to.
You can also pay attention to the tachometer, which shows engine speed. Use it to know when to shift a manual transmission for the best fuel efficiency. The higher the rpm, the more fuel the engine is burning. So shift through the lower gears smoothly and quickly, and build up speed in the higher gears.
Finally, make small changes when you drive to gain some fuel savings. For example, if you are waiting for something or someone for more than three minutes, turn off your engine. Regular car servicing can also help maintain your engine's fuel efficiency.
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Maintain your car
Maintaining your car is pivotal for optimising fuel efficiency. Here are some tips to help you maintain your car to improve its fuel efficiency:
Firstly, it is important to regularly service your car and keep on top of its maintenance. This includes using appropriate components, fluids, and lubricants. For example, a good high-performance engine oil can help to reduce friction in the engine, combat sludge and improve fuel economy. In addition, poorly maintained engines can result in sludge and corrosion buildup between engine parts, making it difficult for the engine to work smoothly.
Secondly, tyre maintenance is crucial. Underinflated tyres have higher rolling resistance, increasing fuel consumption with every kilometre travelled. Regularly check your tyre pressure, especially before long journeys, to improve fuel efficiency and extend the life of your tyres. In addition, consider reducing the weight of your wheels. Lightweight rims and low rolling resistance (LRR) tyres can improve fuel efficiency and handling. However, LRR tyres have worse traction.
Thirdly, keep your car light. The heavier your car, the more fuel it will use. Remove unnecessary items from your car, such as salt, sand, sports equipment, and unused spare seats. In addition, consider removing roof racks when they are not in use, as they create drag and increase fuel consumption.
Finally, some other maintenance tips include keeping your spark plugs in good condition and ensuring your tyres are aligned and balanced. Spark plugs that are misfiring can cause a sudden drop in gas mileage. Tyre alignment and balance are important to ensure your tyres roll freely and do not drag, improving fuel efficiency and tyre performance.
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