Mercedes Mullins
Improving your car's fuel efficiency is beneficial for both the environment and your wallet. While there are fuel-saving devices on the market, they are not effective. However, there are several ways to make your car lighter on fuel. Firstly, you can reduce drag and wind resistance by removing roof boxes and bike racks. Secondly, you can improve your driving habits by reducing speeding, quick acceleration, and heavy braking. Thirdly, you can ensure your car is well-maintained, including keeping your tires properly inflated and changing your spark plugs and air filter regularly. Lastly, you can reduce the weight of your car by removing unnecessary items from your boot and even go as far as removing spare seats and other non-essential items.
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What You'll Learn
Maintain correct tyre pressure
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is one of the most important factors in improving your car's fuel economy. Underinflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance on the road, which means that with every kilometre travelled, your tyres generate more friction and rolling resistance, increasing fuel consumption. If all your tyres are underinflated by 10 psi, your fuel efficiency could be reduced by up to 10%.
To ensure your tyres are properly inflated, use an air pressure gauge to check the pressure every month, preferably in the morning before the vehicle is used. The recommended tyre pressures can usually be found in the vehicle owner's manual and on the driver-side door. By keeping your tyres inflated to the recommended pressure, you can improve your car's fuel economy and save money on fuel costs.
In addition to maintaining proper tyre pressure, it is also important to consider the fuel efficiency rating of your tyres. The European Commission classifies tyres from A to G based on their fuel efficiency, with A-rated tyres offering the best fuel economy. Choosing tyres with enhanced formulas designed to improve gas mileage and extend tyre life can also help maximise your fuel efficiency.
By combining proper tyre pressure maintenance with the selection of fuel-efficient tyres, you can significantly improve your car's fuel economy and reduce both your fuel costs and your environmental impact. Remember to check your tyre pressure regularly and adjust it as needed to ensure optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
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Remove unnecessary weight
One of the most effective ways to make your car lighter on fuel is to remove unnecessary weight. This can significantly improve fuel efficiency and reduce your fuel costs. Here are some ways to do this:
Firstly, it is important to keep your boot or trunk as clear as possible. Every extra 50 kg increases fuel consumption by 2%. So, remove any items that you do not need for your journey. This could include golf clubs, gym equipment, or boxes that you may be storing in your car.
Secondly, consider removing any unnecessary items from your car's interior. This could include child seats, spare parts, or tools that you may be keeping in the back seat or passenger seat. If you have a roof box or bike rack, removing it can also help improve fuel efficiency as it affects the car's aerodynamics.
In addition to the larger items, small items can also add up in weight. This could include old water bottles, extra coats, or other items that may be lying around in your car. Removing these can help reduce the overall weight of your vehicle.
If you are comfortable with more extreme measures, you can consider removing spare seats, sound insulation, or even the air conditioning system. These modifications can provide significant weight reduction but may impact the comfort and functionality of your vehicle.
By removing unnecessary weight from your car, you can improve its fuel efficiency and reduce your fuel costs. Remember to always prioritize safety and ensure that any modifications made to your vehicle are legal and do not compromise its roadworthiness.
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Avoid high RPM
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) is a measure of how fast your engine operates. It indicates how many times the crankshaft makes one complete rotation and how many pistons go up and down each minute. While it's normal for RPM to fluctuate, a consistently high RPM can indicate that your engine is working harder and burning more fuel. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Airflow interruption in the intake manifold of the exhaust system, causing a hissing sound, power loss, stalling, and poor fuel economy.
- Faulty spark plugs, which can lead to improper combustion, making the engine work harder and burn more fuel.
- A vacuum leak in the engine, which can throw off airflow and impact the function of your engine and exhaust system.
- A faulty throttle position sensor (TPS), which can cause sudden idle surges, bucking, jerking, and a dip in fuel economy.
- A faulty idle air control valve (IAC), which is meant to control airflow when you're idling. Wear and tear on this component can lead to higher RPMs.
- A transmission leak, which can cause the torque converter or gearbox band to slip, resulting in higher RPMs.
- An issue with the powertrain control module, causing the idle speed to be misread and leading to higher RPMs.
- Low engine oil or coolant levels, which can cause the engine to overheat and run at a higher RPM.
To avoid high RPM and improve fuel efficiency, you can take the following steps:
- Ensure your spark plugs, throttle position sensor, and fuses are in good condition and replace them if necessary.
- Check for any leaks in the engine or transmission system and address them promptly.
- Maintain adequate engine oil and coolant levels to prevent overheating.
- Keep a constant speed when driving and avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration, which can increase RPM and fuel consumption.
- Utilise cruise control if you're driving an automatic car, or maintain a higher gear when appropriate if you're driving a manual car.
- Plan your route to avoid stop-start traffic, which puts pressure on your engine and burns more fuel.
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Service your car regularly
Servicing your car regularly is an important step in maintaining your engine's fuel efficiency. When you service your car, a mechanic will be able to identify any issues that may be causing increased fuel consumption and address them. Here are some specific reasons why regular servicing is key to improving fuel efficiency:
Engine maintenance: Engine parts work closely together, and if they are not well-maintained, sludge and corrosion will build up between them. This makes it harder for the engine to run smoothly, reducing fuel efficiency. Regular servicing involves cleaning or replacing these parts, ensuring your engine can run optimally.
Oil changes: High-performance engine oils can help to reduce friction in the engine, combat sludge, and improve fuel economy. Changing your oil regularly as part of your car's service helps to maintain optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Spark plugs: Spark plugs play a critical role in powering your vehicle by igniting the air/fuel mixture in the engine combustion chambers. Over time, spark plugs can become worn or dirty, leading to reduced engine performance and lower fuel efficiency. Regular servicing includes inspecting and replacing spark plugs as needed, ensuring optimal ignition and fuel efficiency.
Air filters: Dirty air filters, particularly in older vehicles, can negatively impact fuel economy. Servicing your car includes checking and replacing air filters, helping to maintain optimal airflow and fuel efficiency.
Mass airflow sensors: These sensors are responsible for measuring the airflow entering the engine and play a crucial role in regulating fuel injection. While they don't fail often, they can get dirty and impact fuel efficiency. Regular servicing can help identify any issues with the mass airflow sensor, ensuring it functions properly to maintain fuel efficiency.
By following the manufacturer's recommended service intervals and addressing any necessary repairs or replacements, you can help keep your car running efficiently and economically.
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Don't idle for too long
Idling your car for too long can have several negative consequences. Firstly, it can increase fuel consumption and emissions. Even if your car is stationary, a running engine uses fuel, and the longer it runs, the more fuel it consumes. This not only increases your fuel costs but also harms the environment by releasing harmful fumes and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Secondly, idling can cause premature wear and tear on your engine. When an engine is idling, it takes longer to reach its operating temperature. As a result, the unburned and unevaporated gasoline can degrade the engine's lubricating motor oil, which is crucial for protecting components such as cylinders, cylinder walls, and pistons. This leads to increased wear and tear on these vital engine parts.
Additionally, idling can affect the battery life of your car. When the engine is idling, it doesn't fully charge the battery, which can create additional stress on the battery over time and shorten its lifespan.
Idling can also pose health risks to you and those around you. Idling engines release carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly in enclosed spaces. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can be harmful or even fatal.
Furthermore, idling your car for extended periods can make it a target for auto theft, especially if left unattended. This can result in the loss of your vehicle and potentially put your personal safety at risk.
To summarize, it is best to avoid letting your car idle for too long. Doing so will help you save fuel, reduce emissions, prolong engine life, maintain battery health, mitigate health risks, and decrease the chances of auto theft.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to improve your car's fuel efficiency. Firstly, avoid quick acceleration and heavy braking, and try to maintain a constant speed by using cruise control. Secondly, ensure your tires are properly inflated to reduce rolling resistance. Thirdly, reduce drag by removing roof boxes or bike racks, and avoid driving with the windows down at high speeds. Fourthly, minimise idling by turning off your engine when you're not moving. Finally, keep your car well-maintained, including regular oil changes and spark plug replacements.
Yes, speeding up and slowing down increases fuel consumption. Driving above the speed limit at 80 mph instead of 70 mph increases fuel consumption by 25%. Maintaining a constant, slower speed will help improve your car's fuel efficiency.
Yes, the weight of your car can impact fuel consumption. Every extra 50 kg increases fuel consumption by 2%. To make your car lighter, remove any unnecessary items from your boot and consider weight reduction modifications such as removing spare seats, sound insulation, or the air conditioning system.
Yes, regular servicing and maintenance are essential to keep your car running efficiently. Poor maintenance can lead to sludge and corrosion build-up, making it difficult for the engine to work smoothly. Engine oil helps reduce friction and improve fuel economy, so it's important to use a high-performance engine oil and change it regularly.
There are several car parts that contribute to fuel efficiency. The mass airflow sensor measures the airflow entering the engine and regulates fuel injection. Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture and can improve fuel efficiency when replaced with a fresh set. The air filter can also impact fuel economy, especially in older vehicles, so it's important to keep it clean or replace it if necessary.
