Simple tips to improve the fuel efficiency of your car
In today’s day of rising fuel prices, it is important to understand ways to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Below are some techniques through which you can improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
Air filter
For a car to be fuel-efficient, the air filter must be clean and clear of dust and debris. A normal engine burns about 14,700gram of air in a liter of petrol. Looking at the market, you can find a variety of air filters. It is important to look at the air filament, that is the paper or cardboard that makes the air filter. It cannot be very light. If it is too light, the dust particles will travel into the engine with air, and burn, effecting the fuel efficiency negatively. Hence the air filter must be clean and of good quality.
Engine oil
Information on the type of engine oil recommended by a car can be found in a variety of places such as the owner’s manual, repair manual, on the radiator, on top of the bonnet or on the cap where the oil is poured in.
If the oil is not clean and or lacks quality, the engine will have to work harder to burn the oil, and this will increase fuel consumption. When the engine works harder to burn oil, the temperature of the car also rises.
Car tyres
Tyre pressure plays an integral role in fuel efficiency. It is important to maintain the tyre pressure recommended by manufacturers. Standard tyre pressure is written inside the B pillar. This is the central pillar of the car. The sticker is located on the driver’s side, where the door and pillar meet when it is closed. In imported cars, the tyre pressure is often written inside the fuel cap.
If the tyre pressure is less, it will be difficult for the tyre to get a grip on the road. If the grip is not steady, the engine will have to work harder, increasing fuel consumption
The load carried by car
It is best to avoid unnecessary load in the car. The more weight the car has to carry, the more work the engine must do, which means more fuel consumption.
The point of the aerodynamic shape of a car is to reduce the drag caused by air. If there is luggage on the roof of the car, it will cause air resistance. This will strain the engine and lead to higher consumption of fuel.
If the weather is nice, it is recommended that you roll down the windows of the car. This will reduce air resistance greatly.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs should be changed in a timely manner. If the spark plugs are faulty, old or worn out, it will reduce the amount of fuel that the engine is burning. The unburnt fuel will escape through the silencer which will result in greater fuel consumption.
It is pertinent to note that Spark plugs are not adjustable. Since spark plugs are very expensive in the local auto market, mechanics try to make the most out of the already fitted spark plugs by adjusting them with the filler gauge.
AC Usage
If the AC is on, that means the compressor is running, which means fuel is being consumed. If the weather is good, then it would be better not to use the AC as it will save your fuel.
Engine braking
If the car is going at the third or fourth gear, it is better to lower the speed of the vehicle by changing the gear to a lower one, rather than using car brakes. This will smoothly reduce the car’s speed and load. Brakes consume fuel, so frequent use of brakes can be detrimental to fuel efficiency.
That’s it from our side, drop your thoughts in the comments section below.
