Taking a base case of someone who had not been practicing the above points and then applied the information above consistently, based on average tests you should expect an increase in fuel economy of about 15%.

Putting this into something that most can relate to, if someone spent on average $100 per week or $5,200 per year on petrol, a 15% saving would equal a saving of $780, which may cover a large percentage of the cars insurance cost, registration or even maintenance costs. Of course the saving could be put to use anywhere.

Enjoy your better fuel economy.

Tip 12 Use Momentum and Hills – Coast in Gear, not in Neutral.

Many people coast along while driving, with the view of saving fuel. This idea can be improved, if coasting along while you’re driving, let the car coast in a high gear instead of coasting in neutral. Putting the car in neutral leaves the engine to continue idle by consuming fuel, whereas most cars nowadays will shut off the fuel supply to the engine completely if you coast in gear, saving you fuel while coasting. A great example is coasting in a high gear while going downhill.

Tip 11: Cutting Corners, Cutting Gears

Manual cars already enjoy a slightly better fuel economy than the equivalent car with an automatic gearbox.

There is a technique called block gear changing that can assist drivers of manual cars to further improve fuel consumption. It will require some practice.

Block changing is where you carefully skip gears when changing up through the gears. As an example, you may go from 1st to 3rd to 5th, skipping 2nd and 4th gears.

The key is to make sure that you don’t go too high up in the rev range in the lower gear, or too low down in the upper gear. If you go too high in the lower gear, then excess petrol is consumed for marginal benefit. If you go too low in the higher and the engine will labour and consume more petrol.

With newer cars with 6- and 7-speed boxes, block gear changing is much easier. This technique is commonly used by motorcyclists.

Tip 10: Lighten Up, Weight is Everything

Overloaded to the Extreme

Weight is everything when it comes to fuel economy. Remove unnecessary weight from the car. Every extra kilogram you carry will adversely affect your car’s performance.

Some ideas include, if your car or van has removable seats that you never use, remove them and keep them in the garage.  Don’t carry unnecessary items around in the car or in the boot with you.

For more extreme options, changing car body parts for lighter options will reduce weight and increase your fuel economy. Some examples would be selecting alloy wheels rather than steel wheels or fitting a a carbon fibre bonnet rather than the steel one. However, these are expensive options and they are only likely to save you money in the very long term.

Tip 9: Smother Running Drives Your Longer – New Oil and Oil Filter

A better lubricated engine will drive you further & for longer.

Even though changing your oil and oil filter will not directly lead to any significant improvement in fuel economy, they will assist to keep the engine well lubricated and minimise internal engine friction and resistance. Most car models recommend the oil and oil filter being replaced every service or every second service. Call 13 20 42 for your ACE Mobile Mechanics should your car be due for a service.

Tip 8: Keep The Spark Alive – New Spark Plugs

Spark Plugs Light Up Your Engine

Spark plugs are placed within the engine, delivering spark to the combustion chamber in an environment that is extremely hot and pressured. Over time the spark plugs build up carbon deposits and impurities that reduce their effectiveness and the effectiveness of the engine to produce power.

There are many types of spark plugs, most maintain their performance for 10,000km to 20,000km and should be replaced during a regular service.

Note: there are some premium spark plugs, like platinum spark plugs, that last longer such as up to 100,000km. Call 13 20 42 for your ACE Mobile Mechanics should your car be due for a service.

Tip 7: Ultrasonic Cleaning for your Fuel Injectors

Fuel Injector Spray: Dirty vs Clean

Clean fuel injectors, provide a more even fuel-air mix which results in more predictable and efficient burn in the cylinder and better fuel economy. The top picture show the spray pattern of a dirty fuel injector and the bottom picture shows the full flow spray pattern from a clean injector.

Fuel injectors become dirty, mostly not from dirt or debris in the fuel, but from the fuel itself. Petrol contains waxy compounds that can leave varnish deposits at the injector pintle when the fuel evaporates, tending to be form when after the engine is turned off. Heat from the engine causes residual fuel in the injector tips to evaporate, leaving a varnish deposit. These deposits in the nozzle build up and restrict fuel flow or disrupt the injector’s spray pattern. On many late-model engines, the shape and direction of the spray pattern is critical for clean combustion and good performance. If the injector nozzle is dirty, the pattern may be distorted or deflected to one side, causing a lean spot in the combustion chamber that can cause misfire, or even pre-ignition or detonation.

It doesn’t take much of a restriction in an injector to lean out the fuel mixture. Only an 8% to 10% restriction in a single fuel injector can be enough to upset the air/fuel mixture and cause a misfire.

The fuel injectors can be cleaned on an inline basis (on car) or better still by having them removed and given and ultrasonic bath. If your injectors have performed close to or over 100,000 km without being thoroughly cleaned, your fuel economy will certainly improve once serviced and cleaned, translating into direct savings.  Call 13 20 42 for your ACE Mobile Mechanics should your fuel injectors are due for a clean and service.

Tip 6: Breathe Easier and Drive Further

Clean air filter allows your car to breathe easier and save fuel.

Hidden away, usually within a plastic mounted box is your car’s air filter. It filters and cleans the air that the car’s engine uses for combustion, protecting your engine from dirt, dust, particles and other imperfections in the air.

Over time the air filter will collect these imperfections, and this build up will lead to resistance of airflow and hence a reduction in the amount of airflow through to the engine. To compensate for the reduced airflow, the engine management system will make the mixture richer, using more petrol to keep the engine running smoothly.

Replacing the air filter regularly will improve the car’s fuel economy. Most car models recommend the air filter being replaced every service or every second service. Call 13 20 42 for your ACE Mobile Mechanics should your car be due for a service.

Tip 5: Reduce Air Resistance – Ditch Roof Rack, Bike Racks, Ski Racks and Roof Boxes

Make your car more aerodynamic to save fuel.

Air resistance causes aerodynamic drag, requiring more energy and hence fuel to be consumed to be overcome. Roof racks, bike racks, ski racks and roof boxes are practical when used, however should be removed when not in use.

Usually, regardless of how aerodynamic they may look, they add drag and decrease your fuel economy. You will be rewarded with better fuel economy for taking a little bit of time and effort to remove these additions from the car.

Tip 4: Tyres to Drive You Further

Correct Tyre Pressures reduce rolling resistance and tyre wear.

The first thing is to check your tyre pressures. It is simple and easy, and should be part of a regular routine such as once a week. It could be done as frequently as every time you fill your petrol tank or every second or third time.

Low pressure in the vehicle’s tyres will increase the rolling resistance of the tyre against the road surface, increasing the amount of energy the engine must produce to overcome the resistance. Check the manufacturer recommended levels and ensure your tyre pressures are maintained to this level as a minimum.

In addition to the inflation level of the tyre, there are tyres that are designed for low levels of rolling resistance. Tyre manufacturers are able to achieve this through a mixture of the design and material of the tyre. This is becoming more and more common feature and is proven to have a positive impact on fuel economy.