12 Tips to Better Fuel Economy

Tip 3: Cheaper Petrol Stations – Use the Internet

Search engines and fuel pricing websites are great for sharing where to go to fill up.

Another way to be more cost effective in managing your fuel costs and save money, is to make yourself aware of the locations of lower cost petrol stations. There is likely to be one or more internet sites that can provide information on petrol prices within your local or travelled area.

As petrol is a commodity product, it will usually be a standard quality across stations, however staying with the major brands will minimise any risk. Use your favourite search engine to find an information source suitable for you. There are also sites that can send you price information regularly.

Other options include using discount vouchers or discount cards, with many major outlets providing discounts for using certain credit or debit cards at their outlets.

12 Tips to Better Fuel Economy

Tip 2: Choice of Fuel – Octane Level of Petrol

Petrol Pumps

In recent years, motorists have been provided more options for various octane levels in petrol. If you are after fuel economy and managing your vehicle costs, choosing regular fuel would be better for your pocket as long as higher levels of octane are not “needed’ by your car.

If have a high-compression engine which could be at risk of detonation (pinging), your car should not need high-octane petrol. Higher-octane petrol decreases the risk of detonation (pinging).

If the car’s owner’s manual states that it can take regular unleaded petrol then you’ll save your money by sticking to this. Some cars (particularly European cars) require a higher octane fuel to operate correctly. You should check with your cars handbook to verify this.

In high-performance cars with high-compression engines higher-octane petrol will enable the engine management system to work at peak efficiency.

12 Tips to Better Fuel Economy:

Tip 1- Acceleration and Speed – Controlling Your Right Foot

Speed at a Price: Save Time or Save Money

This may be the simplest and most effective tip for getting better fuel economy. If you accelerate rapidly you will use more petrol than if you accelerate slowly. That means that your fuel economy will go down.

Due to wind resistance, cars are much more efficient when driving at around 75 km/hr than they are above 100km/hr.

There may be a difference of 15% or more in your fuel economy between travelling at 75 km/hr and 110 km/hr. As the car’s speed increases, friction (due to air resistance) consumes more power output and hence more fuel.

When travelling on freeways, maintain a constant speed and try to brake less if possible.

When approaching red traffic lights or places where you need to stop, don’t race up to then and then suddenly stop. It is better to safely moderate speed on such approaches and improves your fuel economy. If the lights change from red to green and traffic ahead moves along, that will help if you are able to move with the traffic without stopping. Accelerating from a stationary position consumes more fuels that from a forward moving position. This technique will improve your fuel economy.