How to save on fuel and other costs and help the environment
1) Do weekly checks and have car serviced at regular intervals
2) Check tyre pressures – a difference of 4psi overall can increase fuel consumption by 2%
3) Remove unnecessary clutter from car – 45kg extra can use 2% more fuel. Roof-racks and boxes increase fuel 10%!!
4) Use windows for air below 80kmh, air-con over 80kmh
5) Plan journeys to allow for road, weather and traffic – leave earlier (or later) to avoid delay. If in heavy traffic jam, turn off engine while stationary.
6) Look further ahead and anticipate the actions of other drivers and react accordingly. This encourages smooth progressive changes of speed, reducing unnecessary “revving” which burns fuel and wear and tear on brake pads, lines and discs.
7) Always choose the correct gear for the speed – listen to your engine and feel accelerator response (2000 revs approx). Being too low or high a gear increases fuel use and wears our engine.
8) Slow down – fuel consumption increases by 15% for every 10km/hr over 80km/hr.
9) Do not “ride” the clutch or “coast”. On gradients, use parking brake rather than hold car on biting point for more than 3 secs.
10) Consider a newer and smaller cc car – modern 1 litre cars are more powerful and fuel efficient than before. You also save Motor tax, insurance and repairs. Consider cars with Stop/start, hybrid, electric technology.
