Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
A Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport.

Ford Motors has recently announced that it will launch the world's most fuel efficient car. The head of the American auto giant said the rising fuel price worldwide has motivated them to focus on reducing fuel consumption.

Ford is right because these days no consumer wants to drive a car that is big on fuel gulping.

Ford's ultra-frugal four-wheeler will be offered in convenient options of diesel as well as petrol and will be made available internationally by 2014.

Until then what can we do? Or what remedy is presently at hand for our petrol car owners?

Answer: Make some amends in your driving style by following some constructive tips, in order to lessen your frequent trips to petrol pumps plus reduce maintenance-cost of your vehicle.

Moreover, the hike of Rs 7.54/litre (now cut short by Rs 2) in the current petrol price is not one of the easy jolts to absorb.

The listed fuel saving guidelines has been beneficial for many people over the years, which can also prove to be favourable for us in the long run.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Petrol prices are increasing everywhere.

1. Monitor speed

Driving slow, between 40 kph to 60kmph, can improve the fuel efficiency by 10 per cent whether you drive in the city or the highways.

If your car has got cruise control function it will assist you in getting constant speeds on the highways resulting in increase of mileage.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Many are looking at ways to cut fuel consumption.

2. Check tyre pressure

The car will lack drag capabilities, ending up in guzzling up more petrol if the tyre pressures is not accurate. Get them checked at least once in a month.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Cut use of air conditioners.

3. Reduce air conditioner use

The cooling system in your car eats up about 10 per cent extra fuel, when operating at lesser speeds. On the other hand, independent studies confirm that at high speeds of over 80 kmph, use of air conditioning is better for fuel economy than an open window.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Keep car in perfect condition.

4. Check air filter

The lack of air flow into the engine results due to dirty air filter that is one of the prime reasons for low efficiency and performance numbers hence need to checked and if required should be replaced.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Go for smooth acceleration everytime.

5. Go fast with care

Avoid quick accelerating in the beginning and hard braking at speeds. This hard-line driving can be unsafe for environment and less sensible for your pocket.

The car should always get gradual and smooth acceleration everytime.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Limit drag.

6. Limit drag aerodynamically

open windows at high speeds is not advisable, as it acts as an unnecessary drag for the engine increasing air resistance and ending up with bad mileage figures.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Keep it light.

7. Make car shed weight

The very basic reality, the lesser load, the maximum mileage. Keep your car away from excessive weight as on an average, two per cent fuel is consumed on every 50kg added load in your car.

So remove things like ski-rack (when not in use) or any bulky object in the cargo/storage area..

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Don't let engine run idle.

8. Don't let engine run idle

Switch off the engine, if the idle time is above 30 seconds to 60 seconds. As it burns more fuel in idling than restarting of engine. Here the fuel wastage can be controlled quite easily.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Drive in highest gear.

9. Drive in highest gear

You should drive in possibly the highest gear, as driving in very low gear will waste decent amount of fuel. To maintain low revs you should change gear as soon as you reach near 2500rpm.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Service car frequently.

10. Service car frequently

An unhealthy engine can use nearly 50 percent more fuel, against well-kept and regularly tuned engine together with less emission too. Apart from low economy, it can get stuck up anywhere in the mid way with some or the other issue.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST

11. Use thinner tyres

Broader tyres surely enhance handling, but down factor is that it increases the fuel utilisation also. So go for thinner tyres if possible, as high width tyres means more rolling resistance.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
The air-con sips lot of energy from the engine.

12. Park in shade

The air-con sips lot of energy from the engine, so need to act smart and let the power-train work with ease by parking it in shade. Moreover, you can go for windshield shades to maintain lower temperatures inside.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST

13. Go for motorcycle or electric scooter

If you are individual and no family around at one point, you can do some eco-friendly thing by commuting on an electronic scooter or motorcycle.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST

14. Combine daily tasks

Plan you trips at a single (efficient) go, in a straight drive manner. Try doing banking, shopping and other daily routine works at one go in order to avoid driving any extra mile.

Whenever possible, stay away from driving at peak hours.

Click NEXT to read more...

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.

How to save car fuel: 15 tips

Last updated on: June 18, 2012 08:16 IST
Drive less or do not drive.

15. Drive less or don't drive

Finally, this is the most fuel efficient way to save fuel. You can walk, ride a bicycle or take public transportation on every possible occasion and stay fit and healthy.

Powered by . Search, Compare, Ask Questions and Read Expert Reviews on all the cars in India at the hottest car portal CarKhabri.