Today when we see fuel price hike almost each month, improving mileage of our vehicle is the best way to save our pocket.
Fuel efficiency and mileage are the most important considerations which we keep in mind while buying a new ride. Fuel efficiency is the fuel consumed per unit distance travelled. It is measured by filling the fuel tank with some known amount of fuel and then measuring the distance it travelled in the given amount of fuel.
Here I am suggesting some ways to increase fuel efficiency and improve mileage that will cut your trips to the refilling centre for sure.
10. REGULAR MAINTENANCE:
It can save your fuel cost up to 13%. A regular check of your vehicle is very much needed as prescribed in every user’s manual. Vehicle must get regular service. Since a well serviced engine consumes less fuel so one must not ignore the schedule. Air filters, oil-filters, radiators, tyre air-pressure e.t.c. must be maintained and checked regularly. Most of people have leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness but that will not help you any way so try to maintain a habit of giving time for your ride once in a week. Regular maintenance of any machine is required, same is the case with your engine.
9. AVOID EXCESSIVE IDLING:
I think this is the main reason why people often have to go to refilling centres. Keeping your car idle while engine is ON, while caught in traffic jam or waiting for someone or using cell phones wastes significant amount of fuel since, engine is consuming fuel continuously while car is going nowhere. To warm up the engine what one can practice is, slowly drive car for sometime until it acquires a optimal temperature. I would suggest to avoid this habit, since you waste your fuel and at the same time the exhaust coming out of car is polluting the environment.
8. DO NOT CARRY HEAVY LOAD:
Why to carry things which I am not going to use anyway in my journey? Vehicle weight play an important role in deciding the fuel efficiency. A car with heavy load consumes extra fuel since more power is required to run the car. Since heavier the car, greater will be the thirst of the engine. Any common man can understand this, that heavier the object more power is required to move it. Here I would suggest you to remove roof-top carriers, hood decorators, unnecessary baggage, garbage which you never thought of throwing out of your car, spare tyre and all stuff which you really do not need in your car.
7. PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Driving your car in a city or somewhere you have never been will ultimately slow down your speed which will increase fuel consumption of your engine. Try to choose the way with less number of stops and turns and/or least traffic. A highway must be preferred over small street roads or rickety roads. Plan a route before leaving, avoid driving in rush hours since that may make you wait in traffic jam.
6. AVOID EXCESSIVE BRAKING:
For enhancing the mileage of your car, your drive must be as smooth as possible. The engine consumes less fuel while running at constant speed than braking after accelerating. Braking enhance the energy consumption of car. One must treat the accelerator and pedals with some respect. No doubt accelerating to high speed and braking might be more fun but that will not help you increase the mileage of your car.
5. CHOOSE FUEL WISELY:
For better fuel efficiency and mileage one must use high grade fuel. Petrol pump owners fool people by mixing kerosene e.t.c in fuel. Also they cheat us by not filling the exact amount of fuel. This might have happened with most of you. So be careful while filling your tanks. Also one must change the fuel at regular intervals of time as prescribed in user’s manual provided by your vehicle manufacturer. This is a good practice and is always recommended by fuel experts. Extending the period of fuel change may harm the life of your engine. Always remember to check the meter before they start filling your tank; it must be at zero reading and always ask for better quality fuel. Initially you may think you are paying few more bucks but believe me poor quality fuel or fuel mixed with some other components slowly but surely kills the engine of your vehicle.
4. MIND THE GEAR RATIO:
Gear ratio or gear is very important aspect which must be kept in mind to increase fuel efficiency and mileage . While accelerating, engine consumes more fuel when running on lower gears. It is recommended to shift to highest gear possible without engine knocking. If you often take highways, it will be better in order to improve mileage, that you go with low gear ratio (i.e. higher gear) if you are not carrying any load. But be careful while switching gears since for smaller engines, going with too high ratio may damage your engine as in that case it will be working too hard to keep up. Drive in higher gear as much as possible. This is something what people learn with experience.
3. SLOW DOWN WHEN NEEDED:
Speed is important factor in determining the fuel efficiency. Engine will consume more fuel at higher speeds. Because faster you are trying to move your car, harder work has to be done by the engine, more will be the fuel it will be consuming. Fuel economy decreases rapidly at speeds higher than 65 mph. Many factors come into picture while trying to attain higher speed e.g: air resistance, dead weight in car, road you are driving on e.t.c. Reducing speed is the best way to reduce fuel consumption.
2. KEEP CORRECT TYRE PRESSURE:
Driving with under inflated tyres or tyres with reduced pressure is commonly ignored by masses, which ultimately affects the fuel efficiency. Properly inflated tyres reduce fuel consumption by 3%. Tyres lose pressure with time and due to temperature. In winters, air pressure decreases due to thermal contraction and in summers, it increases due to thermal expansion. So always fill tubes keeping weather in mind. Reduced tyre pressure increases contact area between tyre and road which increases rolling friction thus resulting in more power requirement to accelerate the car. Though over inflated tyre will consume less fuel but at the cost of grip and safety and vehicle may skid on wet road. Optimal tyre pressure makes huge difference to fuel’s efficiency. Make sure that tyres are properly inflated at recommended levels. Keep a regular check at least once in a week, especially in the morning.
1. ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY:
Respect your ride! Aggressive start and aggressive drive may cost you the mileage of your vehicles. Avoid being a SPEED-MASTER. Vehicles consume more fuel at speeds higher that 55 mph. Driving at a speed lower than 75 mph will save fuel cost up to 13%. You can save up to 22% keeping your speed below 65 mph. Driving at optimal speed will increase fuel efficiency. Your engine is the most efficient at moderately high air flow and at revolution per minute (R.PM) up to its peak power. Mind gear shifting to maintain optimal speed. You can accelerate up to 35-40 mph in 1st gear and 2nd, then skip 3rd and directly move to 4th and 5th (if your vehicle supports) skipping the 3rd. This is supposed to be a good practice. Be nice to your vehicle do not just throw your feet on accelerator rudely. Drive smooth handle the gear, accelerator, pedal and even steering wheel, this will not only increase engine’s life but also improves mileage.
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