Car reviews

Ten tips to save fuel

Fuel prices have seen three increases in the past few months and has reached a new record price of R15.79 a litre on the Highveld. With the sluggish economy, high interest rates and VAT now at 15 percent, all indications are that inflation will continue its upward spiral, meaning all South Africans, rich and poor, are going to feel the pinch.

So, what can the ordinary, cashstrapped motorist do to alleviate the mild stroke experienced each time he pulls into the garage forecourt?

Whether you drive an econobox or a gargantuan SUV, follow these 10 tips and you will definitely see consumption decrease, giving more kilometres to the litre.

1. Skimping on regular services is false economy:

A car that is not serviced according to the manufacturer’s specifications is going to be sluggish and will use unnecessary fuel. A wellserviced car runs efficiently and will lower running costs, so don’t skip or skimp on the regular service interval.

2. Get down on your knees and… check your tyre pressure regularly:

‘Regularly’ means at least each time you refuel. Don’t just rely on the garage’s tyre pressure gauges which are almost always inaccurate. Buy a quality gauge and check the pressure yourself, at least weekly and while the tyres are cold. Tyres lose pressure as a norm, leading to under-inflation which increases the rolling resistance and causes an increase in fuel consumption because the engine has to work harder.

3. Remove the pedal from the metal:

First-gear acceleration uses the most fuel and doing so harshly means you’re burning unnecessary fuel that is costly and also overworks the engine. Imagine there is an egg between your right foot and the accelerator pedal. Accelerate harshly and the egg will break,

do so gently and save fuel. Drop your overall average speed by 10–15km/h and measure the difference.You will be surprised at the results that could easily yield more than just extra kilometres to the litre.You will also reduce stress on the mechanical components and lower your own stress levels.

4. Check your loads: The heavier the load, the more fuel your vehicle will use. Remove unnecessary, heavy items from the boot and if you are driving around with a roof rack that is only used twice a year, it is advisable that you remove it, as it affects the aerodynamics of a vehicle.

5. Is that trip really necessary? Plan your trips carefully. Can you perhaps combine fetching the kids up from school with a visit to the greengrocer? What about lift clubs? If you can sacrifice some personal freedom and put up with different personalities, you could almost halve your travelling costs. Also, plan your trips to avoid traffic snarl-ups and getting lost, all of which waste fuel, money and time.

6. Ditch the car: Take a walk, ride a bike or get a scooter. Imagine the fuel saved if you rode a motorcycle instead of driving a car to mosque five times a day? Taking a walk or riding a bike is also a much healthier option. Of course, personal safety and security have to be considered.

7. Downsizing is cool: Today, you can get a fuel-efficient derivative in every motor car range. Choose carefully and weigh up the total cost of ownership, rather than just litres per kilometre costs. Diesel may be cheaper than petrol per kilometre, but is the high initial purchase price worth the potential savings?

Will you be covering long distances that will justify and off-set the higher purchase and maintenance costs of a diesel? Consider service intervals, cost of repairs, spares, depreciation and insurance costs, all of which determine the resale value of a car.

8. Hang with the trucks: Many car owners waste fuel accelerating then slowing down again in heavy traffic. Stick behind a truck because with their general slow speeds, they seem to chug along at a happy, constant speed, allowing you to save fuel behind them in the process. By maintaining a safe following distance, you will benefit from their aerodynamics.

9. Reduce the bling: Low-profile, wide tyres and special rims may look good, but will increase the rolling resistance, leading to extra fuel costs. When purchasing a new car, go easy on the options list and select accessories carefully. If you had to tick every box on a typical German sedan’s option’s list, you could easily add up to 30 percent on a vehicle’s sticker price. Many of these options do not increase the vehicle’s resale value anyhow. Most spoilers, so-called skirtings, rocker panels and front aprons on your ‘Kalahari Ferrari’ are nothing more than cosmetic items that you definitely can do without. On macho double cabs and SUVs, otherwise known as ‘Sandton Tractors’, the main culprits are roll bars, bull bars, side steps, roof-mounted spotlights, massive wheels and high-lift suspension kits… I could go on and on! Don’t be shocked if I tell you some of these guys rarely see more than 5–6km/litre!

10. Fresh air beats aircon: Ask folk who suffer from sinus! At speeds lower than 80km/h, lowering the windows will save fuel and provide fresh air that is healthier than any aircon. Also, do you really need a sunroof? You may find it hard to agree, but this

R10 000 hole in the roof will just burn an unnecessary hole in your wallet.