Motoring

Motorists are always thinking: ‘How can I save fuel?’ An expert gives us tips on how to make petrol last longer

The year 2018 was brutal – the price of petrol increased at least four times. Most of us considered turning to public transport, starting lift clubs or walking to work! If you’ve managed to hold on to your car, then any tips and tricks to save on fuel are welcome. Phumza Gcanga, an East London-based SupaQuick manager, had these insights to share:

1. Sort Out The Basics First

Before we get to the nitty gritty of saving fuel, take care of the basics — get car alignment and tyre pressure sorted out regularly. This is the number one culprit for fuel consumption. The science is simple — the flatter or uneven your wheels, the more energy is needed to keep the car moving and the more fuel the engine requires, the quicker your tank dries up… You get the picture, right?

2. Clear The Junk

As women, we’re notorious for travelling with a whole wardrobe in our boots. All of that extra weight puts unnecessary pressure on your ride. Clear out everything you don’t need in the car as this will help to cut back on your fuel spend.

3. Get On A Higher Gear

Please don’t use this pointer as license to speed. The trick is to get to the highest gear, but then drive at a legal, moderate speed, particularly in cities and other urban settings. This takes away the pressure on your engine because it’s operating at its peak, using up less fuel.

4. Sit Out The Traffic

Ever sat in long-winded traffic and watched your petrol indicator, along with your patience, literally drop? By now, you should know which times attract bumper-to-bumper traffic on your way to and from work. Stops-andgoes require a lot of petrol — the aim is to keep it moving at a steady pace when driving. Get to work early and leave later than normal.

5. Fill Up Smartly

There are many theories on when it’s best to fill up. Most experts suggest you fill up in the morning, and that you don’t wait until you’re on reserve to pull into a filling station. By the time you reach reserve levels, your engine uses more power to absorb petrol from the tank, and guzzles it up quickly.