Save Your Fuel

MORE and more of us are switching to electric cars to lessen our impact on the environment. But even if you’re not planning on switching to an electric car, there are still ways to make the journeys that you need to make by car more sustainable.

Adopting some simple fuel-saving techniques is one way to reduce the amount of fuel you need to use – helping the environment.

Here are a few ecodriving techniques to get you started!

First, do you drive around with a boot full of bottles for the bottle bank, yet keep forgetting to deposit them?

Or maybe you’re a golfer and keep golf clubs in the boot, just in case of an impromptu round of golf.

If you can relate, then it’s time to rethink your ways.

This is because anything that adds to the weight of your car will increase fuel consumption.

Avoiding carrying unnecessary loads when you don’t need to helps to save fuel without even noticing.

Another tip is to turn off your engine when you are not driving.

Avoiding idling when you expect to be stationary for more than 30 seconds helps to improve air quality for everyone.

It also stops your car from burning through fuel when you’re not in motion.

Finally, checking your tyre pressure regularly is a good habit to get into.

As well as being a safety hazard, underinflated tyres create rolling resistance and more energy is required to overcome this resistance.

This, in turn, means more petrol or diesel is needed by your car.

Always check your tyre pressure with a gauge to ensure it is around the tyre pressure level indicated by your car’s manufacturer.

A tyre with 25% of the air let out of it looks like a fully inflated tyre, so never trust your eyes.

Overinflating your tyres does not improve your car’s fuel efficiency, so don’t be tempted to overinflate.

Stick to the guidelines and you will save fuel without compromising your safety. ■