With fuel prices on the rise, many of us are looking for ways to make a tank of petrol go further. The good news is that you don’t need to be a mechanic to improve your car’s efficiency. A few small adjustments to your routine can lead to big savings over time.
Here are four simple ways to use less fuel:
Check Your Tyre Pressure
One of the easiest ways to save fuel is to ensure your tyres are inflated correctly. The correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance, which is the amount of energy your car needs to get moving and stay moving. When your tyres are under-inflated, your engine has to work much harder, which burns more fuel.
Lighten the Load
It’s time to declutter the boot! Take a moment to remove anything from your car that you don’t need for your journey. Whether its sports gear, heavy tools, or those items you’ve been meaning to drop off at the charity shop, the lighter the car, the less fuel you use.
Use the Aircon Wisely
While we all love a cool cabin, air conditioning puts extra pressure on the engine, which in turn increases fuel consumption. On days when it isn’t too sweltering, try turning off the aircon and using the windows to stay cool instead.
When should you switch?
As a general rule, if you are driving at lower speeds—like around town or in stop-start traffic—keep the windows down. However, once you hit the highway (usually above 80km/h), open windows create a lot of “drag,” making the car less aerodynamic. At these higher speeds, it is more fuel-efficient to roll up the windows and turn on the air conditioning.
Don’t forget the Recirculate Button!
The recirculate button (it looks like a car with a U-turn arrow inside) controls where your air comes from.
When to turn it ON:
On a really hot day, your car has to work twice as hard to cool the scorching air from outside. Turning on recirculate means the air conditioning only has to cool the air that’s already in the cabin, which is much more efficient. It’s also great for keeping out fumes if you’re stuck behind a smoky truck or driving through a tunnel.
When to turn it OFF:
If you have several people in the car, the air can quickly become stale and humid, which can lead to driver fatigue. Turn recirculate off to bring in fresh air. You should also turn it off when you’re trying to defrost the windscreen—bringing in fresh air helps clear that humid, foggy condensation much faster!
Accelerate Smoothly
Your driving style plays a huge role in your fuel economy. By accelerating smoothly and avoiding heavy-footed starts, you keep your engine running more efficiently. The gentler you are with your pedals, the more money you’ll keep in your pocket.
By following these simple steps, you can help your car run better and make those trips to the service station a little less frequent!
If you’d like to start building that same confidence for yourself or someone in your life, you can learn more about the Road Ready Handbook here:
https://galmatic.com/the-galmatic-road-ready-handbook/
