What should drivers know?
For most drivers, driving becomes a routine and a daily occurrence over time, but sometimes it is good to remember how to drive safer, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly, especially if the conditions are not ideal.
We have prepared a few useful tips for our customers to drive safely and save fuel.
Engine care
Service your engine
Did you know that an irregularly serviced engine can increase fuel consumption by up to 50%? Only by replacing dirty spark plugs can you reduce consumption by 5%.
Check air filters
Air filters prevent dirt from damaging your engine. Replacing a clogged air filter can help improve fuel efficiency by up to 10% and can help protect your engine.
Use the right oil
Using the manufacturer’s recommended quality of lubricating oil can reduce fuel consumption by 1-2%. Higher quality motor oils also help your engine run efficiently.
Check the fuel cap closure
Use higher gears
When driving in higher gears, less fuel is used. Therefore, whenever you can put the transmission in a higher gear.
Avoid excessive engine revolutions
Change gears in a timely manner when slowing down or accelerating. Never bring the revolutions counter to the red line.
Save and drive
Keep the tires under proper pressure
If your tires are inflated by only 1 psi (0.07 bar) less, fuel consumption can increase by up to 3%. Therefore, inflate the tires once a week or every time you refuel.
Avoid overloading
Remove the roof rails
Unless you are using the roof rails or roof box, remove them. Roof rails can affect the aerodynamic efficiency of your vehicle, creating resistance, which can lead to your car consuming up to 5% more fuel.
Avoid excessive standing still
Are you stuck in traffic? Standing still will not get you anywhere, and yet it consumes fuel. Switch off the engine until you are waiting in line until you need to start it. As a rule, if you have to stand for more than ten seconds, and your vehicle does not have a Stop&Go system installed, turn off the engine.
Avoid high speed
The faster you drive, the greater the wind resistance and the more fuel your vehicle will use to maintain the speed. At a speed of 110 km/h, fuel consumption can increase by as much as 30% more than if you were driving at 80 km/h. Therefore, drive more slowly.
Maintain a constant speed
Instead of idling when downhill, maintain a constant engine speed by shifting the transmission to the appropriate gear. This will help you maintain a constant speed instead of increasing it, which will result in reduced fuel consumption.
Plan your trips
Reducing car time is the easiest way to save fuel. To reduce driving time, combine short trips and tasks in one trip.
Drive calmly
If you drive aggressively, you can consume up to a third more fuel than if you were driving calmly. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking and try to maintain steering as evenly as possible.
Keep windows closed
Wind blowing through an open window slows down your car. And to compensate, it is likely that you will press harder on the accelerator pedal. Therefore, instead of opening the windows, use the car’s internal ventilation system, only if it does not feel a lullaby.
Use Cruise Control
Using Cruise Control, when possible and safe, allows you to maintain a constant speed and thus save fuel.
Use air conditioning sparingly
Sometimes it is difficult to avoid using air conditioning, however, remember that it adds extra strain to your engine on hot or cold days. And it also increases fuel consumption by up to 8%. On moderate days, you can always use the car’s internal ventilation instead of air conditioning.
Avoid traffic jams
The more you can avoid traffic jams, the less time you will be stuck in traffic and, as a result, the less fuel you will use.