How To Reduce Your Car's Fuel Consumption

Reducing your car's fuel consumption can help save at the pump. Learn how you can help decrease fuel consumption with these tips.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 10 Minutes to read

Here's How:

1) Slow down. Speeds over 60 km per hour (kph) creates incredible wind resistance that your car must overcome. This increased resistance causes your car to burn more fuel. Traveling at 80 kph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared speed limits of 100 kph and 120 kph.

2) Shift gears. Running your automobile at high speeds in low gear can use 45% more fuel than if you were in the right gear.

3) Keep your windows closed on the highway. The increased drag caused by open windows can increase fuel consumption up to 10%.

4) Drive proactively. Slowing down and speeding up wastes fuel. Also, accelerate before approaching a hill rather than when you are climbing it. You engine is forced to work harder on an incline, thus increasing fuel consumption.

5) Avoid rough roads. Dirt and gravel roads can increase fuel consumption up to 30%.

6) Keep your car in good working order. Make sure tune ups and oil changes are up to date. Also, make sure you tyres are properly inflated. A well-kept car requires less stress on the engine and reduces fuel consumption.

7) Remove excess weight. All of the junk that some people accumulate in their cars can start to add up. Trunks filled completely and other excess weight causes the engine to work harder. Whenever the engine needs to work more, fuel efficiency decreases.

8) Don't idle for long periods of time. Idling for one minute equals the amount of fuel used to start the car's engine. If you are forced to sit at an idle, put the car in neutral. Using neutral reduces strain on the transmission and allows it to cool.

9) There is no need to warm your car up. Older cars required time to let the engine start working. Newer cars are designed to start cold.

10) Accelerate slowly when the light turns green. Taking off to a fast start burns fuel unnecessarily. This is equal to revving the engine.