How to save on fuel costs, protecting Auto investment continued
Auto Driver Ability
Poor driving habits can be costly in both vehicle repairs and fuel consumption.
Fast driving is unquestionably a fuel waster, as is rapid acceleration, unnecessary braking (often a result of driving too close to the vehicle in front) and unnecessary use of the gearbox. Never ‘floor’ the accelerator pedal. Change from the lower gears as quickly as circumstances permit and use only the first quarter of throttle movement. If necessary, have your garage fit a second spring to the throttle mechanism to increase tension.
Tests carried out by the AA Technical Department on the Johannesburg- Pretoria highway showed that reducing speed from 90 km / h to 70 km / h reduced fuel consumption by 16 per cent; and reducing speed from 90 km/h to 80 km/h reduced fuel consumed by 11 per cent. In similar tests between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, the savings were 12.5 and 10 per cent respectively—due to the undulating nature of the road. In individual road tests consumption has been found to increase by an average of some 30 per cent between speeds of 60 km / h and 80 km / h, anything from 37.5 to 50 per cent between speeds of 80 km / h and 100 km / h and an average of 42.5 per cent between speeds of 100 km/h and 120 km.
Auto Vehicle Use
Prudent use of the vehicle will also bring about substantial fuel savings. For example:
- Use your car less frequently by forming a lift club with one or two of your colleagues, and by planning your shopping trips to avoid duplication— especially short ones to the nearest café. A cold engine used over short distances is far more costly on fuel than a hot one, not to mention the additional wear on engine components and exhaust systems.
- Few car manufacturers recommend an engine warm-up period. Fuel wastage can be minimised by driving the vehicle under light acceleration immediately after it has been started.
- Keep a detailed record of fuel used and distance covered and, if you use your car regularly to a given point, vary both the route and the time of leaving for your destination until optimum results are obtained. In traffic conditions a saving in the time you take to reach your destination is more often than not an indication that you have managed to save fuel.
- Remove the roof rack when not in use, and travel with closed windows when possible. This reduces drag which, in turn, reduces fuel consumption.
Other Road Users
Your driving can also affect the fuel consumption of other cars on the road. A public-spirited motorist should:
- Not double park.
- Not stop across intersections, but wait until the road ahead is clear before proceeding.
- Allow access at slip roads or highway onramps.
Allow other cars to change lanes. - Move the car out of the lane of traffic after a minor accident.
- Contain his curiosity and not slow down to see why another motorist has stopped—unless he is in need of help. The accumulated effect of slowing down leads to traffic jams and fuel wastage.
Auto Fuel-saving facts
Points of interest to those who want to save fuel are:
The average car will use between 1,5 and 2,5 litres of fuel per hour when idling; and if you cost out your idling minutes over a year the result will astound you. Reduce idling times whenever possible.
A medium-sized car in traffic, with only the driver, consumes half to one third as much fuel as a diesel bus capable of carrying the driver and up to 60 passengers.
Four to four-and-a-half stops per kilometre from 50 km/h can double fuel consumption in a medium-sized car.
On the open road at a speed of 100 km / h fuel consumption should be approximately:
- 5 to 7 liters 100 km for a small car
- 7 to 10 liters 100 km for a medium-sized car and
- 10 to 14 liters 100 km for a large car.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
How to save on fuel costs, protecting Auto investment continued
- Complete Auto and Truck Repair Cornerstone Automotive
- Runs Rough or Dies: Auto / Car, Truck Jeep Engine Keeps Dying Repair (14-20)
- How to save on fuel costs, protecting Auto investment
- Changing the Auto Car Oil & Oil Filter
- Fuel system, how to fix Auto Car Petrol supply
- Automobile Transmission Axles Care
- Car Won't Start, why? How to get your Auto Car checked and Repaired by yourself? step (31- 40)
- All thumbs up guide to car Glossary
- Checking the Car Basics, Before Hit on the Road
- Fix your Car, Auto Parts Lubrication/Pumps and Filters Guide
on November 11th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Pollution parts that you can install in your auto engine is the air pump which is connected to the exhaust system of your vehicle. … Auto Parts
on November 11th, 2008 at 8:39 am
From the engines to the fuel and exhaust systems, the lighting and the body panels, Parts Train offers all the parts and accessories that any car owner will need. … Car Accessories
on July 12th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
It gives your fuel system what it really needs – a blend of super slick oils and additives with a high detergent action that allows the engine to operate at maximum efficiency. … Slick Oils
on August 11th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
The auto industry, which has fought past attempts to raise fuel economy standards, but expressed support for the plan’s direction, said the new system would mean seven straight years of higher gas mileage requirements. … Gas Mileage
on September 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
An Ace fuel pressure regulator can be trusted to keep the degree of pressure within the fuel system at a constant, which is essential to the proper and efficient functioning of the fuel system as a whole. … Window Regulator