10 Tips To Improve Fuel Efficiency

Has lockdown made you realise how much you spend on filling up your car? Driving with fuel economy in mind can help you conserve fuel and save money. Michanic is always looking for ways to help our customers save, so read on if you want to improve your cars fuel consumption!

Here are 10 useful tips to improve your fuel efficiency

1. Go easy on the accelerator

It is obvious that harsh acceleration and driving at high speeds negatively impacts your fuel efficiency. Also, if a light is orange or red take your foot off the accelerator and let your car come to a slow stop. Use both your gears and brakes simultaneously. The same goes for keeping your distance from the car in front of you. The more distance your keep the better you can prevent harsh acceleration or braking.

2. Make Sure You are Filling Up with the Correct Fuel

Not all vehicles are made the same, some should use lower octane fuel (93 unleaded) and some higher (95 unleaded). Check your car manual to see what the recommended fuel type is for your car.

3. Get Rid of Dead Weight

Clearing out your boot or back seat of all those unnecessary things that you have been carting around can help to improve your fuel consumption. Some motorists go as far as partial refuels to reduce weight.

4. Reduce Drag

Those roof racks that only get used twice a year or open windows create unnecessary wind resistance. So, try keeping your windows closed and only fit your roof racks when you need them to improve your fuel efficiency.

5. Tyre Pressure

Tyre pressure is an easy one, and you should do it every time you fill up with fuel. Ensuring that your tyres are properly inflated will improve fuel economy and extend the life of your tyres.

6. Good Quality Oil

The money you may save on using a cheaper oil can cost you a lot more in car maintenance and higher fuel consumption. So, it is important to use the correct type of oil recommended by your vehicle manufacturer and to use a high-quality brand. We have partnered with Belgium based Wolf Oil Corporation to ensure that your car is getting the very best.

7. Drive in Higher Gears

The lower the gear the higher the RPM, and the more fuel your vehicle is using to produce the additional torque. So, change gears smartly. You want to be in the highest gear without putting strain on the engine – you should still be able to accelerate a little if you are in the right gear.

8. Air-conditioner

Your Air-conditioner draws power from the engine, meaning that your engine has to use more fuel to put out this additional power. So, now you know why your Uber driver never turns the aircon on. If it’s hot and you are in traffic, rather open a window. On the open road however, you should wind up your windows and turn on the AC. Here the drag created by having windows open is more detrimental to fuel efficiency than having your AC on.

9. Refuel in the Morning

Rather fill up on your way to work in the morning than on the way home. Because fuel is denser at lower temperatures, you get a little more bang for your buck by refueling in the morning when fuel is typically at its coolest.

10. Service Your Vehicle!

Servicing your car regularly can help improve fuel consumption. And vehicles that have not been serviced may have worn or dirty spark plugs, clogged air-filters, dirty oil, among other issues that could be costing you more in high fuel consumption. Book an inspection or service with Michanic and one of our friendly mobile mechanics will come to you to get your car running at optimum efficiency.

We understand that your car plays an important part of your daily life, transporting you and your loved ones. Michanic is dedicated to providing the most convenient services for our customers, so if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your car, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email at [email protected], or by phone on 087 803 9000.

Click here to get a quote for your next service.