If you’re like the rest of us, one of the last things you want to spend more money on is fuel. It’s easier than you think to make your tank go a little further in order to save a few extra dollars. According to our local tow truck experts maintaining your automobile in top condition and sticking to maintenance schedules can increase fuel efficiency by up to 30%.
So here are the top 10 tips to increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle by our local tow truck experts:
1. Use the High Quality Fuel
Do you have access to a modern vehicle? If that’s the case, you’re probably running on unleaded E10. It’s a wonderful choice when you first fill up your tank because it’s a less expensive alternative to conventional gasoline. The issue is that E10 is ethanol, which has low volatility when compared to regular gasoline. As a result, it will appear like you are prioritizing cost over efficiency. According to our local tow truck experts, this is due to the fact that E10 requires more gasoline to obtain the same level of performance.
In other words, by thinking you’re saving money on gas, you’re actually wasting money. In actuality, you consume more gasoline and visit the service station more frequently than you would want.
So the best solution for this issue as of our local tow truck experts is to select the appropriate fuel. Premium fuel is more expensive, but you will notice the difference right away. It lasts longer and even gives you a tiny performance bump. If you have a European vehicle, you should only use premium fuel; otherwise, choosing E10 or regular options may result in performance issues.
Before igniting, if you hear tiny “pings” in the engine, it means you’re running low on octane fuel. If you do not change your fuel, you risk causing early engine harm. Make sure you read the owner’s manual to learn about your car’s specific requirements, especially when it comes to choosing the right fuel. This information is usually found on the inside of the fuel flap, or you can do a quick online search.
2. Drive On A Steady Speed As Much As Possible
In addition to maintaining a speed of 100 km/h or below, you should drive as smoothly as possible. It can be tempting to speed up or tailgate the automobile in front of you that has been travelling slowly. As of our local tow truck experts quickening your pace, on the other hand, will consume more fuel. Instead, especially if you haven’t been driving from a stop, you should take off as smoothly as possible. Then you pull back from the traffic, allowing you to drive more quickly.
You will be compelled to slow down and then speed up if you tailgate or follow a car too closely. Switching from fast to slow or vice versa consumes more fuel than you might think. You can assess the issue if you travel further behind. It’s useful since you won’t have to apply the brakes, which, as you may already know, wastes a lot of gas.
3. Drive Slow
When it comes to driving, the slow and steady approach always wins. Excessive speed will get you to your destination faster, but it will have a number of negative consequences for your car. You may be causing long-term damage to your engine, making it less efficient.
Our local tow truck experts are strongly advising against driving at speeds of 110 km/h or higher, as this will raise your fuel consumption by more than 15%. Driving at fast speeds is the last thing you want to do if you want to save money on gas. Ideally, you should sit at a speed of 100 km/h or less if you are comfortable with it. You’ll be taking better care of your car while also lowering your chances of receiving a speeding ticket.
4. Consolidate Your Journeys
Local tow truck experts have busted a common myth that taking two short trips saves you more money than one long drive. You’ll need more gas because your car uses extra gas every time you start it. When your engine is cold, it consumes more fuel than when it is warm. As a result, multiple short trips after a cold start consume twice the amount of fuel.
It’s time to consolidate as many trips and errands as possible if you actually want to save money on gas. You will also reduce the amount of time you need to drive as a result of this. And there is no doubt that time is money. And the less time you spend driving, the less gas you’ll require. As a result, our local tow truck experts believe combining many locations into a single journey makes sense.
5. Make Sure Your Tyres Are Properly Inflated
Consider how difficult it would be to drive up a hill with a flat tyre. It’s draining. Rolling resistance increases when your tyres are deflated, which means your car’s engine will have to work harder than usual. It is a common saying among the local tow truck experts that the more labour an automobile does, the more it costs.
Fortunately, you can easily avoid this type of problem. All you have to do is check your tyres on a regular basis to ensure they are properly inflated. That indicates all four tyres are at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
Premature wear is caused by underinflated and deflated tyres. They also reduce fuel efficiency. Make it a practice to check the amount of tyre inflation before leaving the house. According to our local tow truck experts, when the tyres are cold, that is the optimum time to check their pressure. That means you’ve only been driving for around five minutes. You can also do it before you get behind the wheel. When you check your car’s tyre pressure when the tyres are already heated, you’ll get inaccurate results.
While we’re on the subject, keep in mind that your wheel alignment should be checked as well. Misaligned wheels will reduce tyre grip, increasing the quantity of fuel used to push your vehicle. You should have your car’s alignment checked if it seems to pull to one side more often or if wear only appears on one side of the tyre.
If you have a flat tyre, Austow can either replace it or tow you to the nearest tyre shop. We specialize in quick, efficient, dependable, and economical flat tyre roadside help.
6. Idle Time Uses Fuel Too
Turning off the car’s engine is one of the most effective and simple ways to save fuel. We all have the habit of leaving it running while we go errands and this is considered one of the most common issues by local tow truck experts. Some jobs take longer than expected, resulting in you leaving your automobile idle for longer.
It is highly recommended by local tow truck experts that you should cut off your engine while waiting for the stoplight to turn green. Turn off the engine if you think you’ll be stuck on the road for more than 30 seconds. This is one of the reasons why contemporary automobiles feature stop/start systems, which automatically turn the car off and on.
According to local tow truck experts, there is one more thing that you should avoid. Before you start driving, don’t warm up your vehicle. This old wives’ tale is completely unneeded, and it also wastes fuel.
7. Maintain Your Car’s Optimal Condition
Any local tow truck expert will tell you this without fail and that is to maintain your car in optimal condition. While it is an additional cost every six months or so, it is well worth the money. You will save a lot of money on gas while also extending the life of the engine. Spark plugs, fuel, and air filters are usually replaced as part of routine maintenance. Maintaining your vehicle properly ensures that it will run longer and in the best possible condition.
8. Go Hybrid or Electric
The new greens on the road are electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid autos. These two varieties were a welcome addition to the automobile industry, especially given Australia’s sky-high fuel rates. If you travel for many thousand kilometres per year, hybrids and electric vehicles provide more benefits.
A hybrid vehicle has a battery and an electric motor, as opposed to traditional cars that use diesel or gas to power their internal combustion engines. It can still be filled up like a regular automobile, but you can recharge and utilize the battery first before switching to gasoline. The fact that these automobiles emit less pollution while also turning off the motor when the vehicle comes to a halt is a significant bonus. That implies it won’t go into idle mode, saving you a lot of money on gas.
Have you run out of gas and are stranded on the highway? It’s no problem! We provide a quick and courteous refuelling service. We value your time and will be there to assist you. Visit our website for more details.