5 ways to increase your vehicle's fuel economy
Since the fuel prices increased by over 50% in August of 2022, even the most efficient vehicles are now costlier to operate than they used to be. Here are five ways you can actually improve your vehicle’s fuel economy
In recent years, the number of new car buyers converting their vehicle's fuel system to CNGs or LPGs have dramatically decreased. This is particularly due to the increased adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Even combustion engine vehicles are now more efficient than ever before due to improved fuel injection systems or smoother continuously variable transmissions (CVT).
Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which means your engine works harder and burns more fuel. A general rule of thumb is to check the tyre pressure at least once a month
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However, since the price of fuel increased by over 50% in August of 2022, even the most efficient vehicles are now costlier to operate than they used to be. Hence, whether you aim to reduce your vehicle's routine maintenance cost or just want to contribute towards protecting the environment, here are five ways you can improve your vehicle's fuel economy.
1. Smart driving habits
Ever wondered why vehicles tend to provide better fuel economy on the highway than on the city's streets? One important reason is the lack of frequent accelerations and hard braking which significantly increases fuel consumption.
Thus, the easiest and most effective way to improve your fuel economy doesn't even require any modifications – just a change in driving habits. While it is not always possible to go at a steady speed, try to accelerate smoothly, anticipate stops beforehand, and maintain go within the speed limit. The golden zone is within the 3000 rpm mark in the gauge cluster.
2. Regularly change lubricants
Regularly changing the lubricants such as the engine oil is known to prolong the life of livelihood of engines. However, it can also help to get better fuel economy as well.
If the engine oil is old and sludgy, your engine has to work harder, burning more fuel in the process. Fresh, high-quality lubricants reduce friction, allowing your engine to run smoothly and efficiently. Similarly, routinely changing the other lubricants like the radiator and transmission fluids can also help to lower heat generation and improve the vehicle's overall efficiency.
3. Install the appropriate tyres
Your tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. Thus, using the right tyres can significantly improve fuel efficiency. When replacing your vehicle's tyres, avoid ones which are meant to perform better off-road if your primary commuting area is within the urban roads and highways.
This is because regular street tyres are designed to minimise rolling resistance by friction and drag. This significantly reduces the power draw from the engine to maintain a certain speed.
Additionally, ensure your tyres are properly inflated. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which means your engine works harder and burns more fuel. A general rule of thumb is to check the tyre pressure at least once a month, and don't forget to regularly keep the wheel balance and alignment in check for even wear.
4. Use octane booster
An octane booster is a fuel additive that is engineered to increase the octane rating of regular fuel.
The local fuel stations are known for their notorious fuel quality. Thus, using an octane booster can seriously improve the fuel quality, improving combustion efficiency and, consequently, fuel economy.
These are particularly useful for turbocharged vehicles or European standard vehicles which generally require a higher standard of fuel. However, use them sparingly – they're most effective during extended highway journeys where consistent engine performance is key.
5. Reduce vehicle weight
Every kilogram of unnecessary weight puts extra strain on your engine. The heavier the car, the more power it needs to accelerate, leading to higher fuel consumption. It's a simple physics equation – less mass equals less fuel.
Avoid turning your car into a storage compartment for your unused things. Clean out your trunk. Get rid of any unnecessary items you won't need. If your car comes with a roof rack, uninstall it when not in use, which can significantly improve a vehicle's aerodynamics, thus reducing drag and improving fuel economy.
When you do want to go out on a trip, you can just install it back. And with a cleaner trunk space, you might not even need the roof rack and just be able to fit all your luggage in the boot. But if you want to go too extreme, you can even replace the spare tyre with a lighter inflator kit but simply decluttering would already make a noticeable difference.
