KEY POINTS:
Last year, I was discussing that just because petrol prices were dropping there was an inevitability prices would rise again.
However, I did not envisage the rise would be quite so catastrophic. So, with a number of changes and additions, I again urge you to to take note of these ways to conserve fuel.
Now is the time to practise good fuel economy and here are some tips that can help you squeeze a few extra kilometres out of each tank of gas. Like clipping coupons, the individual contributions may be small but the total savings add up.
* Slow down
As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. Try driving at the speed limit for a few days. You'll save a lot of fuel and your journey won't take much longer.
* Check tyre pressures
Under-inflated tires can easily cost 2 to 3mpg or more.
Buy a reliable tyre gauge, check your tyres when they're cold (driving the car warms up the tyres and the air in them, increasing the pressure), and keep them properly inflated.
Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner's manual or on a data plate in the driver's doorjamb.
* Check your air filter
A clean air filter is the key to good fuel economy. A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy.
Air filters are easy to check and change: hold the filter up to the sun - if you can't see through it you need a new one.
* Minimise fuel wasted in idling
Most cars don't need to be "warmed up" by idling before setting off. This simply wastes fuel. Start your car when you are ready to go. Once on the road, minimise fuel wasted in idling by stopping the engine whenever your car is stopped or held up for an extended period of time.
By having the engine switched off, even for a short period, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine. The net increased wear and tear from this practice is negligible.
* Stay with the trucks
Ever notice how, in bad traffic jams, cars seem to constantly speed up and slow down, while trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely pace? A constant speed keeps gear changes to a minimum - important to those who have to tangle with those 10-speed truck transmissions - but it also aids economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving.
* Nature's air-con
Consider shutting off the air-conditioning and opening the windows. Keep in mind that at higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.
* Cut down the modifications
New wheels and tyres may look cool and they can certainly improve handling.
But if they're wider than the stock tyres, chances are they'll create more rolling resistance and decrease fuel economy.
If you upgrade your wheels and tyres, stick to the old types. For long trips, the stock wheels give a smoother ride and better economy.
* Clean out the car
The more weight your car has to haul, the more fuel it needs. If you're the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness, periodically go through the car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It doesn't take much to acquire an extra 15-20kg of stuff.
The difference in economy may be small but every little bit counts.
* Drive in the right gear
Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel, and letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners is also wasteful. In a manual vehicle, change up gears as soon as the car is comfortable with the higher gear but without accelerating harder than necessary.
Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.
Avoid the use of power options that drop the car into a lower gear and, therefore, use more fuel.
* Keep your vehicle in good condition
Keep your vehicle well tuned and regularly maintained. Get your car serviced at the intervals specified in the manufacturer's handbook.
Use the petrol recommended for your vehicle by the manufacturer. Using premium unleaded petrol in a car designed for regular unleaded may give better fuel consumption in some newer vehicles but is unlikely to offset the fuel's extra cost.
* Out with the new, in with the old
Many people keep their old cars around even after they buy a new one. A spare car, especially if it's an econobox, can be good insurance against temporary rises in fuel prices. The costs of keeping the car may or may not be less than the fuel saved, but it does allow for more predictability in your budget.
* And finally - don't drive
Not a popular thing to say, but the fact is that if you can avoid driving, you'll save fuel.
Take the train or the bus, ride your bike, carpool, consolidate your shopping trips.
And always ask yourself: "Is this trip really necessary?"
