Keeping your car in shape

Car fleet managers know some drivers use less fuel than others, while maintaining the same schedules. The secret is to think ahead and keep enough space around you to always be smooth and gentle with your car.

Heavy acceleration is the enemy of fuel economy, but heavy braking is even more so.

Is your car fully fit? These days, with long service intervals and good reliability, drivers tend to take things for granted. It is possible for an engine to run smoothly and xdeliver good performance, but still use more fuel than is necessary.

Today's engines are managed by extremely clever computers. If, for example, the spark plugs are worn the quality of ignition may be affected. To compensate, the engine management computer may retard the ignition timing - and although the driver feels nothing, the fuel consumption will be slightly increased.

Drivers whose engines last a long time often say their secret is to change the engine oil more often than recommended.