Tips on Getting better FUEL ECONOMY

Saving fuel does not mean to drive like Miss Daisy. Actually the mosr uneconomical driving is the Miss Daisy style. This is because the engine cokes up prematurely. The reason for it is the additives, which replaced the lead componud. These additives are as bad in India as all over the world (and they are more lethal to humans than the lead compound!).

1. Weight: We all carry at times (if not continuesly) clutter in our cars that we do not need, but can't be bothered. It often amounts to anything between 10 and 20kg and sometimes even more. This weighs in comparatively heavy in city traffic, where an extreme amount of acceleration takes place. And percentage wise it makes more difference the lighter the car is in the first place.

2. Tyre pressure: I see every dar cars that are running with one or more tyres well below the recommended tyre pressure. The fuel efficiency can be reduced by as much as 20%. Tyre manufacturers recommend for economical driving to increase the recommended (car specific) tyre pressure by 0.3 bars.

3. Tyre Profile: The wider the tyre the more drag. Fuel economy can decrease by around 10% and in some extreme cases even more.

4. air con: The less the air con is being used that more fuel can be saved. Air con can reduce the flywheel out put on smaller engines in the region of 10%!.

5. Open windows and sun roofs: Windows and sunroofs due to turbulences will increase fuel consumption with incrersing speeds. In slow moving traffic it is more fuel efficient alternative than using air con.

6. During warm running phase: Drive off immediately, but not exceeding 3,500rpm till warm. There is no advantage of letting the engine idle till warm.

7. Shifting gears: Unless when trying to have some fun it is advisable to shift gears rather early to make use of the torque band, which will reduce fuel consumption.

8. Excessive usage of brakes: Rather than breaking late it is best for fuel economy to lift off (while keeping a distance to the car in front) and let the car slow down by engine braking. As soon as the foot comes off the throttle ECU controlled engines will shut off fuel delivery. It also saves brake pads.

9. Stop and go in heavy traffic: When driving in slow moving traffic with a lot of stop and go movement, the best way to drive is by keeping a constant speed. If the gap widens in front it is advisable to maintain a speed level that does not necessitate braking at all (or very little) when the traffic slows down again before it picks up for the next cycle.

10. At standstill: When the car is stationary for more than 9 seconds in traffic jams, railway crossings or any other reasons fuel will be saved.

11. Styling modifications: Many (but not all) of the styling mods will increase the drag and additionally the weight of the car and might work adversly on downforce and handling.

12. Aero dynamic modifications: Aero dynamic mods can increase down force quite dramatically aiding handling at extreme driving, but these will increase fuel consumption dramatically. Many other aero dynamic mods can decrease fuel consumption dramatically wtihout affecting down force adsversly.

13. Mud flaps: They are good when driving in conditions that need protection from mud flying around but will increase fuel consumption.

14. Rims: When rims aren't smooth, they can increase fuel consumption in heavy cars by up to 7% in small cars by up to over 15%.

15. Lowering the car: When fwd cars or mid engined are lowered by a maximum of 35mm they will be more fuel efficient, which can amount to about 5%. Lowering further will put a lot of strain on the drive shafts, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Rear wheel drive cars can be lowered to a higher degree without the same problems.

16. Under body aero dynamics: On less modern car it can have a dramatic increase in fuel effeciency, but needs to be rather carefully as the car could be de-stabilised at higher speed.

17. Regular servicing: Worn spark plugs will fire but not as required leading to flame front developments that aren't suitable for fuel saving. The same goes for old ignition leads. High quality flushing compounds will restore compression by cleaning out the ring gaps, restoring the usable power and increasing fuel economy.

18. Oil: Oil changes as well as oil quality can be advantageous on fuel economy in the region of about 3%.

19. Special lubricants: This does apply to a few lubricants only! When those added to the gear box or engine the drag reduction can increase power output noticably.

20: Gear box oil: Although not necessary to change as frequently it should be checked and the latest be replaced when visibly not as required. Savings aren't massive, but enough to warrant it and will prolong gear box life.

21. Planning routes: Sometimes it is cheaper to go a longer route as it does not require as many stops and gos. Also it is advisable on longer trips to plan them for times (if possible), where traffic is not at its peak, which gives cruising more of a chance.

22. A good blast: From time to time it is beneficial to run the engine really hot with some spirited driving. It helps clean out the engine vespecially when a lot of city driving is being done.

23. Wheel alignement: If the wheels are towing in or out drag will be increased and this in turns increases fuel consumption. The more the alignment is out the higher the drag. Additionall when towing out it will destabilise traction.