Going away? Here are some tips to maximise fuel efficiency

With fuel prices frequently on the rise, driving with maximum efficiency in mind is more important than ever before. Both on- or off-road, there are things you can do to further reduce your fuel consumption and save a few hard-earned rands. 

As we prepare to head out for the December holidays, here are a few tips from Ford to help you drive safely and save on fuel: 

Service your vehicle

It is very crucial to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. Ensure it is regularly serviced by taking it to any Ford dealer (or specific service station) nationwide. By keeping a car serviced, you mitigate the risk of unforeseen issues that might occur and at the same time allow the vehicle to perform at its peak and be more efficient when it comes to fuel consumption.

Important service parts include items like oil and filter changes, lights, wipers, tyres, belts and brakes. If these are not operating optimally, they may be making your vehicle work harder and use more juice.

Always check your tyres

Under-inflated or worn tyres can increase their rolling resistance which means your vehicle will be working harder to travel at a given speed. This means as the car struggle to reach certain speeds, it will put a strain on fuel consumption. Choose replacement tyres carefully, as non-standard aftermarket tyres can drastically degrade the fuel economy of your vehicle. 

As a driver, checking your tyre pressure should also be a norm. Make sure your tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendation (this will usually be on a placard inside a door sill) which will normally include laden and unladen numbers.

Remove unnecessary weight 

The more load your car carries, the more fuel it’s going to need. It’s important to remove unnecessary weight, especially when you’re on a road trip and plan on saving petrol/diesel. Things like a fridge, tool kits, shovels, driving lights, bicycle racks and many other accessories add up in weight and may cause drag which all contributes to the overall fuel consumption.

Drive Sensibly

Aggressive acceleration and braking can dramatically increase your fuel consumption. Maintain good observation of the road and traffic around you and try to react to changes early so that you can accelerate slower, coast early and brake gently. 

For more modern vehicles, always use active cruise control when you can, and a fuel consumption display to keep track of how much fuel you’re actually using.

Related: Cruise control can reduce fuel consumption by 20% if used correctly – here is how

Towing

When it comes to towing a trailer, you’re going to use more fuel than usual, but there are still things you can do to maximise fuel efficiency like keeping your speed down. Travelling 10-15 km/h less than the speed limit can help reduce drag and in turn save fuel, this is also important because it means you’ll spend less time braking and regenerating lost speed by accelerating.

Hot weather tips

Hotter December weather will have you reaching for the AC without consideration. Air conditioning can increase a vehicle’s fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Open the windows when you’re driving in the city, only use the flow-through ventilation system with the windows up on the highway to keep drag at higher speeds to a minimum. If you do use air conditioning, use the re-circulate option. It will minimize how intense the system needs to operate. 

Cold Weather Tips

Being able to leave your car parked in a garage overnight in cold weather will give you a head start when it comes to warming it up. And don’t think switching on your vehicle with the heater on and letting it idle for a few minutes is a good idea either, you’ll burn more fuel doing this. Most modern vehicle engines are designed to be driven from start-up and will warm up more efficiently when driven, improving the heater’s performance, and helping with fuel consumption.

Related: December petrol prices take effect tonight

This is particularly relevant to all South African motorists to help you prepare for the December holidays. With the AA confirming that petrol prices will increase for the festive season, these tips could indeed result in tangible savings. Challenge yourself this holiday and see how much you’ll save.

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