Save on Fuel Tips

The rising cost of fuel is bad news. Even the recent reduction in prices left us wanting for more. But this can be an opportunity for you to get some personal advantage from it. For instance it can give you an excuse to buy that motorcycle that you always wanted to buy. Or say a new super-efficient small car that came into the market. Now it might take a long time to recover the initial cost, but you at least saved in the long run with reduced fuel bills.

So, what are the fuel-saving options that we have? Let’s consider a few of those:

1. If you can do without the car, another option would be to use a motorcycle or a bicycle. There are obvious health advantages with a bicycle.

2. If you have to drive a car, then downgrade to the smallest car possible. Small cars generally are much more frugal than a big car. For example, if you downgrade from an SUV (9 kmpl) to a small car (15 kmpl), you will save enough fuel and hence money to recover the cost of the small car.

3. Keep the engine in proper state of tune. An engine with its tuning gone awry will waste fuel. It will not make any usable power.

4. Check the spark plugs. The condition of the spark plug tip is also an indication of the engine’s health.

5. Keep the injectors clean. Clogged injectors will lead to power loss and even engine knocking if the engine does not get proper amount of fuel. So you throttle harder for more power.

6. Consider engine modifications for economy. A free flow air intake will allow more efficient combustion of the fuel. So you have more power and economy with complete combustion of fuel.

7. A carburetor allows better fine tuning than a fuel injection system. So you can re-jet your carburetor for economy. Remapping the fuel injection system for lower end torque also helps.

8. There is that classic modification- changing the final drive ratio. A higher ratio will spin the wheels more for every revolution if the engine crank. But don’t go too high. A few teeth less than the current number of gear teeth should be good enough.

9. Cruising at slower speeds will save a lot of fuel, especially with diesel engines. Shift up the gears at lower engine speeds. Accelerate gently and coast down if you see a traffic light ahead. Also tire life will increase and will avoid any accidental tire bursts.

10. Maintain proper tire air pressure. Monitor the same regularly.

11. Keep unnecessary weight out of the car.

12. Do not install magic gadgets that claim to save fuel. They simply add weight to your car. If they really worked, the manufacturers would have got those fitted in their cars first.

That’s all for now. Lets try to implement these and set our own fuel efficiency records. Keep posting your views about the same. If you have any more tips, we will be glad to try them out.