About Finance: How to Save on Car ..........

How to Save on Car Fuel by Cutting Operating Costs

The annual operating costs of a car include fuel costs, tyres, replacement of parts, general maintenance and servicing costs, motor insurance and depreciation. Of these, fuel costs are the ones that are currently hurting car users the most because oil prices are at historical highs and are expected to stay around these levels. Now is the time for car owners to evaluate commuting habits and accordingly alter ones behaviour to offset the rising fuel costs. The following are some suggestions that can help car owners.

Consider alternative fuel options to petrol: Diesel and CNG are options you can consider to cut down on your petrol bills. Both are cheaper, but CNG will also be more environmentally friendly. A CNG kit does not cost a lot and can be more fuel efficient in the longer run than a petrol or diesel car.
Control your speed: As speed increases, the car’s engine works more and this results in more fuel being consumed. Drive at a constant speed, rather than frequent acceleration and braking.
Idling: Idling and being stuck in traffic jams is not only frustrating but also wastes fuel. Consider starting your commute earlier than normal so you can avoid rush hour. You might get an uninterrupted ride to work, thus allowing you to save on fuel consumption. Alternatively, if you cannot avoid rush hour and jams, switch off your car’s engine if you know that you are going to be stationary for more than 2 minutes.
Use the car AC judiciously: Using the car AC is a trade-off between higher fuel consumption due to more power being consumed, versus poor aerodynamics on the car due to high wind resistance if the car has its windows open. When weather permits, switch off the AC, especially while driving within the city limits. You can save minimum 10% on fuel. For long distance travel at constant speed around 60 km/hour switch on the A/C.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance and servicing will keep your car in a healthy condition. Get your car tuned regularly. Check the engine oil periodically. Replace the air filters as needed. You will be surprised that your car become at least 10% more fuel efficient just through these good habits.
Get rid of extra weight in the car: The heavier your car is with extra items like boxes or bags, sports equipment and other clutter in the boot, the more fuel that your car will consume. Get rid of the extra weight and improve fuel efficiency.
Optimum air pressure: Check the tyre air pressure. Under inflated tyres will burn more fuel and give you an uncomfortable ride because they don’t drip the road as well. You can save up to 5% just through optimum tyre pressure.