ECR's Top 5: Efficient ways to save on fuel for South African motorists
Using these five easy tips will help you save on fuel...
If you are seriously considering saving on petrol or diesel (why wouldn't you be?), then there are ways that motorists can do so.
Here are tips to save on fuel as the price hike continues to put strain on South Africans:
1. Maintain a constant speed
Once you're on the move with your vehicle, try to maintain a constant speed within the speed limit. Always try using the highest gear possible to keep the momentum. Try not to press the accelerator too far to the floor. Rather change down a gear so that the throttle can be applied.
On the open road, try to maintain a steady throttle position. If the vehicle you are using is equipped with cruise control, make sure you use it. It will help you to save fuel!
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2. Turn off the air-conditioning
Any load on a car’s electrical system makes the engine work harder and, in the process, it consumes more fuel. Try to use the air-con as sparingly as possible.
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3. Stick to the speed limit
When you go on long or short trips, reminder to stick to the speed limit that is given on the road. If the limit is given as 60 km/h, then maintain the speed or go slightly lower than that.
Simply put, the harder an engine works the more fuel it needs.
Read more: Simply put, the harder an engine works the more fuel it needs. Stay legal – and save at the pumps!
4. Check tyre pressure
The lower a vehicle’s tyre pressure is, the more fuel it needs to move down the road. Under-inflated tyres or even tyres that are over-pumped, can also pose a danger to the people inside your vehicle in terms of the way they respond to driver input.
The recommendation is to always check your tyre pressure. Whether you are going on short trips and especially if you are going on longer trips, it's always important to check the pressure of your tyre to avoid any complications. You can usually find the ideal pressure for your tyres written on the inside of the driver's door.
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5. Have your car serviced
A vehicle that has a well-maintained engine is likely to use less fuel than a neglected counterpart.
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