How to ensure and Maintain Fuel Economy with you Petrol or Diesel Vehicle

We are at times of high fuel prices. Both petrol and diesel have increased in price quickly and have stayed high thanks to high oil prices. Whether you drive a petrol vehicle or diesel vehicle there is no escaping the high prices of fuel.

Although it is unlikely that we will slash the cost of fuel dramatically by following the actions below, it will go a long way towards reducing you petrol and diesel fuel costs. With the increased demand for oil from rapidly developing countries in the world, we may continue to face high fuel prices for many years to come.

The possible resolution may be the electric car. With the improvements in electric car technology and reducing prices of electric cars, we may not need to worry about petrol and diesel prices in the distant future.

Reduce Your Speed

Speed remains one of the main reasons for wasting of petrol and diesel in your car. This does not mean you have to crawl to your destination at the slowest possible speed. Cars and vehicles perform best for fuel efficiency at its highest gears. This is usually the 5^th gear for most cars and the 6^th for the other cars. Also, optimum fuel efficiency is achieved at around 50 to 60 miles per hour. You should always consider the safety issues relating to your driving speed before considering fuel economy.

Avoid Accelerating Rapidly

Your gas pedal acts as a gauge for the amount of fuel that is released into the engine. So generally a gas pedal that is pressed harder will consume additional fuel. Making a vehicle go from a stand still position to a rolling situation consumes the most fuel. The gentler you can make this process on the gas pedal the lower the fuel you would consume. Also as a general rule you should use a soft action on the gas pedal rather than a heavy action.

Avoid Tailgating or driving too close

In the 21^st century most of are always in a rush. Sometimes this reflects in our driving habits. Human psychology makes us believe that driving so close to the car in front will make the car move out of our way. That never works and it is very dangerous and irresponsible driving. You also pay a heavy price for such driving as you would be constantly breaking and accelerating. Breaking negates the movement of the vehicle and therefore the fuel you used to gain movement of the vehicle is cancelled out. Therefore tailgating is anything but fuel efficient driving.

Select when to Travel Careful.

It may be possible to organize your journeys in a fuel efficient way. Ask yourself questions such as, Do I really need to go into town at rush hour? The chances are you may be able to go into town at a quieter time and reduce the time you spend on traffic jams burning petrol and diesel unnecessarily. Careful journey planning helps reduce petrol and diesel usage.

Combine Journeys

Can you combine your journeys? When you take the car out of the driveway can you plan a route which may do more than one job? For example, can you fit your weekly shop around dropping the kids off at school? Can you go to the bank on your way to work? It is worth asking these questions as you may find opportunities to save journeys. This will also save on fuel and also your annual mileage. Savings on the annual mileage would have many other benefits such as lower insurance costs, servicing costs and wear and tear.

Always use the Highest Possible Gear for the Speed you are Traveling

Good gear control helps reduce petrol and diesel usage. The higher gears always consume less fuel. So, you should aim to move to the higher gear as soon as possible. Smooth running of the vehicle is essential. If you move to a higher gear to the extent that the car struggles to move, then your fuel consumption increases. So, avoid the engine over running and move to the most suitable highest gear at the earliest possible opportunity.

Keep you Tyres Inflates Correctly

When was the last time you checked you have the correct tyre pressure? Chances are you are driving below the recommended tyre pressure. When the car manufacturers determine the recommended tyre pressures, many factors are taken into account including fuel economy. A correctly inflated tyre interfaces to the road correctly and therefore optimizes petrol and diesel usage. A poorly inflated tyre is likely to use up more petrol or diesel.

In addition to the above points you should consider items you transport unnecessarily in your vehicles. Do you have heavy objects you needed for one journey that is still in the boot of the car? Extra weight consumes extra fuel. Eliminating unnecessary weight optimizes petrol and diesel usage.

Hopefully with the above mentioned small and straightforward actions you can make a worthwhile reduction in your fuel bill.