#PetrolPrice: 5 tips for fuel efficient driving
With the fuel price on an upward trend, these tips could save you money
South Africans’ budgets are stretched to the limit, with seemingly monthly increases to the cost of living.
As the temporary R1.50 reduction in the General Fuel Levy is set to end at the end of May, motorists and commuters are faced with a potential R3/litre increase to the price of petrol.
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This would send the petrol price soaring above R25/litre.
And with an increase to the price of fuel, so transport and food, among others, increases too.
While packing the car away and storing it in mothballs until the petrol price decreases drastically is not an option, there are ways motorists can save fuel by driving more efficiently.
Here are 5 fuel saving tips:
1. Plan trips ahead of time
Doing this enables you to pick the most efficient route.
2. Keep revs between 2 500 and 3 000rpm
The faster you ‘spin’ your engine, the more fuel it consumes. Lower revs consume less fuel because there is less friction.
3. Avoid idling for longer than 30 seconds
Reducing idling time saves both fuel and money. Idling a car for two minutes is equivalent to driving 1.6km. A car idling for an hour will use more than 3.5l of petrol. Switching off at the robots, and then switching the engine back on to pull off is more fuel efficient than idling at the red light.
4. Ensure tyres are properly inflated
Under-inflated tyres can easily cost a driver up to 15% on fuel efficiency. This is because an under-inflated tyre sags at the sides, causing an increase to the rolling resistance, which uses more fuel.
5. Ensure maintenance is up-to-date
Regular services and tune-ups ensure your car’s engine runs optimally and efficiently. Poor maintenance negatively affects the car’s performance, causing it to use more fuel.
Keep your vehicle serviced regularly, check those tyres frequently, and try to cut down on idling where possible.
Source: ArriveAlive
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