In our eagerness to save fuel (and money) we can fall into certain situations that instead of helping, will harm the car.
We have all received advice on fuel saving, so we try to correct driving habits or adopt certain customs that we are not sure if they work. Do you know what is true and what is false? Follow the following tips from Proautoenthusiast :
Of course, fuel is one of the largest and most constant investments that our car demands, so we are always looking for ways to reduce consumption, even more, in a city as congested and large as the Mexican capital.
While it is true that our behavior influences driving, there are some urban legends that will only put our safety at risk, it is important to know what to do and what not to do to improve fuel efficiency.
1. Shift gears at high revs
In the case of cars with manual transmission, it is true that you will spend more fuel if you are used to changing gears at higher revolutions. However, it is also not good to force the engine too low.
Having said that, pay attention to the tachometer of your car, since it is not recommended that you circulate below 1,500 revolutions per minute or you will have to abuse the throttle to obtain power, which translates into loss of fuel.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and stay in the suggested rev range for efficient driving.
2. Automatics use more fuel
A manual transmission will allow you to have more control over the use of fuel, but until a few years ago, this statement was no longer true. Currently, automatic transmissions can be more efficient thanks to the development of technology, you just have to take a quick look at the manufacturers’ data sheets for you to see.
3. Small cars are more economical than large ones
Do not be guided by the dimensions of a vehicle or you will be disappointed, since there are many factors that influence its fuel efficiency, such as the engine, its bodywork, materials, transmission, among others.
Currently, there are medium and large vehicles with advanced transmissions and even hybrid motorization (in addition to other technologies), which allows them to use less fuel than a compact car.
4. Do you always use the air conditioning?
There are drivers who use the air conditioning under any conditions, but this can translate into greater fuel waste in the case of using it in the city and in heavy traffic areas, so it will be better to roll down the windows.
On the other hand, when driving on the highway, try to roll up your windows and turn on the air conditioning, because the vehicle will present greater resistance to the wind and you will have to exert more pressure on the accelerator pedal.
5. Warm up the engine before driving
This custom of preheating the engine to get better vehicle performance is a thing of the past, but some people believe that it works to reduce fuel consumption.
Thanks to today’s fuel injection systems, the vehicle can be started immediately, so you should not do this before starting your journey. You will only spend more gas!
6. Driving with little fuel in the tank
Many drivers believe that it is not necessary to fill the fuel tank because they have noticed an improvement in performance when driving with fewer liters, in addition to saving money when recharging.
This is totally false. Consumption will be the same as with a full tank; however, the habit of keeping the tank at its minimum capacity can damage some components.
7. More expensive gasoline lasts longer
Do you buy premium gasoline for your vehicle in order to improve consumption? This is false. Although this type of fuel benefits some engine components, its efficiency is the same as the lower priced one.
On the other hand, some brands, such as Ford , have pointed out that there is a slight improvement in consumption in vehicles with large engines. To get the best performance from your car, pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
8. Tire pressure at maximum fuel economy
If you are one of those who believe that having more air in your tires will help you save fuel, you are wrong. You will only get excessive tread wear and spend 5% more gas. You must maintain the pressure indicated by the manufacturer so that the efficiency is correct.