With gasoline and diesel prices soaring, it can be a good practice to try and save fuel by more informed driving and following a few tricks that may seem trivial but make a difference. Let’s begin.
Where to fill up
Let’s say right away that the first “trick” to save on costs when traveling by car is to try to fill up in petrol stations where the prices are better. There are significant differences between some cities and others, as well as between road types. In this sense, theand gas stations on highways and ring roads tend to be more expensive. However, in general, those that are defined as “independent”, ie that do not belong to the big brands (Esso, Total, Eni, etc.) are generally cheaper. The same goes for the service stations which are located near the hypermarkets, which often offer discounts on supplies for an expense in the point of sale. Very useful are the different applications for smartphones (both iOS and Android) that can be used to locate the cheapest gas stations. In the end, it is best to avoid refueling on weekends because these days the price of fuel always tends to rise.
Trick: It is better to do riforniment in the morning rather than at noon. The reason is that the fuel temperature is lower and therefore it takes longer to burn and becomes more efficient.
Go easy on the accelerator
It is winter and we start the car. It is cold and therefore it is normal that it takes a few minutes for all the circuits to reach their temperature of optimal exercise. Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that if we press theaccelerator, the engine will warm up faster and offer better response when starting. Error! Mechanical components need a few minutes to reach temperature, and we won’t reach it straining the engine unnecessarily, we can only make it rev up and waste fuel. Once in Once in motion, ideally, second gear is engaged after two or three seconds or after traveling about 6 or 8 meters. Then, you can enter the third after five seconds, although it will depend on the type of road you are on, the general condition of the road, etc. Not “pulling” the gears too much can save 11% of fuel. Driving at 140 kilometers per hour on the motorway instead of 120 means 20% more fuel costs. Very important to save fuel is to avoid sudden accelerations. So it is advisable maintain a uniform speed trying to touch the brakes as little as possible.
Trick: If you are sure you need to stop, release the accelerator and let the car slow down naturally by itself. This way you don’t waste fuel. And when you brake, the brake performance will be lower.
Heating and air conditioning: when and how
Heating and air conditioning are sometimes necessary, but they don’t work properly right away. Heating directly uses the heat generated by the engine and this process takes a few minutes. Air conditioning, for its part, has a device that generates only cold air, but also in this case it needs some components to reach the temperature. In summary: both systems need a few minutes to function properly, and until then, in practice, displaces the air in an inappropriate way, generating unnecessary energy consumption, that must be generated produced by the engine that has to take care of charging the car battery. In practice, the engine “gets stressed” and requires more fuel than it would take just to move the car.
Trick: When driving in the city, opening the windows is more efficient than using air conditioning (if there is not too much smog). On the contrary, at higher speeds, an opposite effect is created, ie the car has greater air resistance and “brakes”. THEn practice, if you want to travel at 100 km / h, you use more fuel with the windows down than with the air conditioning on.
The importance of good maintenance
To save fuel, the engine must remain in top condition, as well as the i systems and components that are part of the car. Anything that is not so will generate consumption, as it will hinder its performance. Filters, lubricants, fluids and other elements must be in the correct condition and this is only possible if the maintenance periods recommended by the car manufacturer are followed. Extend the time before going to the workshop it will only consume more and jeopardize the functioning of some of those fundamental components. All the work done by the engine is transmitted to the wheels to allow the car to move. These must always be in perfect condition. In the event that they present irregularities in their structure or excess or defect in pressure, in addition to constituting a danger for circulation because it alters the behavior of the vehicle, they generate additional work for the engine, and this is noted in the level of fuel in the tank.
Trick: You know the use of tires Does a deflated 0.5 bar reduce fuel efficiency by 2% and 4% respectively in urban and suburban areas? Spend 10 minutes and check your blood pressure (or have it checked by a tire specialist) at least once a month.
Don’t carry unnecessary items… leave them at home
Many motorists tend to fill in the Baggage with things they rarely use. In the end, this is an additional weight than the car itself, and the more it weighs, the more the engine has to run. Some calculations indicate that for every 100 kilos more, consumption increases by 5%. The same goes for the roof rack. Installing and removing it takes time and sometimes stress, but leaving it on the roof of the car presupposes an excess of air resistance that must be “saved” by the engine with more work, and consequently more fuel demand.
Trick: If you are on a road trip and have a car full of suitcases, avoid filling up with petrol before you leave. This allows you to have a lower weight of the car and lower consumption. And maybe during the trip you can find a petrol station with cheaper prices …