How to make your fuel go further

Are higher fuel prices making your joyrides feel like luxury experiences?

With ever increasing inflation and skyrocketing fuel prices adding to our financial challenges we thought you could all do with a few tips to help ease the financial pressures.

We are all guilty of a few driving habits that increase our fuel consumption and reduce fuel efficiency. But if we adopt fuel-conscious driving habits and maintain our vehicles we can try make our money go that little bit further (and we will even reduce our environmental impact!).

Here are 10 ways to achieve better fuel efficiency

• Proper Tyre Maintenance

Yes, on the top of the list is your tyres. Underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance, increasing your vehicle’s contact patch (footprint), which reduces fuel efficiency.

If you keep your tyres properly aligned so that they all point in the same direction and roll smoothly without excessive friction you can improve your fuel consumption. Misaligned tyres can cause uneven tyre wear, with parts of the tyres dragging instead of rolling freely. This increased rolling resistance makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle, which leads to higher fuel consumption.

So, if you ensure your tyres are properly inflated and aligned you can save around 3-5% on your fuel costs. It doesn’t sound like much, but over time that small savings can add up. Additionally, properly inflated tyres contribute to better overall vehicle efficiency and safety, increases the lifespan of your tyres.

Regularly check your tyre pressure and inflate your tyres according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, which can usually be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb (the Safety Compliance Certification Label).

• Lighten the Load

Now, I don’t mean you should take trips on your own and kick out your passengers, but you should remove any unnecessary items from your load bed or interior if you can. The extra weight decreases your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. An extra 48kg of weight can increase your fuel bill by 2%.

• Regular Maintenance

Follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and keep the engine well-tuned. Consult your vehicle’s owner manual for its recommended Service and Maintenance Schedule. It can vary between every 5,000km, 10,000km or 15,000kms depending on the make, model and mileage.

Regularly check underneath your vehicle for any signs of leaks, including fuel, oil, or other fluids. Fuel leaks, whether from the fuel tank, fuel lines, or fuel injectors, can lead to a significant waste of fuel. Even small leaks can result in the loss of valuable fuel over time, increasing your fuel costs.

Pay attention to any unusual odours or sounds coming from your vehicle, as these can be indicators of leaks or exhaust system issues.

If you have any concerns, the best thing to do is to bring your vehicle in and have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. Timely repairs can save you money on fuel and prevent more extensive damage.

• Drive Smoothly

You may be tempted to put the pedal to the metal and drive it like you stole it, but unfortunately, that comes with a hefty fuel bill. Instead, try avoiding aggressive driving behaviours such as rapid acceleration, hard braking and speeding. By using gradual acceleration and anticipating stops so that you slowly decelerate or coast to slow down you will reduce your fuel consumption.

• Use Cruise Control

When driving on highways, use cruise control to maintain a consistent speed and prevent unnecessary fuel consumption.

Cruise control aims to maintain a steady engine RPM (revolutions per minute) based on the desired speed and the vehicle’s gear ratio. This can help keep the engine operating in a more fuel-efficient range, as abrupt changes in RPM can lead to increased fuel consumption.

• Reduce Idling

Turning off your engine if you anticipate being parked for an extended period is generally a good practice to save fuel and reduce emissions. Idling consumes fuel without providing any meaningful benefit, and it can be detrimental to the environment and your wallet.

• Add Aerodynamic Improvements

Adding aerodynamic accessories like a tonneau cover can help reduce wind resistance and therefore improve fuel efficiency. The exact fuel savings you can achieve by adding a tonneau cover will depend on various factors, including your vehicle’s make and model, driving conditions, and driving habits. However, some studies have suggested that tonneau covers can improve fuel efficiency by a few percentage points, particularly during highway driving.

• Use the Proper Fuel

Use the manufacturer-recommended fuel type and quality. Using higher-octane fuel when it’s not required won’t improve performance but can increase costs.

• Skip the Scenic Route

Plan your routes efficiently by using navigation apps or devices to find the best routes with minimal traffic and fewer stops.

• Drive in the Correct Gear

Driving in a lower gear than necessary uses more fuel because it increases the engine’s RPM. Be sure to shift into a higher gear as soon as it is practical and safe to do so. This will help maintain a stable cruising speed by utilising the engine’s torque, and you will notice the torque assisting in the vehicle’s acceleration.

Answers to Common Questions

Will you get more fuel if you fill up your car in the morning when the temperatures are colder?

Yes, it is true that petrol and diesel are denser when it is colder, and as a result, you get slightly more fuel for the same volume when you fill up your tank in the morning or during cooler temperatures. However, the difference in fuel density due to temperature changes is relatively small and typically not significant enough to result in a noticeable change in your vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency or performance.

Will you save on fuel if you use the aircon and close your windows?

Driving with the air conditioning on and the windows closed is generally more fuel-efficient than having the windows open, especially at higher speeds of 75km/h or above. This is because open windows can increase aerodynamic drag, making your vehicle work harder and use more fuel to maintain speed. However, the fuel savings from using the A/C sparingly or turning it off when not needed can still outweigh the small aerodynamic effect of open windows in some situations, particularly at lower speeds or in stop-and-go traffic.

Will corroded battery cables cause the alternator to work harder, thus use more fuel?

Corroded battery cables can indeed cause electrical resistance in your vehicle’s electrical system, including the charging system. When electrical connections are compromised due to corrosion, the alternator may have to work harder to generate and maintain the electrical charge in the battery, which could potentially reduce fuel efficiency. However, the impact of corroded battery cables on fuel efficiency is usually relatively minor compared to other factors that affect fuel consumption, such as driving habits and engine performance. That said, addressing corroded battery cables as part of regular vehicle maintenance is a good practice to ensure the proper functioning of your vehicle’s electrical system and prevent potential issues.

Does coasting and coasting to decelerate save fuel?

Coasting and coasting to decelerate can save fuel in certain situations but may not be as effective in vehicles with traditional automatic transmissions, as they often disengage the engine from the wheels when you lift off the accelerator.

The D-MAX engine is equipped with a fuel delivery cutoff during deceleration. This means that when you release the throttle and the engine enters an overrun situation, it ceases fuel delivery. For instance, when coasting downhill, no fuel is consumed, further contributing to fuel savings.

Do bicycle racks on your roof increase fuel consumption?

Yes, roof-mounted bicycle racks can indeed increase fuel consumption due to the added weight and aerodynamic drag. However, by using efficient rack designs or by using a rear-mounted bike rack or a hitch-mounted rack instead, and by being mindful of driving habits, you can minimise the impact on fuel efficiency when transporting bicycles on your vehicle.

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Remember that driving habits have a significant impact on fuel efficiency. Practicing these tips consistently and maintaining your Isuzu D-Max or Mu-X can lead to noticeable improvements in fuel consumption.

Get in touch if your vehicle is due for a service and you would like the team at Autoworld to take care of it for you.