One way to cut back on the amount you spend is to buy a new and more fuel efficient diesel or electric car (there aren't many). If you have recently purchased a new car then you probably won't want to go researching into another car and go through the process of buying it! However it is worth remembering for when you do come to buy your next car. Remember that research pays off so you can get the best car for the best price.
Problems
It may not be as enjoyable to drive as a petrol.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Car Wheel Alignment
If your tyres appear to be unevenly worn then you should get your car checked out by a mechanic because the wheels made need to be correctly aligned. Uneven wear is the best sign that your wheels are not correctly aligned. Improper alignment affects the handling of your car and increases fuel consumption.
If you think your car wheels need to be aligned then you should give your local garage or dealer a call to see what they say, it shouldn't cost much more than £50. If it sounds to expensive and you have your next service coming up soon you could double check with them then about the wheel alignment. Remember again that we are talking about the overall maintenance of your car, so it not only affects you petrol consumption but also your driving experience and value when you come to sell the car.
Problems
You may not have the money spare now to get it done, if you haven't got the money it will have to wait but it is recommended you get it done as soon as possible.
If you think your car wheels need to be aligned then you should give your local garage or dealer a call to see what they say, it shouldn't cost much more than £50. If it sounds to expensive and you have your next service coming up soon you could double check with them then about the wheel alignment. Remember again that we are talking about the overall maintenance of your car, so it not only affects you petrol consumption but also your driving experience and value when you come to sell the car.
Problems
You may not have the money spare now to get it done, if you haven't got the money it will have to wait but it is recommended you get it done as soon as possible.
Chip Your Engine
Chipping or remapping an engine is normally done to increase power, however it is now being used to also improve fuel economy. Some chipping companies even claim improvements of up to 16%. Having your engine remapped will improve the power so you will have to be careful not to end up using more fuel, restrain that right foot!
Problems
It isn't cheap to do, it will cost at least a couple of hundred of pounds. A quote on a Ford Fiesta 1.4l came back as £299 which does include VAT and fitting. Over the long-term you should get your money back though in lower fuel bills and also a more powerful/economical car should be easier for you to sell over other sellers of the same car.
Problems
It isn't cheap to do, it will cost at least a couple of hundred of pounds. A quote on a Ford Fiesta 1.4l came back as £299 which does include VAT and fitting. Over the long-term you should get your money back though in lower fuel bills and also a more powerful/economical car should be easier for you to sell over other sellers of the same car.
Regular Car Oil Change
Having clean oil in your can reduces the wear caused by friction of moving engine parts and also helps improve fuel consumption. For this reason it is recommended that you have the oil in your car regularly changed.
If possible keep track of when you last changed oil. Ideally on a petrol car you should change the oil once a year or every 7500 miles, so taking note of your last oil change means you know when to change the oil again. For a diesel engine it is recommended you change the oil every 6 months or 3000 miles.
Problems
If you don't know how to change the oil in your car ask your garage to do it when you go for a service. It will cost you whether you do it yourself or get a garage do it, however it will help keep your cars engine in good condition which will make it more enjoyable to drive and easier to sell in the future.
If possible keep track of when you last changed oil. Ideally on a petrol car you should change the oil once a year or every 7500 miles, so taking note of your last oil change means you know when to change the oil again. For a diesel engine it is recommended you change the oil every 6 months or 3000 miles.
Problems
If you don't know how to change the oil in your car ask your garage to do it when you go for a service. It will cost you whether you do it yourself or get a garage do it, however it will help keep your cars engine in good condition which will make it more enjoyable to drive and easier to sell in the future.
Reduce Weight Of Your Car
If you are keeping lots of items in your boot that you don't need then take them out! If you still have the Roof Rack on from the summer holidays then take it off and leave it in the garage until you need it next year. On average every 50kg extra will increase your petrol consumption by 2%. There is no need to use your car as a moving storage box, keeping your golf clubs etc in your garage/loft/shed instead of your car will save you money.
External fixings on your car (like a roof box) also increase your cars aerodynamic drag because they change the air flow over your car. So to travel at the speed you normally travel at the engine has to work harder using more fuel. So remove internal and external items from your car because they are weighing you down and affecting your aerodynamics!
External fixings on your car (like a roof box) also increase your cars aerodynamic drag because they change the air flow over your car. So to travel at the speed you normally travel at the engine has to work harder using more fuel. So remove internal and external items from your car because they are weighing you down and affecting your aerodynamics!
Maintain Your Tyres
Pump Up Your Tyres - Under inflated tyres increase resistance which harms your fuel consumption. It is estimated 50% of tyres on the road are under inflated. Check your car manual for the recommended pressure then go to your local petrol station and use their pump, this is normally free! If your tyres are under inflated by 20% this will result in a 3% fuel consumption increase and reduce the tyre life by 30%. Pumping your tyres up is one of the easiest and quickest ways to instantly improve your fuel consumption.
Check For Wear - If your tyres are bald this is not only illegal but dangerous and harming your fuel economy. For new tyres you should check out MyTyres, who are Europe's largest online tyre retailer, or contact your local garage.
Fit Thinner Tyres - Thicker tyres have more rolling resistance which means higher fuel consumption. Fitting thinner tyres will improve your fuel consumption, however your car will not handle as well with thinner tyres. Always seek advice of a garage before buying thinner tyres.
Check For Wear - If your tyres are bald this is not only illegal but dangerous and harming your fuel economy. For new tyres you should check out MyTyres, who are Europe's largest online tyre retailer, or contact your local garage.
Fit Thinner Tyres - Thicker tyres have more rolling resistance which means higher fuel consumption. Fitting thinner tyres will improve your fuel consumption, however your car will not handle as well with thinner tyres. Always seek advice of a garage before buying thinner tyres.
Nitrogen in Tyre
With the rising prices of petroleum based fuels - most remarkably gasoline, the motoring public is looking for ways to get better the fuel efficiency of their cars. While the reality that the tires play a major role in the fuel efficiency of a car is forever ignored, the US Energy Department stated that by having under inflated tires, we lose as much as two million gallons of gasoline daily. The most commonly used gas to inflate a car’s tire is oxygen. The use of ordinary gas can lead to earlier diffusion which will result to an under inflated tire. The answer to this quandary is the use of nitrogen. Since nitrogen diffuses slower than oxygen and is more plentiful, the gas is a valid solution to the problem.
TireLast System, a company situated in Lafayette, Colorado, capitalized on this and developed their UltraAir nitrogen. UltraAir nitrogen gas is a compressed gas devoid of oxygen and moisture.
Apply of UltraAir results to lesser dispersion and therefore decreases the incidences of under inflated tires. The use of UltraAir is so benefiting that the company received requests for a self-service nitrogen tire filling station. This is apparent in their development of an UltraAir Nitrogen Vending Machine which is card operated for use by car and light truck owners.
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