Saving Money on Petrol is Simple
Keep Up With Routine Vehicle and Car Maintenance for Fuel Economy
Jun 8, 2009
Interviewed when petrol prices first started to surge in New Zealand, Mr Cranefield told the author that drivers could save themselves a lot of money if they simply kept up with routine vehicle engine maintenance. The biggest culprits behind increased fuel usage, Mr Cranefield said, were congested air filters and under-inflated tyres.
Routine Oil Changes and Engines
Neglecting routine oil changes caused increased friction and labouring of an engine, which subsequently increased petrol consumption, Mr Cranefield said.
Clogged Oil Filters and Petrol Consumption
The most common mistake drivers made was neglecting to replace the air filter, especially after a summer spent driving on dusty roads, Mr Cranefield said. The more clogged the air filter, the harder the engine had to work to get air to mix with the fuel, he said.
A clogged air filter alone could result in a ten percent increase in fuel consumption, he said.
Checking Tyre Pressure
Millions of dollars worth of fuel was lost each year due to vehicles being driven with insufficient tyre pressure, Mr Cranefield said. Drivers needed to get into the habit of checking their tyre pressure regularly, just as they would put in fuel, he said.
"Tyres should be checked every couple of weeks but as long as the wheels keep going around a lot of people don't worry about it - or they leave it until they get a flat tyre," Mr Cranefield said.
On its website, the Motor Trade Association (MTA) also identified routine engine maintenance as the biggest factor in saving fuel. It said drivers could expect to claw back ten to twenty percent of fuel costs if they kept engine services in check.
The MTA had the following additional advice for saving gas.
MTA Tips for Better Fuel Economy:
- Keep loads to a minimum. The heavier the vehicle, the more fuel it uses. A loaded roof rack could decrease a car's fuel efficiency by five percent.
- Efficient driving- that is with smooth acceleration, cornering and braking- not only saved fuel but extended the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tyres.
- Air conditiong called on power from the engine and additional fuel so should only be used when essential.
- Don't leave an engine to idle unnecessarily. The idea that a vehicle should be allowed to "warm up" is a myth. An engine actually warmed up faster when driving.
- Keep on top of scheduled vehicle services. Any unusual sounds, smells, or noises should be looked at sooner rather than later.
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