Save money every time you driveIf you make every drop really count, you’ll make your fuel and your money go further.
10 tips for you and your car
1 Service your engine
Did you know a poorly maintained engine can increase your fuel consumption by up to 50%? Just replacing dirty spark plugs can improve your fuel consumption by up to 5%.
2 Keep your tyres at the right pressure
If your tyres are under inflated by just 1psi, your fuel efficiency can be reduced by up to 3%. So pump up those tyres up once a week or whenever you fill up.
3 Avoid carrying excess weight
For every extra 100 lbs (45 kg) you carry, your fuel efficiency can drop by 1-2%. So clear your car of unnecessary items that just add weight to your vehicle when you can.
4 Take the roof rack off
If you’re not using your roof rack or your roof box, remove it. A roof rack can affect the aerodynamic efficiency of your vehicle, creating drag which can result in your car using up to 5% more fuel.
5 Check the air filters
Air filters keep impurities from damaging your engine. Remember to check and replace your air filter if clogged.
6 Use the correct oil
Using the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant can help improve fuel efficiency by 1-2%. Higher quality motor oils can also help your engine operate more efficiently. If you’re using Shell Fuel Economy, Shell Helix will help you squeeze even more out of every drop by helping your engine run extra smoothly.
7 Check the seal on your fuel cap
Fuel evaporates every time you open the fuel cap. Make sure your cap is properly screwed on every time after every fill up.
8 Plan your trips
Cutting down on the time spent in the car is the easiest way to conserve fuel. To reduce driving time, combine all your short trips and errands into a single journey or call ahead to avoid wasted journeys.
9 Keep hydrated
Don’t forget to drink water. When you’re well hydrated, you concentrate better. Keep a bottle to hand as you drive and make sure you drink to help keep yourself cool and focused when you drive. And remember, if you ever feel drowsy while driving, pull over and rest at the first opportunity.
10 Keep calm
That way you’ll be able to drive smoothly and anticipate what’s going on ahead of you. When you keep calm, you also drive with plenty of distance between your car and others.
10 tips on how to drive more efficiently
1 Drive smoothly
If you drive aggressively, you can burn up to a third more fuel than if you drive smoothly. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as even as possible.
2 Use higher gears
When you drive in higher gear, you’ll use less fuel, so change up a gear whenever you can.
3 Keep the windows closed
Wind blowing through an open window can slow you down. And, to compensate, you’re likely to speed up. Instead of opening windows why not use your car’s internal ventilation system, just so long as this doesn’t make you feel drowsy.
4 Use cruise contro
lUsing cruise control on major roads can help you maintain a constant speed and helps you make all those drops count.
5 Avoid excess idling
Stuck in a jam? Idling gets you nowhere, but still burns fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue until you need it. As a rule, if you’ve stopped for over 10 seconds, switch off your engine.
6 Avoid over-revving
Change gear in good time when you pull away or when you’re accelerating. Never ‘redline’ the rev counter.
7 Avoid high speeds
The faster you go, the more wind resistance you’ll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed. Remember that according to the UK Department of Transport figures, at 70mph you could be using up to 30 per cent more fuel than at 50mph. So keep it slow.
8 Use air-conditioning sparingly
Sometimes it’s hard to avoid using your air-conditioning, but remember that it does put added strain on your engine on hot or cold days. And, it increases your fuel consumption by up to 8%. On temperate days, you can always use your car’s internal ventilation system instead.
9 Avoid rush hour
If you can travel outside of peak times, you’ll spend less time stuck in traffic and use less fuel drops as a result.
10 Keep a constant speed
Instead of coasting when you reach a downward slope, maintain steady engine revs. This will help you to maintain a constant speed rather than picking up speed and is likely to have a positive effect on your fuel consumption.
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