Smart driving: 12 Easy steps to lowering fuel costs

No need to buy a new car or some fancy shmancy device if improving fuel efficiency in cars is high on your list. What you need doesn't cost a cent!

Improving fuel efficiency in cars

Desperately want to lower your monthly fuel costs?

Join the club.

Driving your entire family around in today's horrendous traffic—that's gotten Metro Manila motorists crawling through rush hour—is, no doubt, putting a dent in your wallet.

Surprisingly, the solution doesn't cost a cent! Your driving habits are key to improving fuel efficiency in cars.

At the #DriveSmartDoMore Driving Challenge Shell FuelSave event, Shell Fuels Scientist, Mae Ascan, and other local professional drivers such as Louis Ramirez, shared tips on how to achieve fuel efficiency, which lowers fuel costs.

Click Next to know what they are!

1. Accelerate slowly

A heavy foot on the accelerator burns more fuel.

2. Brake slowly

Sudden braking reduces a car's momentum. This causes the engine to consume more fuel than necessary to make up for the lost momentum.

Your best bet is to anticipate the road ahead. Say you see a pedestrian from afar; gradually reduce your speed instead of waiting last minute to come to a full stop (effectively terrifying the poor person). The slow break keeps your car rolling so the engine does less work when you speed up again.

3. Understand momentum

Make use of long stretches of road that have up- and down-hill segments. Create more momentum when you are down hill by accelerating slowly. This way, the engine will require less power climbing up hill.

4. Avoid excess idling

Idling, or leaving a car running, while the airconditioning is on wastes fuel. If you know a stop will last more than 10 seconds, kill the engine.

5. Avoid high speeds

Run at 85 kph and above and wind resistance will push back at your car, so to speak. This causes the car to work more to cut through the resistance. Any time engines get a workout, they consume more fuel. So, remember: the greater the speed, the greater the resistance.

Avoid anything that causes a drag like luggage on top of the car. If you've got a roof-mounted bike rack, attach it only when you're going on a biking trip. (And perhaps consider replacing it with a back-mounted one.) Aerodynamics affects fuel consumption.

Lastly, not only is running too slow or fast unsafe, but it's also not fuel efficient. Follow the highway speed limits for safety and fuel efficiency.

6. Use airconditioning sparingly

Switch off the airconditioning when possible. It's best to do this at night, but do so with caution and safety in mind. Don't roll windows all the way down, and watch your surroundings for anyone suspicious.

Read: Top 20 Crime-prone barangays in Quezon City (and how to stay safe)

7. Gas up at night

Some fuel evaporates during the daytime which prevents you from getting your money's worth.

8. Fill the tank up

Doing so means fewer trips to the gas station.

9. Avoid carrying excess weight

Remove heavy, unnecessary items from the car. Excess weight makes the engine work more, which, again, requires more fuel.

10. Plan

Before any trip, map out stops, look for faster and less congested routes, and avoid rush hour.

11. Maintain the recommended tire pressure

Tire pressure that's below what's recommended causes the engine to work more.

12. Follow the maintenance schedule

Keep your car in tip-top condition!

Being fuel efficienct means saving on fuel costs!

Got more tips that aren't here? Share them below.

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Written by

Erika Coronel

English