by Bhadase Maharaj

Created on: May 12, 2009

A properly maintained vehicle is the key to improving fuel consumption which results in noticeable savings. At a first glance the way you drive should be addressed. Unnecessary idling of a vehicle contributes a great deal to increased fuel consumption. Idling the engine for long periods of time forces it to operate below peak temperature which has the effect of impairing fuel combustion. This has a direct effect on increasing the accumulation of deposits and ends up being harmful to the environment.

Slowing down improves the fuel consumption of a vehicle. Do not go above the speed limit. Rapid acceleration burns more fuel than maintaining a particular safe speed. Use the cruise control if the vehicle is equipped with one. This reduces speed associated with acceleration. Lighten up the load in the vehicle. Carrying around extra weight is not going to improve fuel consumption at all. Remove roof racks and car top carriers when not in use. They contribute to the vehicle's resistance to wind and inhibit the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Reduce or avoid engine warm up time in winter. It is not going to get you warm any faster than if you are sitting in the vehicle driving nor will it save you money on gas.

Changing the oil in the vehicle improves the performance which can avoid high repair costs later down the road. Replacing dirty air filters improves fuel efficiency considerably after all; the engine does require clean air to function properly. Maintain tire pressure to the recommended level. Under inflated tires reduces fuel efficiency by a considerable amount and also causes the tires to wear out faster. Replace the fuel filter periodically. The accumulation of debris in the fuel tank can be transferred to other sensitive sections in the engine if the fuel filter is dirty. A clogged fuel filter will eventually make the vehicle immovable.

Proper brake maintenance reduces the need to drag your feet on the pedal. This improves fuel consumption because the vehicle can come to a stop faster. Have the spark plugs checked by a professional. Spark plugs have a definite role to play in the actual engine's performance and if they are worn, will have a direct impact on fuel consumption. Avoid using the air condition unit whenever possible. The AC unit spikes fuel consumption by about 26% in city driving and about 9% on the highway. Do transmission maintenance as recommended in the vehicle's manual. It will improve the overall performance tremendously. If the Check Engine light comes on, try to have this addressed very quickly. It can result in fixing a potentially major problem soon which can save you lots of money.

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