With the high cost of living, the rise in bills and skyrocketing fuel prices, once again above 2 euros per liter at the beginning of 2023, saving on car consumption becomes crucial to being able to get to the end of the month without problems, especially for who travels many km by car per week. There is a small detail that few consider but which can save you a lot. Let’s find out what it is.
There are certainly cars that consume more and others that consume less, but there are also various factors that affect fuel consumption and you can optimize the fuel consumption of each car, even the most fuel-hungry one.
Certainly the main differences between the fuel consumption of cars depend mainly on the fuel system. Although petrol engines have made a lot of progress lately, especially the small three-cylinder and turbocharged ones, diesel and LPG engines are still on other levels of consumption. But the maximum autonomy is obtained from the full hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines.
Even if you own a car that isn’t exactly fuel-efficient, it’s important to know that you can get the most out of it using small but effective tricks to save fuel. Some are corny and everyone knows them. For example, always going flat out, cars consume much more, and for stops of two or more minutes, queues, traffic jams, and particularly long traffic lights, turning off the engine can make the difference in the long run, even if you have to be careful not to too much battery.
If at a distance of a hundred meters we see a queue, a red light or one about to turn that color, continuing to accelerate is useless: more fuel is consumed and the pads are also worn out: it is better to slow down the vehicle in neutral or in a high gear, using the engine brake. And then there’s another detail that few pay attention to, but which is fundamental: tire pressure.
Tire pressure can have a big impact on fuel consumption
Tires have a rolling index. It is the ability to precisely “roll” on the asphalt. The smoother the rolling, the less friction the rubber offers, and consequently less engine thrust will be needed to maintain the desired speed. Rolling is a variable parameter from tire to tyre. Tires such as the Continental EcoContact offer a good rolling index and thus help reduce fuel consumption.
But the rolling indicated in the tire specifications depends on the inflation pressure. Each tire must in fact be inflated to the right point, according to vehicle specifications. A flat tire will roll worse and therefore offer more friction on the asphalt. The natural consequence is una greater resistance to movement and an expansion of consumption.
Maintaining the right tire pressure is not only essential for saving on fuel consumption, but also for safety reasons: flat tires worsen road holdingespecially when cornering. To know the correct tire pressure of your car you can check in the owner’s manualbut it is usually also indicated in the fuel filler flap. Important: the correct pressure depends on the load of the car. If you always travel alone you have to inflate the tires to a minimum, but with a full load you need more pressure.
