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Stretching your fuel dollar
- Stretching your fuel dollar.
Fuel prices have shot up this year, so it makes sense to think hard about fuel usage.
Nowadays, putting $20 or $30 worth of fuel in your tank doesn't go far. The rising cost of fuel means we're all faced with the challenge of making it 'stretch' a bit further.
Lots of things can affect how much fuel your vehicle uses, such as the way you drive, the type of vehicle you use and driving conditions. Here are some tips to help you save money at the pump and be kinder to our environment.
- Think before you drive. If it's practical, could you walk, bike or take public transport instead? If it's safe, could you walk to your local shops or dairy?
- Plan your travel. About a third of New Zealand car trips are under 2km long. Short trips use 20 percent more fuel driving when your engine is cold. Combine multiple trips into one or two a week if you can.
- Drive smoothly. Accelerate steadily and smoothly. In a manual car, change through all the gears. If you drive an automatic, choose 'economy' or 'overdrive' to keep the engine speed down.
- Don't speed. By travelling at 100km/h instead of 110km/h, you can cut about 13 percent off your fuel bill.
- Look ahead a few cars. Check what's happening up ahead - maintain a safe following distance, and you'll maintain a regular speed. This uses less fuel than accelerating and braking all the time.
- Reduce idling time. If you're going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds, switch the engine off - as long as it's safe to do so. When you start from cold, move off steadily to give the engine time to warm up.
- Check your tyre pressure. Keeping tyres pumped to the maker's recommended pressure gives you significant fuel savings. Check the tyre pressure at least once a month.
- Look after your vehicle. Have the wheel alignment and engine tuning (including air filter and spark plugs) checked regularly. A well maintained car can use 10-20 percent less fuel.
- Watch that air-conditioning. Only use it if you need to, as it can eat up to 10 percent more fuel. Same with the rear window demister - turn it off when it's done its job. Roof racks or driving with the window open can increase air resistance and fuel consumption by 20 percent.
- Keep your load down. The more weight your vehicle carries, the more fuel it uses. An extra 50kg can increase your fuel bill by 2 percent.
- Take advantage of discounts. Most supermarkets are using fuel discounts to encourage shoppers. They'll often increase their fuel discounts on long weekends, so time your shopping to make the most of these if possible.
