Top 5 Surefire Ways to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Owning a vehicle is simply wonderful; that is one fact with which most people will totally agree. Just think about it, you don't have to rely on public transportation all the time; you can go wherever you want, whenever you want and in case of medical emergencies you can drive to the hospital instead of waiting for the paramedics. Needless to say, there are numerous benefits to having a personal vehicle.


There is, however, one not-so-interesting aspect about owning a vehicle and that is spending money on fuel. These are hard times and so most people are trying to cut down on spending. If you have been at pains trying to figure out how you can reduce the amount of cash you spend on fuel every month, then here are a few tips you will find helpful.

1) Don't Speed

If you are an adrenaline junkie who gets his or her dose from speeding over the speed limit on the freeway, you should think twice. As you might be aware, the faster you drive the more fuel your car will consume, because your engine will be forced to do more work. For example, driving at 75 miles per hour, instead of 60 can increase fuel consumption by more than 10%. Simply put, if there is not an emergency, just go easy.

2) Your Mechanic is your Friend

Cars are machines, yes, but they too need some tender love and care. There are people who only go to the mechanic when their vehicles are about to give out completely; this is definitely not a good thing. It is important to take your vehicle for maintenance on a regular basis. Doing so could lead to the unearthing of problems you never knew existed that might have been causing your car to consume more fuel.

3) Check your Tires

Tires that are not inflated to the correct pressure may cause restriction of tire movement because of added friction. This will, in turn, cause the engine to work harder and consequently consume more fuel. You may think that this is a minor issue, but you will be surprised at just how much more you could be paying over a period of a few months because of driving around on improperly inflated tires. It is recommended that you check tire pressure on a weekly basis and also when going for long drives.

4) Shed a Few Pounds

The more baggage you have on your vehicle, the more fuel it will consume because of the extra strain placed on the engine. While there are times when it is almost completely unavoidable to exceed the recommended load capacity, this does not mean that you make it a habit.

5) Plan Well in Advance

If you are thinking of travelling far, make sure everything is planned out. Pick roads that are less likely to have heavy traffic because, as you know, this is one of the factors that contribute to increased fuel consumption. It would also be a good idea to set a maximum number of stops that you will make along the trip because starting a vehicle consumes extra fuel and so does braking. If you can find a shorter route to your destination, the better because obviously, the more time you spend on the road, the more fuel your car burns.