India stands at the crossroads of one of the biggest fuel crisis since Independence. Fuel prices, both diesel and petrol, have sky-rocketed with public crying for respite from all quarters. Sensing great opportunity for political mileage, the oposition stands united in slamming the government over record fuel hike..
The prices of petrol and diesel are hitting new highs almost every other day across many cities in the country. Is there way that you can combat this price rise? Is taking public transport or just not venturing out the only solutions? Thankfully, no. Here are seven measures that can help you reduce your car fuel costs.
Get car serviced regularly
Though the servicing periodicity varies across models, a car should be serviced every 10,000-15,000 km or one year, whichever is earlier. Get your car serviced regularly to maintain engine efficiency. A well-maintained engine consumes less fuel and the wear and tear also reduces.
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Shut off engine at signals
If you are at a traffic signal that will take more than 50-60 seconds to turn green, it is best to turn off the engine. Of course, this may not be an option during the summer season when you need to keep the car’s air conditioner running at all times.
Check tyre pressure
If the tyre pressure is lower than the recommended level, your car will guzzle more fuel. Incorrect tyre pressure can reduce the mileage by almost 1-2%. Take out five minutes once a fortnight to check the tyre pressure.
Lose the weight
Your car consumes more fuel if it carries more weight. Remove unnecessary items from the boot to make your car as light as possible. This can have a dramatic effect on fuel consumption.
Avoid short trips
Going to pick up groceries from the shop in the neighbourhood? Don’t take out your car for very short trips of less than 1 km. If unavoidable, try and combine 2-3 trips into one before you pick up the car keys.
Use the right gear
Changing the gear at the right time helps save fuel. The higher the gear the lower is the fuel consumption. Many cars now have indicators that tell the driver to move to a higher gear. The RPM (revolutions per minute) meter is your best indicator. The best fuel efficiency is when the RPM is around 2,000.
Skip the rush hours
Getting stuck in rush hour traffic is a drain on the fuel tank. If your office allows, consider starting and ending your day earlier than the normal hours to avoid the rush. Most employers frown if somebody wants to come late, but very few mind if someone wants to come in earlier.
Input from, ET.
