As fuel prices rise and household budgets are squeezed ever tighter the latest obsession isn't speed or power- It's economy.
Saving fuel and therefore money is foremost in motorist's minds and hypermilling is that latest craze.
Hypermilling involves squeezing every last mile out of a tank of fuel and involves some downright dangerous switching off your engine when travelling downhill, coasting close up behind large truck s and taking corners without slowing down to avoid acceleration and therefore saving fuel when exiting the corner.
Take your chances with these if you must but there are some rather more sensible ways to reduce your fuel consumption and save cash.
Here's a small sample to get you going.
* Ditch the weight - Do you really need to carry the golf clubs or that toolbox in the back? Empty your car of any unnecessary weight and you immediately increase the range of your tank. Carrying 100lbs excess weight can increase your consumption by 2%.
* Lose the roof rack- Leaving a roof rack in place when it's not strictly required could be costing as much as 20% more on your fuel bill. Take it off when not in use (and leave it at home, think of the extra weight!)
* Check your tyres.shtml>tyres.shtml> tires- Check that the tire pressures are correct for your make and model of car and consider switching to a type with a low rolling resistance. The reduced contact resistance will go a long way towards stretching your tank of fuel.
* Drive Smoother- Changing your driving style is by far the easiest way to make your fuel go further. Accelerate gently and change up early to avoid excessively revving the engine.
* Turn off the gadgets- Do you really need to drive with the air-con on? And what about the heated rear screen? Using unnecessary ancillary equipment will cause more drag on the alternator and could increase your fuel consumption by 25% or more.
* Take your car for a check up - When was the last time you had it serviced? Keeping your car well tuned up not only improves reliability and increases residual values but also helps to squeeze every last mile out of your tank.
* Keep a record of your fuel consumption- Keeping a written record of your fuel consumption will make it easier for you to improve your performance. Next time you fill up, make a note of the reading on your odometer. When you fill up again, note the amount of fuel it takes to replace what's used. Divide one by the other and you will have your fuel consumption in mile's per gallon. See what you can do to keep improving your figures.
Cutting down on your fuel consumption does more than just save you cash. It will prolong the life of your vehicle and more importantly reduce harmful emissions released into the atmosphere so it's not just your wallet that benefits, It's your health too!
