Articles

Fuel Economy

By Andrea Loughlin Added Fri, Mar 13th 2009, 12:15

Fuel Facts

Fuel is any combustible substance.

Gasoline is the most widely used fuel for automotive engines.

It is a hydrocarbon.

You can open your fuel flap by depressing a button situated either under the steering wheel, on the floor of the driver’s side, driver’s door panel or in the glove compartment on the passenger’s side.

If you thought the fuel cap’s only job was to keep the fuel in, you are wrong! The fuel cap helps to protect the environment and save you up to 30 gallons of fuel a year from simply just floating away! So, if you lose your cap, buy another one immediately; it will keep your fuel from literally floating out of your gas tank. If you are unfortunate and have an accident, the fuel cap also prevents the fuel from spilling excessively. The fuel cap can be made from metal or plastic; both do a great job when in place. Always make sure that the cap fits correctly, releasing a “fizz” when you take it off and clicking into place when you put it back on.

Here are a few handy tips when it comes to filling up your tank:
Never let your tank go to empty. Fill it up when it is at half full. This will prevent your petrol from evaporating into thin air! The more air there is in your tank the more fuel will evaporate and disappear. What a waste!
Never depress the fuel nozzle fully to rush the fuel into your tank. The faster the rush of gas goes into your tank, the more aerated it will be. Pumping it fast means you will be paying for fuel that will turn to vapour in your tank. All hoses at the pump have a vapour return and the fumes are sucked back into the station’s underground storage tank.
Never fill the gas so high that it sits at the opening. The fuel needs a bit of room to expand. If too full it has the potential to blow out. Ouch!
Never jump in the car for a second whilst the car is filling and get out again. When you jump into the car you can cause static electricity, and when you go back to the pump and touch the metal on it to take it out, the spark released can cause a static fire. This doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.
Put fuel in your car in the morning. Sounds funny, but the ground temperature can change a lot – from a cold morning to the afternoon. You will get more bang for your buck if the fuel is cold.
Add a fuel injector cleaner to your fuel every now and then. This will clean your fuel injectors and prevent them from clogging up with contaminants; this will make your fuel work more efficiently. Don’t do it too often though – everything in moderation! Or if you use Caltex’s Techron, you won’t need to add an additive. Techron cleans your car as you drive!

Some fuel saving tips away from the pump:
Always drive at an even speed – no sudden starts and stops.
Make sure your car is serviced regularly.
Get spark plugs changed at the first sign of wear.
Make sure your engine is tuned.
Make sure your engine timing is correct.
Don’t speed. For every 10km over 100km/hr your consumption goes up 10-15 per cent! The most economical speed is between 80 and 90kms.
Make sure you are not carrying too many heavy items in your car.
Take off slowly from traffic lights and stop signs.
If you have a manual, change gears often and don’t raise revs too high before changing. Don’t labour the car though either.
Carpool!
Try to do one round trip when completing your chores.
Try not to idle the car for too long. Switch off if you are going to be sitting longer than 3 minutes.
Make sure your tyre pressures are correct for your driving. They should not be over inflated, and not too under inflated!
If you have all these points ticked, you will make a significant impact on your fuel consumption and the environment.

How to calculate your own fuel mileage:
Make sure your tank is full.
Re-set your trip odometer so that is sits at all zeros.
When you visit the gas station next and fill the car up keep, your receipt. Your receipt will tell you how many litres you put into your tank.
Write on your receipt how many kms you have travelled according to your trip odometer.
You then divide your total mileage (driven between fills) by the total litres used! Note: Always make sure you are using the most desirable and effective fuel for your car. Check your vehicle manual or speak with your mechanic.