Saving fuel dollars

We look at fuel reduction methods and give proven tips for cutting costs through smart vehicle maintenance and driving for best fuel economy.

Gadgets for fuel reduction

The first step is to accept the fact that there are no magic potions or gadgets that have been proven to reduce fuel consumption. There are plenty of anecdotal reports, but no hard facts. The US Environment Protection Agency has evaluated hundreds of different 'consumption improvers' and found that only six had a positive effect: one was a spoiler system that made a vehicle more aerodynamic, three shut off power to accessories such as the air conditioner and the other two provided ways to decrease idling time.

Many of the gadgets that are supposed to improve fuel consumption by up to 20 per cent aren't very expensive, so if they worked as claimed wouldn't vehicle makers fit them as standard equipment?

Alternative fuels

Are alternative fuels a way out of the fuel-price spiral? Probably not. The most optimistic view of alternative liquid fuel substitution suggests that crop or algae fuels can supplement our petroleum-based fuel needs by only 20 per cent and prices won't necessarily be reduced. Already we're seeing the price of crop fuels rising as demand for ethanol and biodiesel increases.

LPG is plentiful in Australia, but excise may apply in two years time. In theory it will be capped at 12.5 per cent, but if usage increases the Federal Government will be tempted to raise its take.

Vehicle maintenance

Regular servicing, maintaining correct tyre pressures and keeping your vehicle as streamlined and as lightly loaded as possible are the starting points for improved fuel economy.

A well-serviced vehicle rolls freely on lubricated and adjusted wheel bearings, is not burdened by dragging brakes and has an engine operating at its optimum, with clean oil, fresh plugs and clean injectors.

Tyres inflated to the vehicle maker's recommendation roll with less resistance than under-inflated ones. Don't use mud tyres unless you really need them, because 'lug' tyres have a huge influence on rolling
esistance. We regularly measure at least a five per cent fuel consumption difference between mud tyres and highway treads.

Don't leave the roof rack in place and a load of gear on board when you don't need the stuff. Lightening and streamlining the vehicle will save fuel.

Driving for fuel economy

Once you've taken these fuel economy steps, have a critical look at your driving style. If you don't get high kilometres - at least 60,000km - out of your tyres and brake pads you're driving too fast for the prevailing conditions and wasting fuel.

Driving for economy means no speeding, hard acceleration, hard braking or hard cornering. The best way to save fuel is with less use of the accelerator. Don't bury your foot to the firewall every time the lights turn green - it's not a race, is it? Try accelerating with only half pedal travel, because you're probably only going as far as the next red light, anyway. Use anticipation when you're driving, so you don't need to brake to wash off speed and then have to build it up again - particularly when your vehicle is loaded or you're towing. Try cruising at lower speeds. It's easy to measure the difference in fuel consumption if you cruise on the bitumen at 95km/h instead of 110km/h. On dirt, knock your speed back to a more economical and safer 80km/h. In the case of the average working vehicle you'll get at least a 10 per cent fuel saving just by slowing down.