When it comes to fuel spending, there are several things that can be done to help cut your fuel costs and save money. The main two areas that it comes down to is either improving the fuel economy of already existing vehicles or acquiring new vehicles with better mpg.

There are many components to a fleet’s operation that can ultimately have an impact on how much money is being spent on fuel. Whether it’s a positive or negative impact depends on how the fleet approaches different aspect of these components. After all, reducing expenses from fuel spend will ultimately improve the fleet’s bottom line, which company executives will certainly appreciate.

While upgrading a whole fleet isn’t always possible, it is important to consider fuel with every new vehicle purchase cycle. Improving the fuel economy of existing fleet vehicles is an area that fleets can start working on today.

We will provide you with simple and practical ways you can start cutting your auto fuel costs immediately.

• 10 Best Ways to Cut Auto Fuel Costs
• How do you use less Fuel in an Automatic?
• What can make a Car Consume more Fuel?
• How do Companies Control Fuel Costs?
• What is the Disadvantage of Automatic Transmission?
• Does Driving Slower save Fuel?
• How Can Fuel Prices be Reduced?
• What is The Cause of High Fuel Consumption in Cars?
• Can Camphor Reduce Fuel Consumption?
• How to Reduce Fuel Consumption
• 3 Types of Fuel Consumption
• How to Reduce Fuel Consumption in Carburetor
• Reduce Fuel Consumption Device
• How Can we Reduce Fuel Consumption of Any Engine?
• How Can The SMME Reduce The Cost of Fuel?
• What is The Most Efficient Speed to Drive at?
• How do I Fix High Fuel Consumption?
• Does Driving Slower Save Fuel?
• What is The Formula to Calculate Fuel Consumption?
• How do You Adjust Air Fuel Mixture?
• How do You Tell if a Carburetor is Rich or Lean?
• What Does Fuel Surcharge Mean?
• What Steps Can be Taken to Improve Fuel Efficiency of Vehicles?
• Is it Cheaper to Fill up at Half a Tank?
• Which Gear is Most Fuel Efficient?
• Which Fuel is Best For my Car?
• Does Engine Oil Affect Fuel Consumption?
• What is a Good Fuel Consumption?
• What is The Best RPM For Fuel Economy?
• How do I Get Fuel Efficient?
• What Are The Best Spark Plugs For Fuel Economy?
• 10 Ways to Cut Auto Fuel Costs

10 Best Ways to Cut Auto Fuel Costs

To put into perspective some of the biggest factors that fleets should consider to reduce fleet fuel spend, we have compiled a top 10 list of key components in reducing fuel costs as suggested by experts in fleet fuel management.

1. Look to Preventative Maintenance

One of the best places to start when looking to reduce fuel spend is at aspects that fit the preventative maintenance (PM) category. Ensuring a fleet performs regular PM intervals can do wonders on helping to lower fuel spend.

Read Also: What are Budget Busters?

“Making sure your vehicles are in good running order through regular preventive maintenance can also help to conserve fuel – by quite a bit,” noted Andy Hall, assistant manager, Fuel & GMS, ARI. “A properly maintained vehicle can improve a vehicle’s fuel economy by as much as 40%.”

One of the biggest components to PM is motor oil change. It is crucial fleets implement the correct kinds of motor oil for their vehicles.

“Make sure you are using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil; according to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve fuel economy by as much as 2% simply by using the proper oil,” Hall said. “Additionally, motor oil that is labeled ‘energy conserving’ contains friction-reducing additives that also helps to improve fuel economy.”

Vincent Raynor, director, strategic consulting of Element Fleet Management, explained why proper PM compliance can lead to improved fuel efficiency.

“Lower oil viscosity requires less energy to circulate through the powertrain of the vehicle, leading to improved fuel economy,” he said.

2. Consider Your Tires

Another key piece of PM includes tire and wheel maintenance.

Bernie Kavanagh, senior vice president and general manager of Large Fleet at WEX Inc., said that maintaining proper tire pressure is one of the main steps that fleets can take in order to reduce fuel costs.

“By using tools to track the pressure, fleets can make sure their vehicles are set at the best pressure for driving and saving cost,” he said.

A study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that for every one psi (pounds per square inch) drop in the pressure of your tires will lower gas mileage by 0.4%, noted Ramel Lindsay, manager of strategic partnerships and business development, U.S. Bank Voyager Fleet Card.

Hall of ARI agreed that regularly monitoring tires plays a big factor in ultimately reducing fuel spend. He also mentioned that ensuring a vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned can be just as important.

Indeed, improper wheel alignment can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10%, according to Investopedia.com. This equates to about 31 cents per gallon.

3. Rightsizing

Rightsizing in fleet is another im-portant area to consider when looking at the bigger picture of cutting back on fuel costs. Fleets that are looking to utilize vehicles that will best fit their needs and cutting the ones that don’t mesh with their operations will prove to be beneficial.

Raynor of Element Fleet Management said that rightsizing vehicles is the most common and quickest method to reduce fuel cost, because it comprises of many different options.

Indeed, rightsizing for one company may entail reducing the number of vehicles in its fleet, while rightsizing for another company may entail transitioning to smaller, more fuel-efficient models.

“Fleets can right size their vehicles and in turn, reduce fuel spend as result of replacing aged assets with vehicles that have smaller engines, better fuel economy, and lower gross vehicle weight. Provided that the new vehicle continues to meet the business operational needs,” said Raynor of Element.

John Wuich, VP of consulting services for Donlen, echoed similar sentiments.
“A fleet vehicle must first functionally serve a purpose. Among vehicles that fit job needs, look to reduce size and weight, and consider more fuel-efficient vehicles and even alt-fuel models,” said Wuich.

4. Manage Fuel Card Usage

As one might expect, fuel purchasing tendencies are key to assessing a fleets fuel spend, and a good place to start is looking at its fleet’s fuel card system.

“It is known that if there is no fuel management that by adding even the most inexpensive card system control that your fuel spend will drop immediately,” said Kevin DeVinney, director dispensers & fleet systems, Gasboy. “The problem with cards is that it is still prone to misuse.”

DeVinney added that obtaining accurate data can be difficult since cards are usually assigned to a vehicle and not a driver.

“Many times, drivers keep their cards even though the card identifies the vehicle when they drive different vehicles. This will show the data inaccurately with the fuel going into the wrong vehicle. It is difficult to determine fuel theft if the cards are not managed properly,” he said.

Effinger of PAPCO said that developing fuel purchasing policies should help support driver fuel purchasing decisions. And holding them accountable for their decision by way of this is key.

“You must hold employees accountable for purchase activity since they are making buying decisions on behalf of the company. Therefore, your drivers must be held accountable for any potential abuse and misuse,” he said.

Lindsay of U.S. Bank Voyager Network said to curb overspending on fuel, fleets should look to receive real-time fuel purchase alerts, and turn to level III data, which provides deep detail on every fueling transaction including PIN, odometer, and vehicle/driver ID. Katz of Chevin further addressed the idea of implementing a fuel management system to curb misuse of fuel card spends.

“Fleets that buy fuel at designated retail outlets can still control spending and eliminate fuel fraud, by using commercial fuel cards and integrating this data into the fleet management system,” he said.

He added that data provided from a fuel management system can help identify vehicles that are achieving the best fuel economy. This can help provide further evidence to help fleets identify appropriate methods of rightsizing.

Carl Bruce, VP of sales for AssetWorks, recommended additional fueling technologies to curb issues related to fuel spend.

“Identify who is fueling and what vehicle is being fueled. Consider advanced technology such as proximity keys or RFID technology in vehicles to automate the transaction and prevent fueling of vehicles which don’t have this technology installed,” he said.

Another simple factor to consider is the grade of fuel you put in your vehicles. This also plays an important part in effectively reducing fuel spend.

Indeed, Jennifer Gordon, product sales consultant, Merchants Fleet Management, said that fleets may want to think twice before reaching for the premium option. She said premium fuel should only be used when the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends it. Sticking to regular when applicable will result in a savings average that can amount to several cents per gallon, she said.

5. Assess Vehicle Weight

However, when it comes to reducing fuel costs, the vehicles themselves aren’t the only factor that should be considered — what fleets physically place in or on the vehicles is also important.

Weight added to a vehicle will affect fuel economy in the long haul, as constantly overloading the vehicle will reduce its mpg. Gordon of Merchants said that the “over-sizing” of a vehicle will decrease fuel efficiency.

“Periodically check to be sure the vehicle isn’t carrying any added, unnecessary weight,” suggested Hall of ARI. “It’s a simple matter of physics: the heavier a vehicle is, the more energy it needs to get moving. Keep your fleet lean and mean and your fuel budget will thank you,”

Katz of Chevin echoed this sentiment.

“Carrying excess weight around in vehicles can have a big impact on fuel efficiency; in fact, an extra 100lbs in a vehicle could reduce its mpg by almost 1%. If an item doesn’t have to be kept in a vehicle, it should always be removed. In addition, external racks and storage devices should be removed when they are not in use,” said Katz.

6. Route Tracking

Having a better idea of the routes fleet drivers take is another key element to monitoring fuel spend. Doing so has become easier over the years with the continued development of telematics and software that can better help fleets tracks their vehicles.

“If you have a good GPS device along with good mapping and routing software you will save on fuel usage,” said DeVinney of Gasboy. He broke down the ways that this can help reduce fuel in three ways:

Route optimization software can maximize the most efficient routes which can help cut back on unnecessary miles driven. The ability to track personal use versus work use can allow some fleets to allocate some of their fuel spend to the personal use category.

Being able to locate the closest person for a fleet’s next delivery, service call, or emergency will reduce fuel spend versus reaching out to drivers who are further away.

“GPS and telematics technologies make it simple for fleets to plan ahead and to ensure the selected route is the best possible option,” added Mark Donahue, manager, fleet analytics and corporate communications, EMKAY, Inc. “Utilize the available tools and help your drivers to avoid getting lost while on the road.”

Beyond tracking the location of the vehicles, telematics data can also help to serve as a way for the vehicle to communicate its needs, which can further support factors related to PM.

“Let the vehicle tell you when it needs attention. On-board telematics can alert you when a vehicle needs unscheduled maintenance,” suggested Bruce of AssetWorks. Kavanagh of WEX further stressed the importance of utilizing technologies to improve fleet fuel efficiencies.

“WEX believes it is key that businesses use the tools and data they have available to them, since these tools and data will help them find where they can be saving costs,” he said.

7. Driver Behavior

It’s not just the routes that fleet drivers take that can affect fuel spend, however. How they drive is also a crucial factor. “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving can reduce highway fuel efficiency by 33% and city efficiency by 5%,” said Gordon of Merchants.

Hall of ARI provided further insight to this, stating that fleets should remind drivers to observe the speed limit and avoid aggressive driving maneuvers.

“Speeding, rapid acceleration and harsh braking can lower gas mileage by roughly 15% – 30% at highway speeds and up to 40% in stop-go-go traffic,” said Hall of ARI. “Additionally, every 5 mph a driver goes over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.17 per gallon of gas. By simply observing the posted speed limit and driving in a safe manner can help your organization use less fuel and improve the bottom line.”

8. Monitor Idling

With the help of telematics data, fleets can also look to curb one of the most egregious contributors to high fleet fuel spend: idling. “GPS can not only connect to the on-board diagnostics to tell you which vehicle was idling and for how long but also where. This helps the manager figure out why someone is idling,” said DeVinney of Gasboy.

Gordon of Merchants said an idling car can waste up to .5 gallons per hour, and Katz of Chevin noted the avoiding unnecessary idling can improve fuel efficiency by more than 4%. “Anything over 30 seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning off and restarting a vehicle,” said Katz.

By using the aforementioned telematics data, poor behaviors such as idling are easier to identify and remediate.

“Idling gets you zero miles per gallon. Excessive idling is just wasted energy, causes wear and tear, and with GPS systems, you can measure, monitor and put in place policies to limit it,” said Bruce.

9. Looking to Alt-Fuels

As Katz of Chevin mentioned, looking to incorporate alt-fuel vehicles into a fleet is something fleets could consider. The move to greening a fleet has proved to provide reductions in fuel spend. 

“Many fleets have moved toward varied fuel types including hybrid, electric, and CNG. Although in some cases technology has not kept pace with demand, we do see a slowly increasing trend in investment in alternative fuel technologies in response to demand,” said Raynor of Element. “As fuel costs have decreased, there has been less propensity from fleets to switch to alternative fuels, but that quickly changes as fuel costs rise.”

One of the biggest benefits of implementing alt-fuel vehicles is how they may positively improve a fleets overall average mpg. Indeed, ADP has been gradually transitioning its North American fleet to consist of only hybrid-electric vehicles. The fleet has reportedly gone from an average of 24.3 mpg to 36 mpg.

Clay Siegert, co-founder and COO, XL Hybrids further stressed the significant mpg gains resulting from the implementation of alt fuels in commercial vans and trucks.

“Unlike typical consumer cars which already have mpgs in the 20s and 30s, conventional vans and trucks typically have mpgs in the low teens or single digits. So, swapping out these commercial gas guzzlers, which often drive 20,000 annual miles in fleet applications, for hybrid-electric trucks and vans can actually save even more fuel than the same technology on a consumer car,” said Siegert of XL Hybrids.

10. Getting Complete Fleet Buy-In

There is one key caveat to consider as fleet managers look to consider all of the elements regarding reducing fuel spend, and that’s having buy-in from everyone involved in the fleet; including company stakeholders all the way to the fleet drivers.

Wuich of Donlen, agreed with this sentiment.

“It always helps to have a policy in place that is supported by management and adhered to by drivers,” he said. Making sure that drivers are adhering to the policies all begins with proper training and education.

“Training courses can help to educate drivers on habits that will aid in the reduction of fuel usage. These courses are often available online and can be completed during downtime that will not interfere with daily work schedules,” said Donahue of EMKAY, Inc.

In addition to training, Donahue also encouraged fleets schedule annual rewards that honor drivers who provided the best fuel efficiency by vehicle type. This can help promote efficient driving habits.

Indeed, a strong foundation must be laid out in the first place and this includes establishing a fuel management system and regularly enforcing policies.

“You can’t enforce what doesn’t exist. Begin by developing a written policy that clearly defines your company’s fuel management policy and be sure your drivers are aware of it,” said Hall of ARI. “It should include the rules around fuel card usage, the desired grade of fuel for each vehicle in your fleet preferred fuel providers, steps to take in the event of a damaged or lost fuel card, and any other information that might be specific to your organization.”

Hall of ARI said having employees committed to these policies is key, and can do more than just improve overall fuel costs.

“There is a lot your drivers can do to contribute to lowering your overall fuel costs – plus, the behaviors that encourage fuel conservation are the same behaviors that promote increased safety and sustainability,” added Hall. “It is a win-win all around.

How do you use less Fuel in an Automatic?

Petrol prices make up a massive portion of the day to day costs of your car, and are notoriously unpredictable. In fact, “Fuel takes up to 40 – 45% of the running costs of your car,” says Willie Venter, a Fleet Consulting Manager at EQSTRA Fleet Management. Added to this, automatic cars are slightly less fuel-efficient than manuals, according to stats by the USA’s Environmental Protection Agency.

As a driver of an automatic car, it feels like there’s not much in your control to save on petrol costs, but there are driving techniques that’ll extend your fuel to the end of the month. 

1. Keep your Momentum

It’s science – a body in motion stays in motion, and therefore uses less energy and fuel. Don’t brake unless needed, and driving slowly and consistently will keep your car going forward.

 2. Don’t put your Foot on the Brake

Resting your foot on the brake pedal, no matter how lightly, immediately applies drag to the car, which hugely impacts fuel economy. Says How Stuff Works, “It’ll place an unnecessary burden on the engine and transmission. You’ll wear out your brakes rapidly, as well.”

3. Tyres Properly Inflated 

Your car only touches the ground on, quite literally, a handful of places. Each tyre has a portion as big as the palm of your hand that actually touches the road – and this has a huge impact on your driving and fuel efficiency. An underinflated tyre causes your car to drag, increases stopping distances and is generally unsafe.

 4. Don’t Drive Angry

Racing to the robot, fast braking, and crazy accelerating all chow fuel rapidly. Says the US Environmental Protection Agency, Aggressive driving can lower your fuel consumption by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town. Accelerate gently, and pull away slowly to save petrol.

 5. Stay cool While Driving on the Highway

Use your air-con wisely, car manufacturers explain that your car may use more fuel to power your air-con at lower speeds but cruising on the highway with your air-con on, won’t make a difference to your fuel consumption.

6. Transmission

You’ll find that some automatic cars stay in lower gears longer than is fuel-efficient. Try to to coax the transmission into shifting earlier than it wants to by taking your foot off the accelerator after 50 Km/h. Accelerate slowly when you’re in the higher gears.

7. Make Fewer Trips

The more trips you make, the less fuel you’re going to save. This because once your car is parked for a few hours, the engine has cooled down and it will use more fuel to for the first 10 kilometres or so. Try combine going grocery shopping and picking up your kids from their after-school activities if you can.

8. Regular Maintenance

When your car runs smoothly and is in good mechanical condition, you’ll be able to get the best fuel economy from it. How Stuff Works says that sending your car for regular maintenance can boost fuel economy up to 10 per cent. Regularly schedule maintenance so that car parts will last longer, allowing you to save money through less fuel consumption and reducing repair costs.

9. Cruising When you can

The RAC UK say that cruise control actually helps with saving fuel when driving on a consistent flat surface such as highways and freeways. This is due to driving at a constant speed, which cancels out unnecessary acceleration. Using your cruise control on steep hills could increase your fuel consumption as the cruise control will attempt to keep your vehicle travelling at a constant speed which uses more fuel.

10. Don’t lose Traction

Your tyres are more likely to slip on wet or gravel surfaces, and each time that happens you lose fuel mileage as well as endanger yourself and others. Make sure to take care when starting off on unpaved and slippery roads and slow down on rough surfaces.

All of these small, manageable changes add up to savings you’ll feel between pay day.

What can make a Car Consume more Fuel?

Fuel efficiency is definitely a thing that a car should have. This one is counted over all the other features. A car delivering low fuel mileage can indicate many things. You can correct some of them by yourself if you read this article till the end. On the other hand, there are some serious issues for which you need trained mechanics to diagnose your car.

Here are some of the reasons due to which your car could be consuming more fuel.

1. Faulty Engine/Engine Issues

Starting with the most extreme case that a car could be suffering through is a faulty engine. A damaged engine cannot work properly and in turn, can consume more fuel. Now you might be thinking that the engine itself can’t be faulty when the car has run only a few km. You are right. The engine may be fine but the crucial components that contribute to the combustion cycle could be faulty.

For instance, a faulty spark plug or O2 sensor in a petrol engine and a dirty fuel injector in a diesel engine can cause more consumption of fuel resulting in low fuel mileage. Your engine may function normally for a while but the fuel won’t be burnt efficiently. This will eventually cause your car to consume more fuel than usual.

2. Wrong/Incorrect Engine Oil

One of the reasons for your car consuming more fuel could be the engine oil. This is a vital element that your engine needs to function properly. For your information, there are several engine oil grades available. You should be careful while selecting one for your car.

Engine oil which is thicker than the recommended grade makes the pistons move less freely causing the engine to overheat and ultimately cause consumption of more fuel thereby resulting in low fuel mileage.

3. Poor Fuel Quality

You should always be careful about what goes into your engine. A poor quality fuel can severely affect your engine’s efficiency and its life also. There are many additives available at fuel stations that make your car run better with the same fuel. But again be careful while selecting any additive for your car.

A wrong or duplicate additive can ultimately cost you much more than what the fuel would have done! A good fuel additive cleans the intake valves of petrol engines and injector nozzles of diesel engines to reduce the accumulation of after-burn deposits. This can easily avoid a car from delivering low fuel mileage.

4. Using the Air Conditioning all the time

Using the air conditioner is also one of the reasons why your car could be consuming more fuel. Your car AC extracts power from your car’s engine only. Therefore the engine undergoes more pressure due to which it has to do more work and ultimately consume more fuel. Keeping the windows down would be a wise decision until the temperature is bearable.

This will help you avoid low fuel mileage. However, if you are driving the car at higher speeds, then opening the windows increases the drag causing the engine to work more as well. So if you are driving at a high speed, your car AC won’t cost you much extra fuel.

5. Worn Out Tyres

If your car tyres are worn out, the grip is lost and as a result, they spin more to move. This can be a major reason which can cause your car to consume more fuel. On the other hand, if your tyres are inflated below the recommended pressure, your car will consume more fuel in this case too.

Looking after your car’s tyres regularly is a good habit that will not only help you avoid low fuel mileage but also help your vehicle’s suspension to remain young for a long.

6. Poor Maintenance and Short Trips

Poor maintenance also causes the car to consume more fuel. If you ignore your car’s service intervals then you will surely burn more fuel as your engine won’t run smoothly. The air elements will be clogged and therefore, more fuel will be required by the car to run for the same kilometre range.

Also, if you take your car out on short trips often, then you will also notice your car consuming more fuel. This is because all the vehicles are least efficient and most polluting at the start of their journey and during short trips. Trips that are less than 5kms don’t let the engine reach its optimum operating temperature, therefore, the engine uses more fuel.

7. Driving in the Wrong Gear

This one is strictly for manual car owners. Driving a car in a lower gear will make the car consume more fuel and cause it to deliver bad mileage. Similarly, driving the car at a higher gear will also cause more consumption of fuel. In order to extract the maximum efficiency from your car’s engine, you need to drive your car in the optimum gear just as the automatic transmission does it for you!

8. Erratic Driving Style/Habits

If you drive your car at a higher rpm range, you will definitely consume more fuel. Also, if you shift gears often, your engine goes through fluctuation of torque output which causes it to consume more fuel. Hitting the pedal to the metal doesn’t make any sense.

Be slow and steady when you start accelerating. The same is the case with braking. Keep a careful check on the road. Repetitive braking and sudden acceleration cause low fuel mileage on your car so try avoiding that on a busy road.

9. Unnecessary Idling

Modern-day cars don’t need to be warmed up before you set off on your journey. Switch the engine on once you are ready to leave. While you are travelling, you can save even more fuel by turning the engine off at times where you need to halt for long intervals.

For example, you can turn your engine off on a traffic signal where you need to stand for 1 minute or more. FYI, it takes less amount of fuel to restart the engine than it takes to keep the engine idling for that particular interval of time. The wear and tear are also negligible therefore you can get rid of your car delivering low fuel mileage.

10. Worn out Clutch

This is also one of the reasons why your car might be consuming more fuel and your fuel mileage will be low. You didn’t know this one we bet! A worn-out clutch makes the plates slip rather than one of them rotating the other.

A new clutch has minimal slippage tendency but this increases as the clutch begin wearing out with time. This results in a loss in the overall power that the wheels receive from the engine and thereby decreases the transmission efficiency which leads to car consuming more fuel and delivering low fuel mileage.

11. Overloading

Last on the list, but this one can also lead your car to consume more fuel and result in delivering poor fuel mileage. Just have a look at your car’s user’s manual and you will see how much load it can carry. The recommended limit of load that a vehicle can carry is tested by the manufacturer and the performance of the vehicle doesn’t get affected until that point.

Not only fuel mileage but overloading your vehicle can badly affect your car’s suspension, tyres, transmission and at last, the engine! Do you know that some of the cars that have racks installed on their roofs also deliver poor fuel mileage? Yes, all the cars having load-carrying roof racks are not meant to have those!

The roof racks badly affect the airflow when the car is running and result in poor fuel mileage. Just to let you know, using a roof rack to carry cargo can decrease your mileage anywhere from 2% in city driving to 20% at highway speeds.

How do Companies Control Fuel Costs?

For any large business with a fleet of vehicles, fuel is one of your largest expenditures. While you can’t do much about the price of gas, you do have some control over how much gas you use. Try these eight tips to reduce fuel expenditures, and increase your profit margin.

1. Obey the speed limit. Speeding puts your drivers at risk of a ticket (and you at risk of insurance rate hikes), but it also causes vehicles to use more fuel. Remind your drivers to obey the speed limit, and avoid rapid accelerations.

2. Brake less. Leaving a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you means you won’t brake as often; subsequently, you will avoid having to accelerate once again.

3. Reduce idling time. If a vehicle will be sitting still for more than a minute or so, instruct your drivers to turn it off. Idling wastes gas and also contribute excess pollutants to the air.

4. Maintain your tires. Properly inflated tires reduce friction with the road, so that your vehicles use less gas.  Since changing temperatures can cause air pressure to fluctuate, remember to check your tires regularly with a pressure gauge.

5. Maintain your vehicles. A properly tuned engine uses less gas, and clean oil filters also help to improve your mileage. Also check to make sure you’re using the right type of oil in your vehicles; the wrong type will overwork engines and cause them to waste gas.

6. Reduce air conditioner usage. The AC uses a ton of gas, so reduce usage whenever you can. Remind workers to park in the shade and roll down the windows, and to use the AC only on extra hot days if possible.

7. Choose the best routes. A route with the fewest stop signs and traffic lights can help you save gas, even more so than the shortest route.

8. Enroll in a GPS tracking service. A good GPS tracking service can help you accomplish many of the above tasks, such as proper vehicle maintenance, keeping an eye on employee driving habits, improved routing, and more. You can also use the service to analyze your employees’ driving habits and take appropriate measures to reduce fuel usage and save money.

What is the Disadvantage of Automatic Transmission?

The manual transmission is known to most people and in Germany it is much more common than the automatic transmission. An advantage of this type is the high efficiency. This results in good driving performance and low fuel consumption – although of course this also depends heavily on the driving style itself.

The manual transmission also scores with its compact dimensions and – in comparison – low manufacturing costs. A disadvantage is an uncomfortable operation with a manual gearshift and clutch. Although this is of course also a matter of taste. However, the interruption of tractive power during shifting cannot be denied.

• Some learners find the clutch and gear stick difficult to master.
• Electric cars don’t have a gearbox, so automatics might be the norm in the future.
• Manuals are less efficient than new automatics with 8 gears.

Does Driving Slower save Fuel?

Does driving slower actually save you fuel? Well, that entirely depends on what speed you’re meant to be doing in the first place.

Driving on a highway? Going slower technically saves fuel because at high speed your engine needs to work harder to overcome the drag from wind resistance, your tyres and transmission, and that drag increases exponentially the faster you go.

Reduce your speed, then less power (and thus fuel) needs to be expended to overcome that drag. Simple, right?

However, travelling at a slower speed also means your journey takes more time, so your engine is burning fuel for longer than it otherwise would. Common sense informs most people that crawling along at 20km/h is not an efficient way to drive a car.

So a big part of driving efficiently comes down to identifying your car’s most efficient speed, which is the sweet spot between where both travel time and drag each has the least impact on fuel economy

Things to remember

• If your car has a real-time economy gauge, use it on a relatively flat road to get an idea of where your optimal speed is.
• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed.
• Of course, traveling at a constant isn’t always possible and your car will always need to rev harder to negotiate hills.
• And there will be times when you’ll need to slow down, and speed up again, which also hampers efficiency. If you need to slow down try avoid using the brakes by taking your foot off the accelerator to coast and get back up to speed slowly rather than stop and start with a burst. Keep your eyes up and try to anticipate traffic movements well in advance.
• Your car’s fuel efficiency is also affected by weight and tyre rolling resistance. You want less of both of those things.
• If you want to deliberately drive frugally remember to consider other drivers if it means you’ll be going slower than the speed limit. Don’t hold up other drivers and stay out of the right lane. Not only will you frustrate other road users, but you might also end up with a fine. 

How Can Fuel Prices be Reduced?

Global crude oil prices plunged to an 18-year-low as oil demand dropped sharply due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. But the benefit of the low crude oil prices was not passed on to citizens as the government increased excise duty on petrol and diesel sharply to shore up revenues during the pandemic.

The situation has worsened in 2021 as citizens are now feeling the pinch of rising international crude oil prices and high taxes.

Experts have already warned that high fuel prices could delay economic recovery by lowering demand and weakening consumer sentiments. It has already led to a sharp rise in inflation, evident by the price rise seen across several products and services.

If international crude oil prices keep rising, there are two options to deal with the fuel price crisis. The government could either cut high taxes on fuel or include petroleum products under GST.

What is The Cause of High Fuel Consumption in Cars?

Gas consumption will inevitably vary within the same car depending on many outside factors. Temperature, traveling environment, and long trips will all play a part in your fuel efficiency. But the internal workings of your vehicle can affect your fuel efficiency, too, as can your personal habits.

When you keep track of your mileage and how often you have to fill up, you can gain some valuable insights into your car’s health that can help you save money on repairs down the line. You can also get an idea of some driving habits that you might want to change in order to save your car and your pocketbook.

Parts of Your Car that Affect Fuel Consumption

1. Oil

Changing your oil at regular, manufacturer-recommended intervals can help you lower your fuel consumption. If you’ve noticed that your fuel efficiency is declining, and you also haven’t changed your oil in the recent past, old oil may be a culprit.

For newer vehicles (2013 or later), car manufacturers have improved their fuel and oil technologies so that you should only have to change your oil every 7,000-10,000 miles. Compared to older cars that required oil changes every 3,000 miles, this not only improves your fuel economy, but it also saves you time and money.

2. Oxygen sensors, air filters, spark plugs, and fuel injectors

These four parts of your vehicle seem to be unrelated to your gas mileage, but they can seriously impact your fuel consumption. If you notice that your gas usage has gone up in recent months, make sure that these parts are clean and working correctly.

3. Tires

Even if your tire pressure indicator isn’t beaming brightly, your tires may be under-inflated, and that could cause a decrease in fuel efficiency. Use a simple tire pressure gauge (available at just about any grocery or auto parts store) to check each tire’s pressure. Make sure to do so before you turn on your car for the day because cool tires will give you the most accurate pressure reading.

If you notice that your tires look visibly under-inflated, you are already well past the time when you should have filled up your tires. Poorly inflated tires decrease traction and increase the number of times that your tires have to rotate in order to move the same amount of distance.

It’s important to fill your tires to the recommended psi as over-inflation and under-inflation can negatively influence your fuel consumption.

4. Air Conditioning

On really hot days, using the air conditioning can put a lot of strain on your engine and hurt your fuel efficiency. To alleviate this problem, crack a window until your car’s internal temperature is at or lower than the exterior temp. Keep in mind, however, that it’s better to keep the windows closed when you’re driving at highway speeds because it reduces the amount of drag on your vehicle.

Habits that Affect Fuel Consumption

5. Idling

This habit seems like a no-brainer, but it is a gas-waster that is often overlooked, forgotten, or ignored. If you are in a location where you can completely turn off your engine, you should do it. Shutting off your car is not only better for your fuel usage, but it also prevents unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle.

If you’re in a situation where you can’t turn your engine off entirely (such as on a hot day while you’re waiting to pick someone up from school), at least put it into neutral.

6. Using the Wrong Gear

If your car has manual transmission (stick shift), make sure to use the appropriate gear. If you’re pulling heavy loads, you should use a lower gear, so your engine doesn’t have to work harder than it needs to.

Similarly, make sure to use a higher gear when traveling at faster speeds. The long and short is this: listen to your engine. If it sounds like it is overworking or underworking, you are probably wasting gas.

7. Aggressive Driving

This bad habit is threefold – driving too fast, accelerating too quickly, and stopping too suddenly. All three of these actions lead to high fuel consumption. Where possible, you should accelerate slowly and drive with the speed of traffic.

Give yourself enough space between you and the person ahead of you so that you can stop gradually without slamming on the brakes. A natural, brakeless deceleration, where possible, can help you increase your fuel efficiency.

Can Camphor Reduce Fuel Consumption?

Many questions comes to mind; the camphor we have today,does it contain pure Naphthalene? This is worthy of note.There are two types of camphor. The old kind is naphthalene. It is ok to put this type in your engine.

Naphthalene is actually still burned at my local power plant to produce electricity!. The newer style is paradichlorobenzene (camphor chrystals). When combusted, the chlorine in this. forms hydrochloric acid – which will damage your engine.

Naphthalene camphor were commonly put in fuel in the 50s-70s as an additive when street racing or hot rodding etc. It worked by improving the octane level rating of gasoline. Keep in mind, the octane rating of gas back then was fairly low. Naphthalene has an octane rating of 90, so it would boost the octane of gas considerably.

Todays gasoline is rated 87(regular) to 92/93 (Premium). Obviously it would improve the octane of regular gas, but not noticibly. The theoretical maximum octane rating that you can achieve by mixing mothballs and regular gas is less than 90. If you add it to Premium gas, it will actually DECREASE your octane rating.

How to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Tips to reduce fuel consumption range from changing how you drive to bizarre additions to the mechanics of your car. Below are some of the most reliable ways to reduce your fuel consumption and spend less money at the pump.

1. One of the best ways to reduce your fuel consumption is to purchase and drive a vehicle that is projected to get great gas mileage. Many affordable vehicles are rated at thirty miles per gallon or higher.

Even if you cannot afford to purchase an electric or hybrid car, you should be able to find a fuel efficient model that fits your needs. In general, stay away from large SUVs, vans, and trucks if you are concerned with lowering your fuel budget.

2. Reduce the amount of time you spend on the road. If reasonable, set up a carpool system with neighbors or co-workers. Limit the amount of trips you take to the market and other outings. Consider walking instead of driving to a restaurant during your lunch break.

3. Reconsider how you purchase your fuel. The vast majority of vehicles can perform on low-grade gasoline without any adverse consequences. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the lowest grade fuel that your vehicle can use. Also, pay attention to gas prices at different stations. Gas prices can fluctuate significantly within two or three blocks.

4. Change the way you drive. Many drivers do not connect their vehicle’s gas mileage to their driving practices. Always drive at or right below the speed limit, especially on interstate highways. Avoid rapid accelerations and raising your RPMs excessively.

5. Streamline your vehicle. Many people become most aware of their gas mileage when they are driving great distances. If you are travelling, avoid storing luggage on top of your vehicle. Also, remember that pulling a trailer, camper, or boat behind your vehicle will radically lower its fuel efficiency.

6. Keep up with general maintenance. Many drivers do not properly maintain their vehicle. Avoiding routine maintenance can adversely affect your vehicle’s miles per gallon rating. Change your oil and oil filter as suggested in your owner’s manual, have your tires rotated and properly aligned, keep your tires properly inflated, and regularly replace parts such as air filters and spark plugs.

Most drivers find that taking their automobile to a dealership or mechanic once a year for a tune-up can address issues that affect fuel consumption before they become too costly.

7. Drive a car with a manual transmission. Stick shift cars allow the driver to have more control over the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If you are comfortable driving a car with a manual transmission, you might want to consider buying a stick shift as your next vehicle.

Drivers of cars with manual transmissions can learn to drive their vehicles more efficiently in a variety of situations to help reduce gasoline consumption.

Reevaluate your route, particularly ones that you take often. For example, if one route to work is shorter but includes numerous stop signs, hills, or traffic lights, your vehicle might use more gasoline on it than it would on a longer route with fewer stops and level roads. Drive an alternate route to work for a few days and compare fuel consumption.

3 Types of Fuel Consumption

Meaning of fuel is a substance that is burned to provide nuclear energy, heat or power. Materials like coal, wood, oil, or gas can provide heat when burned. Methanol, Gasoline, Diesel, Propane, Natural gas, Hydrogen are types of fuel. Nuclear energy is produced by burning plutonium.

From fuel efficiency or fuel economy, we can measure how long any vehicle could travel, which is the opposite of fuel consumption. Fuel consumption is the amount of fuel vehicle uses to travel a particular distance. Fuel efficiency is measured in kilometers per liter. The efficiency with which the fuel does a conversion of energy is known as fuel efficiency.

How to Reduce Fuel Consumption in Carburetor

While carburetors are not really considered commonplace anymore, for many decades they were the preferred method for fuel delivery, and working with them was a much more common occurrence. Although not many vehicles with carburetors remain on the road, it is imperative that the ones that do are properly tuned and adjusted to achieve optimum performance.

However, adjusting the carburetor is a relatively simple job that can be done with a basic set of hand tools and a little bit of technical knowledge.

Step 1: Remove engine air filter. Locate and remove the engine air filter and housing in order to access the carburetor. This may require the use of hand tools, however, many times the air filter and housing are secured using only a wing nut that can often be removed without using any tools.

Step 2: Adjust the air fuel mixture. Use a flat head screwdriver to adjust the air fuel mixture. Once the air filter has been removed, and the carburetor is exposed, locate the air fuel mixture adjustment screws, these are often plain, flat head screws.

Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, different carburetors may have multiple, sometimes up to four, air fuel mixture adjustment screws. These screws are responsible for controlling the amount of fuel that enters the engine, and improper adjustment will result in decreased engine performance.

Step 3: Observe the engine’s condition. Start the vehicle and allow it to warm up to operating temperature. Take note of the running condition of the engine. Use the table below to determine if the engine is running lean or rich.

Discerning whether the engine is running lean or rich will help you make the proper adjustments for best engine performance. This will let you know if it is starved for fuel or is using an excessive amount.

Step 4: Re-adjust air fuel mixture screws. Once the engine has arrived at operating temperature, go back to the carburetor and adjust the air fuel mixture screw, or screws. Tightening the screw increases the amount of fuel, while loosening decreases the amount of fuel.

When making any adjustments, it is also important to make them in small increments of a quarter turn. This will prevent any major fuel changes that could dramatically affect the performance of the engine.

Back the adjustment screws off until the engine is running slightly lean. Back off the mixture screw until the engine just begins to display symptoms of a lean mixture, and then tighten them down, in quarter turn increments, until the engine runs smoothly.

Step 5: Test the engine at idle and while revving. Rev the engine up after every adjustment to see if it continues to run smoothly at higher rpms. If you notice any vibration or shaking, continue to make adjustments until the engine runs smoothly both at idle and while revving, through the full rpm range.

Your throttle response should also be crisp and responsive. The engine should rev smoothly and quickly as soon as you apply throttle. If the vehicle is displaying any sort of sluggish performance or misfires when you apply the throttle, then more adjustments are required.

Step 6: Locate the idle mixture screw. Once the air fuel mixture screws have been properly adjusted, and the engine runs smoothly both at idle, and when revved, it is time to locate the idle mixture screw.

The idle mixture screw controls the air fuel mixture at idle speed, and often is located near the throttle plate.

Step 7: Adjust idle mixture screw until you achieve a smooth idle. Once the idle mixture screw has been identified, adjust it until the engine is idling smoothly, with no misfires or shakes, and at the proper speed.

In much the same manner as making the air fuel mixture adjustment, back the idle mixture screw off into a lean condition, and then adjust it in quarter turn increments, until the desired idle speed is achieved.

Step 8: Reinstall the air filter and test drive the vehicle. Once all the adjustments have been made, and the engine is running smoothly across all engine speeds, reinstall the air filter and housing onto the carburetor, and test drive the vehicle.

Take note of any changes in the vehicle’s power output, throttle response, and fuel consumption. If need be, go back and make any required adjustments, until the vehicle is running smoothly.

Reduce Fuel Consumption Device

Fuel-saving devices are sold on the aftermarket with claims to improve the fuel economy and/or the exhaust emissions of any purport to optimize ignition, air flow, or fuel flow in some way. An early example of such a device sold with difficult-to-justify claims is the 200 mpg_‑US (1.2 L/100 km) carburetor designed by Canadian inventor Charles Nelson Pogue.

The US EPA is required by Section 511 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to test many of these devices and to provide public reports on their efficacy; the agency finds most devices do not improve fuel economy to any measurable degree, unlike forced induction, water injection (engine), intercooling and other fuel economy devices which have been long proven.

Tests by Popular Mechanics magazine also found unproven types of devices yield no measurable improvements in fuel consumption or power, and in some cases actually decrease both power and fuel economy.

Accessory drive modifications

Modifying the accessory drive system can increase fuel economy and performance to some extent. Underdrive pulleys modify the amount of engine power that can be drawn by accessory devices.

Such alterations to the drive systems for alternators or air conditioning compressors (rather than the power steering pump, for example) can be detrimental to vehicle usability (e.g., by not keeping the battery fully charged), but will not impair safety.

Fuel & oil additives

Compounds sold for addition to the vehicle’s fuel may include tin, magnesium and platinum. The claimed purpose of these is generally to improve the energy density of the fuel. Additives for addition to the engine oil, sometimes marketed as “engine treatments”, contain teflon, zinc, or chlorine compounds.

Magnets

Magnets attached to a vehicle’s fuel line have been claimed to improve fuel economy by aligning fuel molecules, but because motor fuels are non-polar, no such alignment or other magnetic effect on the fuel is possible. When tested, typical magnet devices had no effect on vehicle performance or economy.

Vapor devices

Some devices claim to improve efficiency by changing the way that liquid fuel is converted to vapor. These include fuel heaters and devices to increase or decrease turbulence in the intake manifold.

These do not work on standard vehicles because the principle is already applied to the design of the engine. This method is however integral to making vegetable oil conversions, and similar heavy oil engines, run at all.

Air bleed devices

Devices have been marketed which bleed a small amount of air into the fuel line before the carburetor. These may improve fuel economy because the engine runs slightly lean as a consequence.

However, running leaner than the manufacturer intended can cause overheating, piston damage, loss of maximum power and poor emissions (e.g., higher NOx due to higher combustion temperatures, or, if misfiring occurs, greater hydrocarbon emissions).

Electronic devices

Some electronic devices are marketed as fuel savers. The Fuel Doctor FD-47, for example, plugs into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter and displays several LEDs. It is claimed to increase vehicle fuel economy by up to 25% through “power conditioning of the vehicle’s electrical systems”, but Consumer Reports detected no difference in economy or power in tests on ten separate vehicles, finding that the device did nothing but light up.

Car and Driver magazine found that the device contains nothing but “a simple circuit board for the LED lights”, and disassembly and circuit analysis reached the same conclusion. The maker disputed claims that the device has no effect, and proposed changes to the Consumer Reports testing procedure, which when implemented made no difference to the results.

Another device described as ‘electronic’ is the ‘Electronic Engine Ionizer Fuel Saver’. Testing of this device resulted in a loss of power and an engine compartment fire.

There are also genuinely useful ’emissions-control defeat devices’ that operate by allowing a vehicle’s engine to operate outside government-imposed tailpipe emissions parameters. These government standards force factory engines to operate outside their most efficient range of operation.

Either engine control units are reprogrammed to operate more efficiently, or sensors that influence the ECU’s operation are modified or ‘simulated’ to cause it to operate in a more efficient manner. Oxygen sensor simulators allow fuel-economy reducing catalytic converters to be removed. Such devices are often sold for “off-road use only”.

How Can we Reduce Fuel Consumption of Any Engine?

Below we have listed 13 tips concerning how you drive, what you have in your car, and maintenance issues that let you get as much bang for every buck you spend on fuel.

• Drive only when needed. The best way to reduce the fuel consumption is to simply drive your car less. Drive your car only when you really need to. If you only need to travel a few blocks, consider walking or even riding a bicycle. Not only will you save money at the pump, the exercise will certainly do you some good
• Make sure the gas cap is on tight. One reason you may not be getting the mileage you expect is because there isn’t as much gas in your tank as you think. 147 million gallons of gas were lost last year due to evaporation. Why did it evaporate? The gas cap was not on tight. So just make sure it is tight, and it will enable you to keep all the gas you pay for
• Avoid idling. When you do need to drive your car, make sure you avoid idling whenever possible. When your car is running, but not moving, your gas mileage is absolute zero. So if your car will remain stationary for more than a minute or so, switch the engine off. However, only do this when it is safe to do so
• Accelerate and break steadily. While driving, always apply steady and consistent pressure to your car’s accelerator pedal. A heavy foot will always result in reduced gas mileage and poor fuel consumption
• Drive the speed limit. Always try to drive at or near the speed limit. The optimal traveling speed for every make and model vehicle is different. However, the faster you drive, the worse your gas mileage and fuel consumption will be. Drive as fast as you need to in order to maintain a safe driving speed. But, save highway driving speeds for the highway and not around town
• Coast when possible. Constantly accelerating and braking only wastes fuel and reduces your car’s fuel consumption. So, whenever possible, coast and avoid burning excess fuel. This takes a little practice, but can be a great way to increase the fuel economy of your vehicle
• Use cruise control on the highways. Cruise control means that your car will be going at a constant velocity, which means there is no acceleration. No acceleration reduces the amount of work your engine does, and therefore it uses less gas. You should set your cruise control at the speed limit, because 55 miles per hour is the perfect speed for maximum fuel efficiency
• Make your car more aerodynamic. You can do so by removing the roof racks on top of the car, and also by decreasing the weight of the car by taking out unneeded items
• Keep the windows closed. The more aerodynamic your vehicle remains, the better your car’s fuel efficiency. Keeping your windows down while driving creates more drag and wind resistance for your automobile. If you are driving at speeds of less than 35 mph, it is usually okay to keep the windows down. However, at higher speeds, you should keep the windows up order to reduce drag and improve fuel consumption
• Minimize air conditioning. There will be times, of course, when summer heat will cause you to use the air conditioning system. However, use the AC in moderation. If you need to choose between keeping your windows rolled down or using the AC at high speeds, use the air conditioning on a low setting
• Replace dirty air filters. Dirty air filters cause your car’s engine to work much harder than it has to and always results in poor fuel economy. So, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for periodically changing out the air filter. A clean air filter allows your engine to perform more efficiently and also helps you save money at the pump
• Maintain proper tire inflation. Check your car owner’s manual and always ensure your tires are inflated to the proper air pressure level. Improperly inflated tires can reduce your car’s fuel economy by up to five percent in some cases. This is quite simply a complete waste of fuel and money
• Reduce weight in the vehicle. Get rid of any unnecessary items in your car’s trunk or other areas of the vehicle. For every 100 pounds of weight in the vehicle, your car’s fuel economy decreases by about one or two percent. By making sure your vehicle remains as light as possible, you can improve the fuel consumption of your vehicle and save money on your fuel bill

How Can The SMME Reduce The Cost of Fuel?

The higher cost of petrol is likely to put small & medium businesses in South Africa under further pressure in a tight economic environment of rising inflation, says Viresh Harduth, VP at business software developer Sage Africa & Middle East.

But smart thinking about fuel efficiency can help you contain costs, while achieving other goals such as improving overall business efficiencies, Sage said.

The accounting software specialist provides seven ways businesses can counter petrol price increases:

1. Reassess your travel requirements

• Adjust delivery and travel schedules to avoid traffic peak times.
• Use a navigation app, such as Google Maps or Waze to find the fastest route.
• Combine deliveries and errands into one trip. You’ll deliver more products, faster.

2. Consider tele- and flexi-time

• Host meetings via Skype. You’ll buy time and, therefore, productivity.
• If your business model allows, consider flexi-time and remote working arrangements for teams – if you use their time efficiently and respectfully, they’ll be happier and more productive in their jobs.

3. Plan ahead

• Use data to your advantage. An app like Fuelio tracks fuel-related expenses, helping you to know where to optimise and save costs.

4. Consider outsourcing

• Partner with a company that already has the benefit of scale and resources to handle your deliveries.
• Bonus: You’ll save on vehicle maintenance costs and insurance. If outsourcing is not an option, negotiate better rates with suppliers.

5. Prioritise vehicle maintenance

• Dirty air filters, underinflated and misaligned tyres, and irregularly serviced engines contribute to vehicle wear-and-tear and, therefore, higher fuel consumption. Maintained vehicles are also safer.

6. Adopt conscious driving habits

• Fast acceleration, driving in low gears, heavy breaking, speeding and revving all increase fuel consumption.
• Educate drivers and reward them for good driving behaviour.

7. Keep your tax affairs in order

• As a small business, you can claim a tax deduction for all business-related travel expenses. However, SARS won’t remind you about this. Consider keeping a logbook to note all your expenses. This will make the tax return process easier.

What is The Most Efficient Speed to Drive at?

You can boost the overall fuel-efficiency of your car as much as 30% by simple vehicle maintenance and attention to your style of driving.

Maintaining a steady speed helps your engine perform efficiently. In one study conducted in Japan, small variations in speed were shown to increase fuel consumption by as much as 20-48%. Instead of allowing small dips in speed followed by bursts of acceleration, maintain a steady speed.

When traveling in hilly terrain and where traffic permits, allow your car to slow down naturally when traveling uphill and to speed up again when going downhill.

Increasing your highway cruising speed from 55mph (90km/h) to 75mph (120km/h) can raise fuel consumption as much as 20%. You can improve your gas mileage 10 – 15% by driving at 55mph rather than 65mph (104km/h). Natural Resources Canada puts the “sweet spot” for most cars, trucks, and SUVs even lower, between 30 mph (50 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h).

How do I Fix High Fuel Consumption?

Excessive fuel consumption, can also be an indicator of a, much more serious issue that; if left can develop into an expensive repair. So, it would be beneficial to take your vehicle to your local garage to have it checked. Did you know that a vehicle can burn, up to 30 per cent more fuel; if proper maintenance is not performed, on a regular schedule?

Most of these tips will give you a very slight increase in (MPG). But, use several together and the fuel mileage improvements will really add up.

• Avoid quick or ‘jackrabbit” starts and stops.
• Aggressive driving wastes fuel.
• Observe the speed limit. Fuel mileage decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour.
• Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Turn your engine off if, you are going to be stopped in traffic for 15 seconds or longer.
• Use cruise control because, it helps you maintain a constant speed limit.
• Use overdrive gears because, the engine speed goes down, saving fuel and reducing engine wear.
• Avoid carrying unneeded heavy items in your trunk.
• Use air vents to circulate air, instead of air conditioning.

Does Driving Slower Save Fuel?

The simple answer is No, and here is the reason.

The common understanding is that going faster burns more fuel and therefore, the slower you drive, the less fuel your car will use, but this actually isn’t true. Most cars’ peak fuel efficiency occurs somewhere between 50-60 miles per hour.

Any faster, and aerodynamic drag requires your engine to work harder to keep up momentum. Any slower, and your transmission will automatically shift to a lower gear, which requires more fuel to maintain.

Do the speed limit. Driving significantly over or under the legal limit won’t going to save you any gas money.

What is The Formula to Calculate Fuel Consumption?

The current fuel consumption test is a standard laboratory assessment designed to exclude the myriad of variables that a vehicle is subjected to in everyday driving. 

These variables include:

• road, traffic, and weather conditions
• driving style
• vehicle speed, load, and condition 

The intent is to provide figures that will allow comparison of one vehicle to another, but as we know these figures aren’t representative of the fuel consumption a vehicle might achieve under actual operating conditions. 

For motorists, the only readily available fuel consumption test method involves actual on-road driving and calculation of fuel consumption based on the distance travelled and the volume of fuel used. 
The following formula is used to calculate fuel consumption in litres / 100kms, the most commonly used measure of fuel consumption.

(Litres used X 100) ÷ km travelled = Litres per 100km.

Example a car uses 65 litres to travel 500km

(65 X 100) ÷ 500 = 13

It’s important to note when comparing on-road fuel consumption figures that differences in road, weather and vehicle conditions can alter fuel consumption figures considerably, even for an apparently similar trip.

How do You Adjust Air Fuel Mixture?

Your vehicle needs to have the right measure of air-fuel entering the engine to make it work effectively. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to adjust the air fuel mixture screw in your car or motorcycle. Read on to uncover how to adjust your air fuel mixture screw in this DIY steps:

Step One: Warm Up Your Car Engine

The first thing to do is to start your car by putting the key in the ignition or pressing the ignition button. Allow the engine to warm up for about five minutes in it’s idle position.

Always make air fuel mixture screw adjustments with a warm engine and the engine running, so you can listen to how the adjustments affect the engine’s idle speed. Adjusting the air fuel mixture screw on any device with a Carburetor requires that you turn on the engine before you start.

Step Two: Locate The Carburetor

The air filter is attached to the Carburetor, and it is normally round or cone-shaped.  The air filter on a car might be large and round. It usually sits on top of the carburetor. On a motorcycle, the air filter usually comes off the side of the engine and faces the rear of the bike.

Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, different carburetors may have multiple, sometimes up to four, air fuel mixture adjustment screws.

Step Three: Find The Air Fuel Mixture Screw

The air filter screw is usually distinct from other screws on the Carburetor. This screw is usually a flat-headed, slotted, gold-colored brass screw on the carburetor. Depending on the engine type of your vehicle or motorcycle, the air filter screw is often located on the side of the Carburetor.

Step Four: Tighten The Air Fuel Mixture Screw Until The Engine Begins To Sound Rough

Using a flat head screwdriver, tighten the air filter screw clockwise until the engine’s idle sound begins to sound rough. Tightening the air filter screw will result in a lean air-fuel mixture , and reduces the amount of fuel entering the engine.

This reduces the RPM at which the engine idles. If left this way, your car will have less fuel to run efficiently. This will damage your car engine because there is more friction between moving parts and the engine operates at a higher temperature.

Step Five: Loosen The Air Fuel Mixture Screw

Counting the number of rotations you make, turn the air filter screw anticlockwise to loosen the air filter screw until the engine begins to sound irregular i.e revving up. Loosening the air filter screw allows for a rich air-fuel mixture as more fuel flows into the engine.

This increases the RPMs at which the engine idles. Leaving the air-filter screw this way implies your engine has more than enough fuel to run efficiently. This will result in your car or motorcycle consuming more fuel than necessary, hence, increasing your daily fuel expenses.

Step Six: Set Your Air Fuel Mixture Screw Mid-Way Between The Irregular And Rough Engine Sound

This step will make you know the perfect setting position for your air fuel mixture screw. Using your flat head screwdriver, turn the air fuel mixture screw approximately in the middle location between where the engine’s idle sounds irregular and rough. This will set the engine at a regular idle speed.

Step Seven: Make Necessary Adjustments

If you are not satisfied with the sound you are hearing, you can turn the screw ½ a turn either clockwise or anticlockwise until the engine’s idle sounds most even and smooth to balance the fuel mixture. This adjustment process is also known as balancing the idle mixture.

How do You Tell if a Carburetor is Rich or Lean?

In order to regulate the carburetor, the engine must be at normal running temperature. If the mixture is too rich, the engine will ‘hunt’ ie. the idling speed will not be constant. It could either increase speed or cut out by itself.

If on the other hand the mixture is too lean, the engine will cut out when the throttle is opened. When the engine is warm it must be able to tick over at a constant speed without cutting out, and also respond immediately to the throttle being opened.

Hold a sheet of paper behind the exhaust pipe. If after a minute or so, you see spots of soot on the paper, it’s an indication that the mixture is either too rich, or that there could be another problem with the engine, fuel pump or carburetor.

What Does Fuel Surcharge Mean?

For businesses that transport their products within North America and carriers, protecting their bottom line from volatile fuel prices is an ongoing concern. One way to garner some protection from a fluctuating fuel price is the fuel surcharge.

The fuel surcharge is the total cost for fuel usage. It is a contract between the shipper and another party that sets a standard rate for the fuel and how much will be paid above the base rate, and what fuel price triggers the surcharge, or no surcharge at all.

In Canada and the United States, government agencies provide the average cost for diesel across the country. Every Monday, Canada’s National Traffic Services revises and updates the Fuel Surcharge (FSC). In the United States, every week the US National Average On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices is released by the Department of Energy.

Fuel surcharges are not the only cost in a freight rate, but they are significant especially since they are based on fuel prices that will likely fluctuate. As long as fuel prices do remain volatile, fuel surcharges are likely to continue.

What Steps Can be Taken to Improve Fuel Efficiency of Vehicles?

Whether you’re dealing with rising gas prices or looking at ways to shrink your budget, now is a great time to reflect on your driving habits. You may be pleased to learn that you can improve your fuel efficiency with five simple steps.

1. Clear out the extra clutter
   There are some items you should keep in your car, like an emergency kit. However, as little as 100 pounds can reduce your fuel efficiency. Clear out forgotten backpacks, sports equipment and extra books, and you’ll be amazed at how things add up.
   Don’t forget about the outside of your car, too. Remove excess add-ons that increase wind resistance and decrease fuel efficiency, such as:
   
   • Roof racks
   • Cargo boxes
   • Bike racksRear-mounted cargo boxes are a better option if you need to haul additional items. At highway speeds, roof-mounted cargo boxes can reduce fuel economy by 6 to 17%, while their rear-mounted counterparts typically have a 1 to 5% impact.
2. Limit idling
   You may have noticed that many late-model vehicles already feature the stop-start system. This allows cars to conserve fuel by automatically shutting down the engine when the car comes to a stop. The engine automatically restarts when the brake is released.
   Surprisingly, idling uses more fuel than restarting your car and gives off 80% more pollution than when your car is in motion. The next time you come to a stop and are waiting for someone, consider turning off your engine to save on fuel.
3. Keep your speed steady and within the speed limit
   After reaching 45-50 mph, your car begins to lose fuel efficiency. And the faster you go, the worse it gets. It’s best to drive the speed limit and use cruise control when possible. Rapid acceleration and hard braking quickly eat up fuel, so avoid those actions whenever possible.
4. Check your tire pressure
   When your tires are underinflated, fuel consumption can increase by as much as 3%. Plus, without proper tire inflation, you risk wearing down your treads more quickly. Check your owner’s manual or the tire wall for the correct PSI for your tires.
5. Perform regular maintenance
   Filthy air filters, spark plugs and connections can all affect your fuel economy. When you follow the maintenance schedule recommended by your dealership, your vehicle will be more efficient and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Schedule regular tune-ups with your dealership to replace air filters, motor oil, tire rotation

Is it Cheaper to Fill up at Half a Tank?

The answer is True! You should definitely fill your tank when you stop to fuel up at the gas station. 

The fact is, if you fill your tank only half full every time you visit the gas station, you’re going to have to make twice as many trips to the gas station then if you were to fill it up every time.

That’s twice as many kilometres, twice as many starts and stops and twice as much time idling waiting for the pump. Over the course of a year, this can really add up. This also means that you spend twice as much time travelling to the gas station. 

In Canada it can get pretty chilly in winter, and when temperatures are well below zero there is a chance for water condensation to form in your gas tank and fuel lines. As you run your vehicle the gas is heated up and when you turn it off it cools allowing condensation to take place.

You can’t stop condensation from happening completely, but if your tank is full there is far less room for this condensation to form, meaning that you will have less in your tank and fuel lines.

Some say that since a half a tank weighs less, it takes less fuel to drive around town on it. This may be true to a point, but the savings are insignificant at this level. Your gas tank, when full, accounts for less than 5% of your car’s total weight (that’s about 120 pounds). Reducing the weight of your car by 2.5% (by only filling your tank half full) would not have a noticeable effect on your fuel consumption.

When all is said and done, there isn’t a huge difference in fuel consumption, but there are some definite pros to filling your tank. The time savings of less frequent trips to the gas station and lower chances of running out of gas are enough to sway judgement on this one alone

Which Gear is Most Fuel Efficient?

All cars are designed to start at the lowest gear, as that’s where you get the most power for acceleration, but driving at the highest gear will increase fuel economy.

Fuel consumption will increase when you stay long at lower gears. Driving slow at the highest gear will also increase fuel consumption. Use the highest possible gear when it’s safe to do so, and don’t stay at lower gears for long.

You can use cruise control to maintain a steady speed while driving downhill or on flat roads. This will also help in saving fuel. Using cruise control when driving uphill will cause your car to speed up, resulting in higher fuel consumption.

Which Fuel is Best For my Car?

our car’s owner’s manual should outline the recommended fuel for your vehicle. This information can also often be found on the inside of the fuel cap.

So, if the label on the cap says ‘unleaded petrol only’, it can run on regular unleaded petrol or higher octane fuels. Conversely, ‘premium unleaded fuel only’ signifies that your car should only be filled with fuel above 95.

Here’s the recommended fuel for some of the top-quoted car models through our car insurance comparison service:

Make, model and year	Recommended fuel
Toyota Corolla 2013	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Mazda 3 2013	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Holden Commodore 2011	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Toyota Camry 2013	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Toyota Hilux 2013	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Ford Falcon 2010	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Hyundai I30 2013	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Volkswagen Golf 2018	95 or 98
Mitsubishi Lancer 2009	91 or higher octane petrol (95 and 98)
Toyota Yaris 2008	91 or E10

Does Engine Oil Affect Fuel Consumption?

This is a simple question that we rarely think to consider. Does an oil change affect my car’s performance? If I don’t change my oil often enough, will my performance go down? What if I change it more often? Am I even clear on what I mean when I say ‘performance’ in this context?

The first thing we need to be clear on is that changing oil at the proper time is the best thing you can do for the life of the engine. You can use fuel additives to keep the injectors clean. You can use the right octane rating of gasoline.

You can do lots of things, big or small. But changing the oil within the recommended period (every 5,000 – 7,000 miles for most manufacturers) is the number one thing that will keep any car or truck running well for its entire vehicle life.

Not changing your oil often enough allows harmful dirt, particulates and acids to degrade key engine parts. It also increases the buildup of sludge and lessens the oil’s ability to dissipate heat, increasing engine stress. So not changing your oil often enough is a bad idea. But what effects does it have on performance?

When we say ‘performance’, we mean gas mileage primarily.  Running an engine on old, sludgy oil will cause a decrease in fuel economy. How much? The book’s still out on that; we’re not aware of any good automotive engineering studies that have quantified the effect.

But when oil thickens and becomes sludgy because it’s past due to change, it loses some of its lubricity and makes the engine work harder. Old oil will break down due to exposure to heat, losing its ability to maintain the viscosity needed to do its job.

Without the right viscosity, the oil loses the essential ability to get where it needs to go in the engine. The engine runs hotter and less efficiently, robbing the engine of both gas mileage AND horsepower.

How Sludge Affects Performance

Old oil past due for a change is a recipe for developing oil sludge. This thick sludge can block key pathways of oil flow, limiting the oil’s ability to flow where key parts need it to be. These parts don’t get the lubrication they need.

The sludge also insulates hot parts of the engine, which is a bad thing. Part of the function of oil is to draw heat after from engine parts. If they’re covered in sludge, they stay hotter longer and their life is reduced.

So the basic answer to the question does oil change affect performance is pretty easy. Old oil will reduce engine performance, lower its horsepower, reduce its mileage and eventually shorten its life. Be sure to get your oil change in accordance with the recommendations of your vehicle owner’s manual.

What is a Good Fuel Consumption?

The generally accepted standard has risen from a consumption of around 8.1 to 7.1 litres per 100km (35-40mpg) in the past to more like 5.6 to 5.1 litres (50-55mpg). As a rule of thumb, vehicles listed at less than 6.0 litres/100km are considered to have ‘good’ MPG.

If you’re driving a compact diesel you should expect to see 5.6 litres/100km (50mpg) in daily driving, even if you are in urban traffic a lot. A good down-sized turbo petrol should easily exceed 7.1 litres/100km (40mpg) in real world conditions, while a hybrid should really be getting better than 4.7 litres/100km (60mpg), but you will need to try hard to get that, as much will depend on your driving style.

The current passion for all things SUV has an impact though. You can expect to knock around 5mpg off those averages if you’re driving something tall – especially if the car has four-wheel drive, which means extra weight and more mechanical friction.

When buying a used car try to look for one that has a full service history as engines that have been well looked after tend to be more efficient and will yield better fuel economy figures than neglected engines.

What is The Best RPM For Fuel Economy?

In general, the economical band for petrol vehicles is between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm (for diesels it is between 1,300 rpm and 2,000 rpm), and these bands are the same for the vast majority of vehicles, Sale says. “The exception to the rules are vehicles which have either a very high or a very low power to weight ratio.

If the engine has a lot of power but very little weight (for example, the 1.6l Mini diesel) then the revs can be kept closer to 1,600 or 1,700 rpm rather than going right to 2,000 rpm.

Equally, if a low-powered engine is fitted to a heavy vehicle then it is likely that the engine will have to work much harder to move the mass of vehicle along, hence the need to rev the engine higher than the 2,500rpm top end of the band.

How do I Get Fuel Efficient?

Everyone’s trying to save money on gas these days. With the speedy way gas prices change, it’s easy to see why. Check out our tips for fuel-efficient driving and learn how to save gas while you watch the savings add up.

1. Don’t Be a Lead Foot

Putting the “pedal to the metal” wastes gas because the harder you accelerate, the more fuel is wasted. Pressing the accelerator pedal gently will help you save gas. Following this rule of thumb allows for more efficient driving.

Aim to take about five seconds to accelerate your vehicle up to 15 miles per hour from a stop. For a manual transmission, use a moderate throttle position and shift between 2000 and 2500 rpm.

One way to help not accelerate too quickly is to imagine there’s an egg under the gas pedal. When you accelerate, pretend the gas pedal is pressing down on the egg. This mental trick can help you speed up safely, which means saving gas and cash.

2. Keep it Steady for Fuel-Efficient Driving

Have you ever wondered why mileage is different between highway and city driving? Take a look at conventional gas-powered cars and you’ll see that highway driving always gets the better mileage rating. As an example, take a look at the Corolla. Its EPA-estimated MPG is higher for highway driving than city driving.

The reason for this has to do with sudden changes of speed. Dips in speed combined with spurts of rapid acceleration can increase your fuel use by up to 30 percent on the highway. That’s why stopping and going quickly can reduce fuel efficiency. If you’re not in city driving conditions, try to avoid rapid starts and stops.

On the highway, cruise control is a fuel efficient tool if you’re going on a road trip or have a long commute. It saves fuel and helps keep your car in working order. Just be careful to follow official road signs and turn off cruise control when there are hazardous driving conditions.

3. Stay Alert and Keep Proper Distance

Keep your vehicle’s momentum by planning your maneuvers ahead of time. Pay attention to the road in front of you.

Anticipate the movements of pedestrians and other drivers and keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.

If you’re unsure what a safe distance is, try counting seconds. It works like this: when you’re on the road, pick an inanimate object like a road sign, marker, or something solid that doesn’t move. Watch the car in front of you pass the object and start counting.

This rule used to be called the “2-second rule” because it was often advised to count 2 seconds. It’s now known that there are different count times for different driving conditions.

Speed limits of 35-55 miles per hour require a distance of 3 seconds. Count 4 seconds for speeds 55-75 mph and when it is raining, roads are wet, or in heavy traffic. For snowy and icy roads, count 7-8 seconds for a safer ride.

This counting tip can help you keep a proper distance and help achieve better gas mileage.

Many Toyota vehicles also feature Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. This active safety system is designed to sense the car in front of you, making automatic speed adjustments to help you maintain a safe following distance.

4. Don’t Slam on the Brakes

If the stop-and-go of city traffic hinders mileage, abrupt stops can, too. In regular driving situations, it’s better to coast toward a stop sign or red light instead of slamming on the brakes. This helps save fuel and money.

It’s not just an efficient driving habit, it also puts less wear on your tires and brakes too. This helps you save on maintenance and repair costs.

5. Check Your Tire Pressure

In addition to these fuel-efficient driving techniques, be sure to maintain your tires at the correct pressure. Check the pressure often and fill them up when you see the tire pressure warning light.

If you’re unsure how much air your tires need, check inside the driver’s side door. Many newer cars have a sticker there that lists the correct PSI for your vehicle. “What about the information on the tire itself?” That is a good question!

Tire makers like to put useful information on tires, like how much PSI they can take. However, it’s important to note that you should never exceed that amount.

There are a few reasons for this. The first has to do with wear and tear. If you over-inflate your tires, the tread section will round out. This causes the middle tread to wear down faster. On average, you could be cutting your tires’ lifespan in half.

The second reason has to do with loss of traction. The more you inflate, the more likely it is that your tires will lose contact with the road. This could lead to spinning out, or even crashing. This is truer in the winter months when the roads may be slick.

The third reason has to do with your ride. With over-inflated tires, you’ll feel every bump and dip while driving. What used to be a smooth ride will now be bumpy.

The most important reason to maintain your tires is that tire pressure increases as you drive. Suppose 44 is the max PSI your tires can take.

If you check the tires after a drive, the pressure might be much less than 44 PSI. That’s because the PSI lowers as the car cools off.

In fact, the PSI your car manufacturer recommends is the PSI you should get when the car has cooled off. The PSI the tire manufacturer notes is the PSI the tires might have while moving.

6. Be More Fuel Efficient with Less Cargo

Have you ever come home from a road trip and found that your car ran better the next time you drove it? On the trip, it may have felt bogged down and slow. On the way to the store the next day, perhaps it felt light and sporty. There’s a good reason for this.

Having extra cargo drags down fuel efficiency. Unless you need that extra load, it is best to leave it out of the car. Unpack the car when you get home and leave in what you need for your next drive.

7. Combine Trips

Are you going on vacation soon? If you are, you might have a lot of errands to run. Trips to the store for sunscreen, extra towels, or getting munchies for the road can really add up.

If you want to reduce fuel consumption, combine all your trips into one. Make a list of what you need and map out the route for a seamless errand run. This not only saves time, but it can also save gas.

This trick is an even more economical strategy in cooler weather. Warming up your car engine takes gas and energy. Combining all trips into one saves you from unneeded warm ups.

8. How to Save Gas in the Summer

Did you know that hotter temps make cars more fuel efficient? A hot day helps your car’s engine warm up to an efficient temp faster. The gas available in hotter temps also has slightly better energy.

But all the gas savings can easily dissipate when you turn on the AC. Here’s what you can do to keep gas spending and car temps low.

Don’t use the AC at low speeds. Opt for rolling down the windows instead. This helps keep the cabin cool and helps the hot air escape.

If you have to use the AC, try to save it for when you’re on the highway. Open the windows for a moment first to release all the hot air. This makes it easier for the AC to cool the cabin and car.

Another way to reduce AC use is to park in shaded places. This keeps the car cooler so you’ll feel more comfortable using less AC.

9. Reduce Heater Use in Winter

Heaters and air conditioners are supposed to help keep the car comfortable. It’s the reason many cars have AC, heating, and sometimes seat warmers.

But relying on climate controllers really drags down gas efficiency. To save gas in winter, try parking in a warm place like a garage. This fends off the cold and uses less gas to warm things up later.

One other thing you can do is avoid turning on the heater in an idle car for too long. The best thing to do is to turn on the heat just before getting in your car or while the car is running. This speeds up the warm up time and saves gas.

What Are The Best Spark Plugs For Fuel Economy?

There are many variations of spark plugs available on the market. If you were to go to your local auto repair shop and ask for a new spark plug, they probably wouldn’t tell you what kind of spark plug they’re putting into your vehicle.

So, if you were to educate yourself on the best spark plugs around, then you’d know what to spark plug to request for your vehicle. Better yet, purchase them beforehand (you’ll save some money) and simply have the repair shop install them for you if you don’t feel comfortable doing the job yourself.

Without further ado, here are five of the best spark plugs for the money:

1. NGK G-Power platinum alloy spark plugs

NGK G-Power platinum alloy spark plugs are arguably the best spark plugs for the money. They offer excellent performance with greater fuel efficiency to save you money in the long run.

The center electrode core is made out of copper while the ground electrode is made of nickel alloy. They are made to last 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

2. NGK Iridium IX Spark Plugs

The NGK Iridium IX plugs are high quality iridium spark plugs made for the auto enthusiast who demands better performance.

They are designed to operate over a much wider heat range than the competition.

They come pre-gapped but check your owner’s manual to confirm correct gap. Expect a 40,000 to 50,000 mile lifespan.

3. Bosch Double Platinum Spark Plugs

They may be slightly more expensive than others, but with Bosch Double Platinum plugs, you certainly get what you pay for. There’s good reason why Bosch is the OEM spark plug used by many car manufacturers.

Because of the ultra fine wire design, expect better ignitability, performance, and fuel economy. Their 5-year satisfaction guarantee also says something about their long service life.

4. Denso Platinum TT Spark Plugs

Denso is another well respected brand when it comes to high quality spark plugs. The Denso Platinum TT plugs offer twin-tip technology with a platinum center electrode and titanium enhanced ground electrode.

You’ll likely get faster starts, better fuel economy, and quicker acceleration over the lesser plugs you currently have.

5. Motorcraft Platinum Spark Plugs

If you have a Ford, it’s hard to beat genuine Motorcraft spark plugs. The platinum electrode plugs come pre-gapped and are the direct OEM replacement that came with your Ford car or truck.

Get quieter idling, faster startup, better gas mileage, and better overall performance. Your vehicle will feel like the day you bought it.

10 Ways to Cut Auto Fuel Costs

Improving the fuel economy of existing fleet vehicles is an area that fleets can start working on today. Here are 10 strategies to help you reduce fuel consumption and spending.

1. Make sure your tires are properly inflated.

According to a study published by the NHTSA, fuel efficiency can be improved by an average of 0.6% up to a maximum of 3% with properly inflated tires (the correct psi). That’s because for every 1 psi below recommended tire pressure, you lose about 0.2% in fuel efficiency.

Tire pressure is also affected by outside temperatures, so be sure to check tire pressure frequently, especially when the weather fluctuates. This is especially true in cold climates or extremely hot ones.

Geotab telematics can help to ensure tire pressure is checked frequently by setting automated emailed maintenance reminders, or by including tire pressure in your drivers’ vehicle inspection (DVIR) checklist.

2. Check that the oxygen sensor is working properly.

Every vehicle manufactured, starting around the 1980s, are now equipped with at least one oxygen sensor. These sensors constantly analyze the oxygen concentration in the vehicle’s exhaust gases.

Input from the sensor is sent to the engine computer to determine how much fuel to add in every combustion cycle. Unfortunately, these sensors do need to be replaced overtime and can become faulty.

Repairing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve mileage up to 40%, as cited by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Geotab can help to identify faulty oxygen sensors by setting up emailed or pop-up exception notifications when a fault is triggered regarding the oxygen sensor. This means prompt repair of the sensor, lessening the impact it will have on the vehicle’s fuel economy.

3. Choose smooth roads wherever possible.

An often overlooked contributor to fuel inefficiency is road surface quality. Energy from the engine is used for more than forward momentum — every bounce or shake of the vehicle takes away expensive kinetic energy that you paid for at the pump.

Unfortunately, road quality is rarely something under a fleet’s control. But with Geotab, you can help your drivers avoid bad roads by planning and dispatching routes that avoid those areas.

Traffic congestion is a similar issue. In a study published by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), traffic congestion was found to negatively impact a vehicle’s fuel economy by 20-40% depending on the level of gridlock.

4. Right-size engines and match the vehicle to the route.

Choosing the right vehicle for the task is also important. For example, one could select alternative fuel vehicles such as battery-electric vehicles for shorter routes and assign lightweight, gasoline vehicles to longer routes.

Downsizing to vehicles with smaller engines can also save a lot on fuel. Oftentimes, the vehicle specifications chosen provide more power than most routes need. For example, one shipping and logistics company purchased trucks with right-sized engines depending on each route, which are now 70-100% more fuel efficient than the trucks they replaced, according to Automotive Fleet (May 2013, p. 20).

5. Keep an eye on idling and smart shifting.

The fewer times your engine is started, the less fuel your vehicle will consume. Changing gears sooner can help lower your overall revolutions per minute, resulting in lower gas consumption.

Another gas guzzling habit is idling. With vehicles running when they probably don’t need to be, unnecessary consumption equates to unnecessary costs, which is only amplified when a business operates more vehicles. Reminding drivers to turn off their engine can have huge paybacks in the short and long term.

Telematics technology can help alert drivers to turn their engines off when their vehicles have been put into “Park.” Idling reports can also allow managers to work with specific drivers who idle regularly.

6. Set speed restrictions.

Reducing and restricting your speed is another method for reducing fuel waste. The implementation of speed restrictions in fleet management can be helpful when it comes to saving fuel. This is due to the fact that slower speeds require less fuel, ultimately resulting in lower fuel expenditures. The UMTRI study found that driving at high speeds can lower a vehicle’s mpg by as much as 30 percent.

Telematics technology can also help drivers reduce fuel consumption by reminding them to slow down and stay within the speed limit. Reports can also provide managers a quick look at which drivers are violating the speeding policy.

7. Curb aggressive driving.

Aggressive driving leads to greater fuel use, which includes speeding, accelerating, harsh braking, and even sharp cornering. It’s important to change driver habits so as to improve vehicle economy. According to the UMTRI study, aggressive driving can negatively affect fuel economy by as much as 20-30 percent.

8. Lighten the load.

Having a lighter vehicle load can help contribute to saving fuel. The lighter the vehicle, the more fuel efficient it will be. Car manufacturers now build vehicles with composite body parts, which significantly decrease the weight of the vehicle.

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This also means making sure that drivers are carrying only what they need as part of their cargo. The EPA reports that every extra 100 pounds of weight on a vehicle can lower fuel economy by 1 percent. Carrying cargo on the roof can be even worse.

9. Switch to alternative vehicles.

Switching to alternative fuels or electric vehicles, where possible, is also a great way to lower fuel costs. It can help save on fuel expenses since these vehicles are often cheaper to run per gallon than regular gasoline or diesel.

Not only can running these vehicles be cheaper, but the associated maintenance costs are typically lower as well since there are fewer moving parts and components that have the potential to fail. Check out the Department of Energy’s website for more about alternative vehicles.

10. Work with the right telematics partner.

Here at Geotab, we are dedicated to helping businesses realize a solid return on their telematics investment. Getting better mpg lies at the heart of what we do, as there are many contributing factors for reducing overall fuel expenditures.

Final Thoughts

Not only do the costs of running a business keep increasing, when you own (or lease) a fleet of vehicles to keep your business growing, fluctuating fuel prices can also put a damper on your profit. It is essential that you do everything that you can to make sure that you are not wasting valuable money on fuel by following the tips in this article.