Fuel-Frugal Secrets

Tint THE windows
It cuts off daytime heat to your car interior and reduces the workload on your air-conditioning unit.

Open windows are a drag
At speeds faster than 50kmh, open windows increase wind drag and fuel wastage. To cool off alternatively, run your climate system on “outside” air and crank the window just a tiny bit.

Maintenance is key
Service the engine, tyre pressure, wheel alignment, filters etc as they contribute to the fuel efficiency of the car. For example, flat tyres use more fuel; setting the pressure slightly higher can save a penny or two.

Choose the right oils
Unless you are driving a high-performance fast car, you only need the cheaper 95 or 98 octane variations. “Premium” octane does not mean it is a “better” performer.

Switch off the engine when stationary
Today’s fuel injection engines do not need warming up (but go easy on the pedal till the car is nicely purring). If you are stopping for more than a minute, shut off the engine. Restarting consumes much less than idling. And that is why a hybrid electric-petrol car like the new Lexus RX 400H automatically shuts off the engine when the car is not moving, saving fuel in city traffic.

Avoid rough roads
Dirt or gravel on uneven roads that are under construction can waste up to 30 per cent of your petrol!

Park in reverse so you can easily drive out
Reversing chomps gas.

Push off slowly, drive smoothly and brake gently
The more you accelerate hard and brake sharply, the more petrol your car guzzles. Travelling at 90kmh as opposed to 110kmh can reduce consumption by up to 25 per cent. If your full tank is $60, then you’ve saved an extra $15 by observing the legal limit.

Don’t yo-yo on the accelerator
Don’t pump on the pedal in a jerky manner (notice how your speed needle fluctuates up and down). Use the cruise control feature to maintain speed and petrol cost.

Don’t flog that Aircon
The average car with aircon uses 20 per cent more juice. Cool it down a little before flipping the aircon button when you get in.