How to improve your fuel efficiency

In the past year, the price of fuel in Australia has increased to an all time high. As a result, you may find yourself standing at the fuel pump wondering what you can do to make your fuel go that little bit further. Don’t worry though, we’ve pulled together some simple things you can do to get the most out of every tank of fuel.

Firstly, it is beneficial to know the starting point for your fuel consumption. You can calculate this easily by filling your tank completely, taking a note of your odometer reading, then next time you fill up your tank, take a note of how many litres it takes to fill it up completely again and how many kilometres you have driven since you filled it up the first time. Divide the number of litres you put in by the number of kilometres you drove and multiply it by 100, as fuel consumption is measured as L/100km.

There are hundreds of potential ways to save fuel, but we’ve narrowed it down to four easy things you can do that will make the most difference.

Driving style

• Ensure you are always driving in the correct gear
• Accelerate smoothly and avoid idling
• Don’t use air conditioning unnecessarily

Aerodynamics

• Ensure any covers on the undercarriage of your car are fitted correctly
• Remove roof racks when they are not in use

Weight reduction

• Remove any unnecessary weight from your car (tools, camping gear etc.)

Tyre maintenance

• Ensure your tyres are at the correct pressures.

You can calculate your fuel consumption again after making these changes to see if it has been effective for your vehicle. If you find that these methods do not make any difference and your car is still using too much fuel, you may want to consult your local mechanic.