6 Easy Tips To Reduce Fuel Consumption

Fuel prices in the UAE have come down this January, however getting into some good driving habits that would help you spend less money at the pump will always be good for one wallet.

1. Accelerate Smoothly

Quick acceleration might sound cool, but it’s one reason you might be visiting the gas station more often than you should. Also, quick acceleration harms your motor so it is important to train yourself to be gentle when accelerating. The idea is to get to 80km/h in about 15-20 seconds. Once you hit the desirable speed – which is an average of 60km/h in Dubai – maintain it to avoid wasting energy on decelerating and then accelerating again.

2. Use Cruise Control

The best approach for fuel economy is to drive at a steady speed. Hence, using cruise control should be your best friend whenever possible (ex: highway roads).

3. Brake Gradually

Sometimes we tend to hit the brakes so hard that we almost stop the car in an unnecessary situation! This then results in using more energy to accelerate again. Make sure to decelerate gradually and without using your brakes too much. We know how hard this is sometimes, especially in Dubai, where traffic lights go from green to red in a split second and drivers move lanes without indicating. Remember to leave enough space between the cars in front of you. That also helps reduce fuel consumption.

4. Keep Your Tyres Inflated

The more resistance your car has to get moving, the more fuel it will burn. Tyres that are deflated could increase the rolling resistance up to 20 per cent! Check the pressure of your tyres at least once a month.

5. Reduce The Weight Of Your Car

The weight of your car significantly affects how much fuel it will consume. Just like us, humans, the heavier the car, the more energy it will require to get moving. Hence, it is advised to remove all the unnecessary stuff that might be increasing the weight of your car.

6. Avoid Excessive Idling

Idling is running the engine of your vehicle when it is not in motion. Unnecessary idling will consume more fuel than you would assume, especially if you are putting your AC on. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle.