8 Tips To Save Fuel When Driving

Owning a car in Singapore is expensive. If you find yourself visiting the petrol station far too often,  these 8 tips to save fuel when driving will lessen the strain on your wallet, and help save the environment.

1. Keep car tyres inflated

Check your car tyres at least once a month to ensure that they are properly inflated. Inflated tyres not only reduce drag on the road, but also provide you with better control of your vehicle.

2. Lose any unnecessary weight from your car

This is plain physics. When your car is lighter, it requires less fuel to travel. Most drivers are guilty of storing unnecessary bulky items in their car boot, such as golf clubs, trolleys, and storage containers. By clearing these items, you’ll probably reduce your car’s fuel consumption.

3. Switch off car engine when idling

Even when your car is idle, it still burns petrol. As a rule of thumb, you should switch off your car engine if you’re expecting a wait of more than a minute.

4. Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking

Did you know you can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10% by avoiding unnecessary acceleration and braking? To avoid these actions, simply travel at a constant speed and if possible, anticipate traffic conditions ahead of you. If you’re coming to a stop, try to slow down gradually instead of making an abrupt stop.

5. Combine multiple errands into single trip

Kill two (or multiple) birds with one stone by planning your errands around a single trip. Making several short trips can use twice as much fuel than a single long trip. Sure, it might be tiring to complete multiple errands at once, but it’ll definitely help you save money in the long run.

6. Reduce aerodynamic drag

Have a habit of driving with the windows down? You might want to wind them up when travelling at high speeds. For those unaware, open windows can impact fuel economy due by increasing aerodynamic drag. Other external fixtures such as roof racks and spoilers also affect the aerodynamis of a vehicle.

7. Avoid pressing too hard on the accelerator

Unless you’re an F1 driver, there’s no need for you to put the “pedal to the metal”. By jamming the accelerator, not only are you wasting fuel, but you might wear out the gears in your car more quickly. And yes, these costs money to replace.

8. Service car regularly

Having a well-tuned engine can help you save money and fuel. When your engine is running smoothly, it burns petrol more efficiently. This releases more energy to run your vehicle. Keeping your air filters cleaned is also another way you can reduce fuel consumption.

Thinking of getting a car? Compare the best car loans on SingSaver

By Motorist.sg

Motorist.sg is Singapore's leading autoconcierge vehicle platform. We help you manage your vehicle and provide you with a range of auto services, such as selling or scrapping your car, COE renewal and auto insurance.