Interviewed when petrol prices were at an all time high in New Zealand, Gisborne auto services manager Garth Cranefield said drivers could save petrol and subsequently a lot of money if they only kept up with routine car maintenance. Congested air filters and under-inflated tyres were the worst culprits for diminishing fuel efficiency.
Clogged Air Filters Affect Fuel Efficiency
Neglecting routine oil changes caused increased friction and labouring of an engine, decreasing fuel efficiency, Mr Cranefield said.
The most common mistake drivers made was neglecting to replace air filters, especially after a summer spent driving on dusty roads, Mr Cranefield said. The more clogged the air filter, the harder the engine had to work to get air to mix with the fuel.
A clogged air filter alone could result in a ten percent increase in fuel consumption, he said.
Checking Tyre Pressure Will Ultimately Save Petrol
Millions of dollars worth of fuel was lost each year due to vehicles being driven with insufficient tyre pressure, Mr Cranefield said. If they wanted to save on petrol, drivers needed to get into the habit of checking tyre pressure regularly, just as they would put in fuel, he said.
"Tyres should be checked every couple of weeks but as long as the wheels keep going around a lot of people don't worry about it - or they leave it until they get a flat tyre," Mr Cranefield said.
On its website, the Motor Trade Association (MTA) also identified routine car maintenance as the biggest factor in saving petrol and sustaining a fuel efficient vehicle. The MTA said drivers could expect to claw back ten to twenty percent of fuel costs if they kept engine services in check.
The MTA had the following additional advice to help motorists save on petrol.
MTA Fuel Economy Tips:
- Loads should be kept to a minimum. The heavier the vehicle, the more fuel it uses. A loaded roof rack could decrease a car's fuel efficiency by five percent.
- Efficient driving- with smooth acceleration, cornering and braking- will not only save petrol but extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tyres.
- Air conditioning used power from the engine and additional fuel so should only be used when essential.
- An engine should never be left to idle unnecessarily. The idea that a vehicle engine needed to "warm up" is a myth. An engine actually warmed up faster when driving.
- Scheduled routine car maintenance and vehicle services should be kept in check . Any unusual sounds, smells, or noises should be looked at sooner rather than later.
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