How to save fuel: Fuel-saving tips to make every drop count

METRO MANILA, Updated August 2, 2022 – Saving money is more important than ever.

Economic uncertainties and rising living costs mean budgets need to be maximized and savings must be made. You can start by saving fuel, especially with oil prices shooting up.

Fuel-efficient driving practices not only save you a lot of money, but also prevent wear and tear on your vehicle. Here are some techniques you can use:

1. Maintain a steady speed

Constant speed adjustment means the engine has to work harder. Studies show that increasing or decreasing speed every 20 seconds may increase fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.

2. Accelerate gently

The lighter you are on the accelerator, the less fuel the engine needs. Flooring the accelerator increases fuel flow and, as a result, increases consumption.

3. Stay within the speed limit

An engine's Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) is a factor in fuel efficiency. The lower the RPM, the better.

At highway speeds of 80 to 100 km/h, the RPM sits at around 2,300 to 3,000 in top gear for gas-powered cars. Diesel engines, meanwhile, run at a lower 1,800 to 2,300 RPM. Driving your engine at the redline will use more fuel.

4. Anticipate traffic

Keep a comfortable distance from the car ahead of you during traffic. Be observant of other motorists so that you can expect what they will do next.

Doing this means that can keep your speed steady for lower fuel consumption.

5. Avoid idling your vehicle

If you are stopped for more than a minute, you can save fuel if you turn off the engine. Experts observed that every 10 minutes idling means over a cup of fuel gets wasted.

6. Don't run out of gas

If you manage to run out of gas, remember that it takes about four liters of fuel to get your car running again. Never try to run your car when it’s dry because it puts a big stress on the engine.

Modern engines, however, are built to withstand a lot more than simply running dry. When a car is low on fuel, it will draw anything to keep itself going. This includes air and fuel impurities, neither of which is healthy for your engine.

Also, refilling at the 1/4th level is good practice since it prevents the fuel pump from sucking on impurities. A damaged fuel pump is much more expensive than an empty tank.

And when going on a long trip, download apps that allow you to locate gas stations along your route. Topping up on gas is also a good practice.

Aside from all these tips, it helps to get a car that is fuel-efficient to begin with. Automart.PH offers a wide selection of used cars at great prices, ranging from compact cars to pick-up trucks, that can go further on a tank of fuel.

And if you’re looking for the finest used cars, check out Automart.PH Certified Used Vehicles. These are restored until they feel like new again. They also come with a three-day money-back guarantee and, for Gold Certified units, a one-year warranty.

Automart.PH Senior Content Creator VJ Bacungan contributed to this story.