Off topic but Useful

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How to make a litre of petrol go longer


The rising price of oil is one of the biggest stories in the world
today; causing havoc with inflation figures as well as personal
budgets. It's unlikely we will see prices below $100 per barrel soon
and there is even talk of $200 in case of a major instability in the
Middle East.


Inevitably this has led to hikes in fuel prices in India and may lead
to more hikes in the future. So what is the average driver to do? Here
are some simple tips for reducing your fuel costs and helping the
environment in the bargain.


Maintaining your car


The first step is to remove all the junk that has no doubt accumulated
in your car over the years. The heavier your car is, the more fuel it
consumes. Even 50 kg of extra baggage can reduce your fuel economy by
2 per cent.


Maintaining your engine is also important. A bad engine could reduce
your mileage by as much as 20 per cent. Check your spark plugs and
make sure your air filters are clean. Change your engine oil regularly
using the correct grade of oil.


Keeping your tyre pressure at the correct level is important too. If
your air pressure is too low your tyres will generate more resistance
meaning your car engine will have to work harder and use more fuel in
the bargain.

Keeping the right air pressure will also ensure a smoother, safer ride
and prolong the life of your tyres.

Improve your driving habits

Avoid driving too fast; instead stay at a moderate speed even when on
the highway; for example driving at 90 km/h instead of 110 km/h will
reduce fuel consumption by about 25 per cent.

It's also best to maintain a steady speed instead of sudden starts and
stops. When you do need to accelerate do it in a gradual manner. This
is also a safer method of driving and will create less wear and tear
of your car.


Adjust your gears appropriately: driving at a lower gear than
necessary will increase your fuel consumption. You should also avoid
driving with your foot on the clutch since that also consumes fuel.
Use the clutch only when you have to change gear.


When you approach a traffic signal slow down gradually and similarly
when the light turns green you should accelerate gradually. Turning
off your engine at a long traffic stop will also save fuel.

See if you can find ways of reducing the AC; for example it probably
makes sense to switch the AC off when you are about to reach your
destination. However when you are driving at a high speed, for example
on a highway, it's probably better to keep the AC on rather than your
windows open since the latter will seriously reduce your car's
aerodynamic efficiency.


Driving less


While this may sound obvious there are a lot of ways you can probably
figure out to reduce the amount of driving you do.


For example it makes sense to combine a series of small trips into one
longer trip to reduce your fuel consumption. Or you might be able to
find a few friends with whom you can take turns driving to the
office.


Finally better trip planning may also help you reduce the length of
your trips. Take help of new technology like Google Maps and GPS
navigation which may prove useful. And don't forget the good old ways
of using public transport or just walking to a nearby destination.


Conclusion


Fuel is getting more expensive and likely to stay that way for a long
time. Fortunately there are a number of simple steps -- like a few
stated above -- to make that one litre of fuel go longer and to make
sure your wallet isn't hurt too much.