Energy Saving Tactics for Motorists

For many people, the amount of money they spend on motor fuel is their highest expenditure on energy, exceeding even the amount spent on the energy used in running their homes. It is possible to reduce motor fuel bills by a considerable amount by taking some fairly simple measures.

Making sure that the car is regularly serviced is one way to cut down on motor fuel costs. Car manufacturers always specify service guidelines, and it is sensible to acquaint yourself with these and abide by them. A car engine that is tuned accurately burns less fuel then one that is not. Over time, carbon deposits can build up on spark plugs, another factor that increases fuel burn. Apart from saving money on fuel, having your car serviced regularly increases its resale value.Check your tyre pressures frequently. Your owner's handbook will tell you what the optimum tyre pressures are for different conditions. Ensuring your tyre pressures are correct saves on fuel consumption, and also improves safety by reducing the risk of a blowout.Try to avoid heavy traffic. The kind of stop and start driving you have to do in heavy traffic really pushes fuel consumption through the roof. If you cannot avoid driving in peak times, listen to local traffic radio so that you can avoid the most congested routes.Look for opportunities to take your foot off the accelerator pedal. This does not mean you should coast, which is both illegal and dangerous. What it does mean is that when you are approaching a junction where you know you are going to have to stop, you should not be accelerating as you approach. It also means removing your foot from the pedal while you are stopped at traffic lights or level crossings.Avoid unnecessary trips in the car. Look for opportunities to combine trips. For example, you may be able to combine school runs with shopping trips.Keep all the car windows closed when driving at speed. Having the windows open increases drag on the car, which in turn burns more fuel. However, if you are driving in slow-moving traffic in warm weather, it is better to keep the windows open than to use the air conditioning.Join a car pool. If you drive to work everyday, you will probably know fellow workers who make the same trip. Substantial savings can be made by pooling. Your employer may already have a pooling scheme in operation. If not, consider starting one yourself. If you work for a small company with few employees, you may find other interested parties by advertising in a local paper.Switch the engine off at every opportunity, if it is convenient to do so. If you are stopped at traffic lights, for example, and there are several cars in front of you, switch off. You will have plenty of time to restart before you need to move. If you are collecting somebody, don't leave the engine running while you wait.Avoid carrying excess weight. You can reduce weight by taking things out of the car that you will not be using on the trip. You can also reduce weight by not carrying more fuel than you need to.

Fuel costs have gone up sharply in recent years, and the upward trend is likely to continue. As the price of fuel increases, the monetary value of savings you make by using it more efficiently also increases. The cumulative savings made by following the advice outlined above can be quite high.

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Laura Ginn has published 144 articles. Article submitted on September 08, 2013. Word count: 575

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