Motorists are worried about the rapid rise in fuel, which means adjustments to monthly expenses. CMH Ford Steyn’s wishes to take you through some tips that could help you save fuel in your vehicle.
Choose a fuel-efficient engine
Ford offers various engine derivatives, each of them offering class-leading fuel consumption, e.g., the Ranger fitted with the 2.0-litre single turbo which has returned a fuel index of 6,8lt/100km, and at CMH Steyn’s Ford we have an excellent sales team who are willing to assist you with all queries regarding the engine size, your trade-in and everything relating to a sale.
Weight is your enemy
Reducing the weight you carry on and in your bakkie will certainly improve its fuel consumption. Fifty kilograms less weight can improve fuel consumption by as much as 2%. If you are not using your roof rack, remove and store it.
Drive sensibly
Aggressive acceleration and braking can be fuel inefficient. Be gentle on the throttle and brakes and engage cruise control over longer distances.
Speed matters
It’s simple: the faster you go, the more fuel you’ll use. Up to around 80km/h, the energy required to overcome wind resistance on a vehicle is minimal. But push beyond that and the drag increases exponentially. Here is a valuable tip: If your vehicle has a real-time fuel economy reading, you can use it to get an idea of how much fuel you are using at different speeds, which will help you find your vehicle’s sweet spot. This could equate to being in top gear at the lowest possible revs.
Talking tyres
Check your tyre pressure regularly and stick to the OEM’s directions. Overinflation will reduce grip and result in more wear. Underinflation will increase rolling resistance, increasing fuel consumption. Aggressive tread patterns may well improve grip off-road, but they will also result in higher fuel consumption. A defective wheel alignment will also increase fuel consumption, so check it every 10 000 kilometres.
Time to tow
Higher speeds will increase wind resistance on both the tow vehicle as well as the towed load. Driving 10-15km/h slower than other traffic will save fuel without necessarily frustrating them.
Service is serious
Nothing beats optimum performance like regular servicing. “Fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 40%,” said Ford. “Similarly, using the wrong engine oil can affect fuel consumption by up to 2%.” At CMH Ford Steyn’s we have top qualified technicians, and our service advisors are well skilled and friendly. Book in your vehicle with us.
Combine your trips
Make a list – plan your trips and/or combine them.Weather tips
Hotter weather will probably dictate that you turn on your air conditioner, which will demand more power and thus more fuel. Using the air conditioner on short trips and in town can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 25%. “Remember, however, that driving with the windows down increases drag, which means your engine has to work harder. The effect is minimal at low speeds, but increases as speed climbs, so use the air con at highway speeds.
Cold weather tips
Starting a cold car and allowing it to idle with the heater switched on will burn unnecessary fuel. Starting and driving will improve the heater’s performance and reduce fuel usage.
These tips will come in handy as we all attempt to save as much as we can. Savings go a long way, and these tips are sure to help.
Your one-stop dealer, CMH Ford Steyn’s is situated at 42 Bosman Street, Pretoria. Visit us today to take advantage of all our special offers.
Alternatively, contact us on 087 724 8470 to speak to our team
Source: https://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2021/07/30/fords-top-tips-to-reduce-fuel-usage/