Keep your car performing properly and running cleanly

May 23, 2013 by Alastair Sloane

keep your car performing properly ...

There are a number of things that you can do to maximise your driving time and to help keep your car performing properly and running cleanly.

Look after your car

Avoid cold starts
Cold starts are where the journey that we drive is too short for the car engine to warm up to its optimum temperature, such as a short trip down to the shops and back. Short trips use up more fuel, produce more emissions and cause more ware and tear on you vehicle engine. The recommendation – Try and plan your trips so that you get your errands done in one trip rather than multiple smaller ones.

Look after your car
Maintenance is a key factor to ensuring your car runs efficiently and effectively. A car that is properly tuned with correct pressure tyres will reduce your fuel consumption and in turn save you money.

Filling the car up at the petrol pump
When filling your car with petrol, only fill it to the first click – overfilling can lead to spillage or loss through the overflow pipe when going around corners. Also, make sure you have a properly fitted petrol cap – this will help prevent evaporation of petrol especially in the summer months.

Driving tips for enhancing fuel efficiency

Try and avoid peak traffic were possible
Stop start driving leads to very poor fuel efficiency so avoiding the situations that can cause this can help ensure better fuel efficiency.

Drive in the right gear
Inappropriate low or high gear driving causes over-consumption of fuel. Change into the most appropriate gear as quickly as possible without accelerating any more than necessary.

Keep to the speed limits
Just in case you need another reason to stick to within the speed limits, higher speeds result in higher fuel consumption levels, so at the higher speed levels on the open road – stick to the limits.

Aim for smooth driving
Repetitive braking and stopping wastes fuel so try and keep your travel smooth and constant where possible – this will enhance your fuel efficiency.

Air conditioning
While in summer it may be necessary in some areas, try and use it sparingly as these will run up your fuel usage.

Keep your car light and slim
The heavier your vehicle and the less streamlined it is the more fuel it will use. When possible remove heavy items from your vehicle and remove unused external items such as roof racks.

For more tips on making your car more energy efficient, visit the Ministry for the Environment.

Change your oil
Regularly change your oil to look after your engine and increase safety.

Supplied by MTA

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