Posted on October 28, 2009 - by Richard

Know Your Vehicle Fuel Efficiency!

Do you Know your vehicle fuel efficiency? Not everyone buys their vehicles based on the vehicle fuel efficiency rating alone, but most would consider that it is one of the most important option. Again, it is much more than the technical specifications of the engine but the operating cost of the vehicle not to mention the over-all maintenance cost that will decide the vehicle fuel efficiency.

To know your vehicle fuel efficiency means asking the vehicle vendor: “What is the rated vehicle fuel efficiency?” If you do, they usually will pull out the vehicle’s book ratings and explain it to you. Better still, you can actually search it in Google so you can evaluate them at your leisure before making a buying decision. Everyone who drives a vehicle is bound to be concerned about getting a good fuel efficiency but in actual practice, does not do anything after buying the vehicle. People has the usual belief that it is the responsibility of the car makers or the mechanics to keep the car performing at its optimum efficiency. But little do they realize that there is a whole lot that they themselves can do to ensure their car get the best fuel efficiency.

If you drive on a very low gear for example when a higher gear would work just as well, it is natural that the fuel efficiency will decrease. If you follow the proper shifting of the tranny, it will go a long way in keeping the best vehicle fuel efficiency. Another example, you can drive carefully and in accordance with the service manual rated vehicle fuel efficiency but the vehicles manual exists for a reason. And it is to ensure that the gear changes and the driving speeds work in tandem to give your vehicle the maximum fuel efficiency.

Another way to know your vehicle fuel efficiency is to determine the application of air conditioning. The use of air conditioning in your vehicle only when it is absolutely critical. This way, not only can you make your vehicle drive longer on less fuel, but it can also ensures that the battery life is enhanced. There are other simple stuffs to know in your vehicle fuel efficiency. If you drive with your windows open for the purpose of ventilation rather than closing all windows and setting the air conditioning on full blast. It is a matter of saving money and making sense!

Still another overlooked way to know your vehicle fuel efficiency is the usage of vehicle tires. If the vehicle tires are not filled with enough air, the rolling tire friction levels increase dramatically. When this occurs, it takes more power for the engine to move the same distance than say, when the tires are filled to the optimum level and make the vehicle travel along smoother. Although these are clearly mentioned in the service manual, not many people follow it. If these simple instructions are followed, it will surely increase the vehicle fuel efficiency.

Thanks!