Ten Tips for Better Motoring

Money Saving Motoring - Ten Tips to drive costs down!

With recession looming, we in the MidlandMotors.ie Team wondered how we could help our users even more? We were already offering a FREE service to sell your car online, but what we thought are we doing for all the users of our site that are buying their new or used car online with us? Well this is for you and for all car users out there - ten tips to reduce your automotive costs, or as we like to call it - Ten Tips to drive your Costs Down! Trust us by applying these tips to your everyday driving habits, you will save money! So happy motoring and we hope these tips help!

1. Regularly Check your Tyre Pressure

Believe it or not, this is probably one of the most overlooked reasons as to why your car is achieving poor miles per gallon (we know we should be using km per litre - but we think people who like cars [like us], don't!). Amazingly and I bet you didn't know this, tyres lose pressure due to both age and chilly temperatures. Your tyre can lose up to 1 psi per month just through natural seepage, over a year that's a substantial loss and another 1 psi for every 10 degree drop in temperature! With Ireland's climate imitating the Sub Artic recently, there is potential for significant loses in tyre pressure over the Winter months. Under inflated tyres will cause what is referred to as rolling resistance - this is the resistance that your car experiences as it tries to rotate the wheels. Obviously the more rolling resistance, the more fuel that is required to be burned to overcome it. Check your cars tyre pressure regularly, there's really no excuse as most Forecourts offer this service for free. Just one important thing to remember - always check your tyres when they are cold! Driving heats up your tyres and along with them the air inside, this will in turn cause that air to expand and will give you a false reading for your cars tyre pressure! If you're not sure of the correct pressure to inflate your cars tyres to, try checking on the door sill or under the lock mechanism on the drivers door - most modern cars will have a small metal plate located here which gives recommended pressures depending on the amount of people usually travelling in the vehicle.

2. Take Your Golf Clubs Out of the Boot!

This one is pretty obvious when you think about it but I have to admit that even I am guilty of this one! The more weight that your car has to lug around with it, the more fuel it'll need to burn to get to where it going! If you play Golf on a Sunday, why are you carrying around your clubs every other day of the week as well?! Empty the boot of all unnecessary junk and reduce the total overall weight of your car. You might scoff that the contents of your boot weigh nothing in comparison to the overall weight of your car but trust us - if you can shave as little as 20KG from the total weight, you will notice savings and better fuel economy! On a related safety note, items left on the rear parcel shelf of your car can become lethal missiles in the event of an accident or sudden braking. So now you've two reasons to de-clutter that car!

3. Slow Down and Keep the Revs Down!

This is probably the simplest way to improve your cars fuel economy. Driving at a reasonable speed as been proven time and time again to be the best way to get better miles per gallon from your car. We're not talking about crawling along at 20 kph, the best speeds to travel at for better fuel economy are somewhere between 40 and 60 mph, any faster and your fuel economy drops off drastically. Coincidentally, any slower and it also drops off but that is not an excuse to race through your town centre at 60 mph! Try to keep your revs down without lugging the engine i.e. change gear appropriately at between 2500 and 3500 revs and not when the rev counter is reaching the red! Look down the road to see what the traffic is doing, there is little point in revving up to speed to meet a traffic jam further ahead, that is a considerable waste of fuel. If you do want to accelerate at any point change down, not only will this help your cars fuel economy but it also sounds better!

4. Become a Naturist!

No not the nudie type! If you're driving slowly and its a nice day, roll down the windows and turn off the air conditioning! Let that breeze in and feel the savings. Air conditioning can contribute to greater fuel consumption when driving at low speeds. Conversely, at high speeds it is better to roll up the windows and turn the air conditioning on. In the case of higher speeds having the windows open can affect the aerodynamics of your car introducing drag which will have to be overcome by - you guessed it, burning more fuel!

5. Check your Air Filter

Occasionally (twice a year) check your air filter. Remove it and hold it up to a light. If you can't see light coming through it then it is probably dirty and needs to be replaced. A dirty air filter will restrict the flow of air into your engine which in turn will affect both fuel economy and performance. If you're replacing your air filter why not ask your local garage if they could install a permanent one instead of a paper one. They may be more expensive initially but are cheaper in the long term and are better for the environment.

6. If you have it use it!

If you're one of the lucky few who happen to have cruise control on your car - use it! When out on the dual carriageway or motorway, cruise control helps by allowing your car to maintain a consistent speed. You could argue that you can do this with your foot and if you've a steady enough foot then technically you are your vehicles cruise control! But it harps back to what we've already said, maintaining a consistent speed and the elimination of needless acceleration and deceleration will improve fuel economy.

7. Avoid Excessive Idling

Idling is when you leave your engine running even though you're not moving. It's not very practical to turn your engine off when you've stopped at traffic lights or are in slow moving/stopped traffic but if you've ever found yourself sitting in the car waiting to collect the kids from school or your husband/wife from work - turn off your engine, it'll save you money!

8. Use the Correct Engine Oil

When changing the oil in your car always be sure that you are using the correct grade oil. The best way to do this is to bring your car down to the local garage for a professional service but for those of your really intent on making savings and changing your own oil, be sure to follow the car manufacturers guidelines. Engine oil comes in a variety of grades such as 10W-30 or 5W-30 + more, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your miles per gallon by 1-2 percent!

9. Take off the Roof Rack

We know you think it looks cool and has the neighbours believing that you're planning a skiing trip to Aspen but roof racks can drastically reduce the aerodynamics of your car and affect fuel economy. If its not in use, take it off. If it is in use but whatever is on it can go in the boot instead, take it off and put the stuff in the boot. And the most important reason to take it off - it doesn't look cool!

10. Use Higher Efficiency Fuels

Using newer fuels can not only save you money on fuel costs but many are now also designed to clean your engine as the fuel is burned! Topaz (the company which has purchased both SHELL and STATOIL in Ireland) have launched a new clean petrol and clean diesel product that can increase engine efficiency by up to 3% or approximately 400 miles a year! What's more they're a completely Irish company so all the better!

11. Emmmmmm.....

We didn't want to write this so we've sneaked it in at number 11 and that is - Don't Drive! We hate to say it and we all love to drive but sometimes leaving the car at home can be the more sensible option. Not only that - its healthier, better on your pocket and better for the environment. For those trips to the neighbourhood shop or just round the corner, dust off the BMX or why not just walk! Sorry!