One of the most important technical characteristics of a modern car is its economy. The manufacturer almost always, when presenting a car on the market, indicates the level of fuel consumption for this model.
The unit of measurement for fuel consumption is the amount of fuel in liters required to run a 100-kilometer distance. Recently, such data have been calculated in three versions:
- for the urban traffic cycle;
- when driving on the highway (movement in 5th gear at a speed of 90 km / h is taken as a basis;
- in the so-called combined cycle (city-highway).
What determines the level of fuel consumption
One of the main factors that determines the degree of economy of a particular car is the volume and number of cylinders of the engine. The level of fuel consumption is also directly dependent on the mass of the vehicle. A volumetric engine assumes a greater weight of the car and, as a result, a corresponding appetite for fuel.
The presence of a large number of electronic systems on board your car also has a very noticeable effect on the degree of fuel consumption. This is an air conditioner, and a heating system for seats, mirrors and car windows, powerful audio systems and navigation aids. For example, a switched on air conditioning system can increase the fuel consumption reading by several percent.
There is a direct relationship between the growth of the fuel consumption curve and the degree of vehicle utilization. A full passenger compartment and a full trunk will definitely increase fuel consumption.
The subjective factors affecting the level of economy include the manner of driving a car. The extent to which you are restrained and calculating, or, conversely, dynamic and aggressive while driving, can directly affect the degree of fuel consumption on your car. The technical condition of the car also plays a role, which directly depends on the owner and on the level of his responsibility.
How to save fuel
Tangible results in saving gasoline can be achieved with proper daily operation of the car. The recommendations that allow you to reduce fuel consumption (and this has been proven in practice) include the following.
Do not chase after cheap gasoline, it is better to use a slightly more expensive one, but purchased at filling stations of well-known and well-established operators. Monitor the technical condition of the vehicle. For example, a dirty air filter can increase the consumption by an average of 8-10%, and a faulty engine cooling system will raise this figure to 15%.
Make it a rule to ride evenly. Harsh acceleration and deceleration is not the best way to conserve gas. Adhere to the optimal speed mode, upshift in a timely manner. As a rule, when driving on the highway, experts consider the optimal speed to be 90 km / h with the 5th gear engaged (this item applies only to owners of cars with manual transmission).
Open windows, especially when driving at high speeds, can also cause unnecessary gas mileage. A very noticeable effect on the level of efficiency is exerted by the state of the undercarriage (wheel alignment, the condition of the wheel bearings, the level of pressure in the tires, which is best kept close to the maximum recommended values).
Do not chase after fashion when it comes to tuning your car. Excessive exterior elements can compromise aerodynamics, resulting in unnecessary fuel consumption. Do not carry extra load with you. Make it a rule to periodically clean up both the cabin and the trunk of your car.
When planning trips to new unfamiliar places, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the proposed route on the Internet, calculate the route that is optimal in terms of distance. On the road itself, a GPS navigator can become an indispensable assistant.
