The 30-second Warm Up
- 1. What counts is not the lower premium you pay to buy car insurance - how much you bear in a claim is more important.
- 2. Remember to renew your car insurance in time – it is very important.
- 3. Quality repair with genuine spares saves more money than savings through lower premium.
- 4. Your car cannot swim – do not drive through deep waters. Your insurance policy does not cover engine damages in such cases.
Avoid Fast Starts
- 1. Jerky acceleration or fast starts can increase fuel consumption by approximately one kilometer per litre in city driving.
- 2. Accelerate briskly but smoothly upto 50 kph, then moderately up to 65kph. At this speed, keep a steady pressure on the accelerator – just enough to maintain speed.
Drive at Moderate Speeds
- 1. Imagine that there’s an egg that you don’t want to crush under your right foot; this will result in even better fuel savings.
- 2. A self-imposed 80kph speed limit will save fuel.
- 3. Driving below the indicated speed limit on highways will produce even greater fuel savings
Avoid Low Gears, Get Up To Speed Quickly
- 1. Keep your car's speed over the 35kph mark whenever possible.
- 2. Skip a gear (go from 1st to 3rd or 4th) if you are on a flat road or slope.
- 3. Run through all gears quickly and gently if going uphill.
- 4. With automatic transmission, get the car rolling, then ease up on the accelerator to let the gearbox shift to the highest possible gear ratio at that speed.
Hill-Climbing Techniques
Driving in hilly terrain consumes more fuel than driving on roads with no change of elevation. The following tips will help increase fuel economy in the hills:
- 1. Build up speed before approaching a hill to avoid fuel-wasting hard acceleration while going up the slope.
- 2. The momentum developed will carry the vehicle over the crest, and gravity will help the vehicle go down the other side. Do not, however, turn your engine off or leave it in neutral while going downhill, this can be dangerous.
Keep Tyre Pressure Up
Underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption significantly. Please refer to Driver Energy Tips No. 2 "Wheel Alignment and Tyre Maintenance" for more information.
