Small Tricks to Maximize Car Fuel Savings: How to Survive in the Era of High Gas Prices!

• We already know many fuel-saving techniques, but how often do we actually practice them?
• Turning off the air conditioner while driving for just half an hour really helps reduce fuel consumption significantly.
• The old belief that you must warm up your engine before driving is no longer recommended in this era of soaring fuel prices.  

Isn't it the same for you now? When you pull into a gas station, your heart races wondering how much the bill will be. With gasoline prices (Gasohol E20 and above) having surpassed 30 baht per liter, we’ve looked for ways to save fuel. Even if it only extends the time between fill-ups by a day or two, over a year, it could save you thousands of baht.

Discarding the belief of warming up your engine before leaving home.

Our parents taught us to warm the engine after the first start of the day before driving. But did you know idling for just 2 minutes can consume about 40 milliliters of fuel? So, when you need to go, simply start the engine and drive slowly for about 1 kilometer, then gradually increase the throttle.

Turning off the air conditioner really helps.

Imagine in the morning, when you drive out from your neighborhood or alley, don't turn on the air conditioner immediately. Roll down the windows to absorb the outside air for about half an hour. Believe it or not, this can save 10-15% fuel.

Drive slowly—it's safer and more fuel-efficient.

Each car has different fuel consumption rates at various speeds, but roughly, driving at 60-80 kilometers per hour is the most fuel-efficient, potentially saving up to 25% fuel.

Neutral gear: my friend.

When stuck in traffic, city drivers often debate whether automatic cars should remain in drive (D) with the brake pressed or shift to neutral (N) at red lights. From both a safety and fuel economy perspective, shifting to neutral is best. It can reduce fuel consumption by up to 40% compared to staying in drive with the brake held.

Hard braking is not good.

Every time we brake suddenly, we lose the acceleration we had, and pressing the accelerator again to speed up causes the engine to consume more fuel. So, when you see traffic ahead, gradually slow down and brake gently until the car stops. If you need the car to move slowly in traffic, just release the brake to let the car roll without pressing the accelerator. Also, avoid sudden acceleration; try to keep engine speed below 2,000 to 2,500 RPM.

Take care of and rotate your tires regularly.

Remember to check tire pressure weekly when the tires are cold (car parked for at least 3 hours). Inflate tires to the recommended pressure in the vehicle manual. Rotating your tires occasionally reduces wear and extends tire life. Believe it or not, tire rotation can improve fuel efficiency by 10%.

Your car isn’t a storage space—remove excess items.

Ladies tend to pack everything into their cars just in case, and men often carry all kinds of sports gear. Honestly, this extra weight forces the engine to work harder, increasing fuel consumption by up to 20% compared to a normally loaded car.

Other tips you probably know: regularly check your car’s condition, oil, filters, and air conditioner refrigerant every month or at least every six months. This not only helps save fuel long-term but also maintains your engine's health early on.

Author: Hardworking Engine