Everyone loves the easy movement driving a car affords. But cars don’t move on water. They make use of fuel. In other words, your car isn’t usable if there’s no fuel in it. Fuel consumption differs among cars. While some cars consume a lot more, others are quite economical. But even cars with great fuel economy aren’t easy to manage especially in this tight economy. You have to fuel your car, at least, once a week, if you want to drive it.

The smart driver seeks ways to minimize fuel consumption. The lesser fuel your car consumes, the more money you have left to take car of other things. Naijacarnews.com understands this plight. Hence, we have put this piece together to help you with your fuel usage.

10 fuel saving tips for Naija car drivers

1. Keep track of your kilometrage

One of the effective ways to minimize fuel consumption is to keep track of the distance you cover and the quantity of fuel consumed. Moving around without an idea of this could get you stranded far away from a fuel station. It even gets worse if your fuel finishes at a time when you don’t have money to refuel.

Make a mental note of where you are going, and monitor your fuel meter along the way. This way, you can tell how far a certain quantity of fuel can take you, and plan yourself accordingly.

2. Service your car regularly

Regular car servicing is important for car maintenance. Neglecting this will lead to several problems. Your fuel consumption is dependent on the general health of your car. If your car is in good condition, expectedly, everything will work well, using the right amount of fuel. In the event of a problem, your fuel might be running faster than it should.

Apart from your regular visits to the mechanic, you should also carry out the following maintenance yourself:

Use the recommended engine oil. A wrong one could be thicker, making pumping harder.

• Get rid of engine air filters that are dirty.
• Ensure proper wheel alignment and balancing.
• Gauge your tires, and ensure that they aren’t damaged.
• Check chassis and suspension parts regularly to avoid misalignment.

Regular spending on maintenance service avoids you a costly overhaul

3. Use brakes and accelerator with care

Your engine suffers greatly when you accelerate without caution. Going too high forces your fuel to flow out quickly. But when done slowly, fuel usage is reduced due to low pressure.

As a guide, try to reach 80km/h in 15 to 20 seconds. Upon attaining this level, keep at it without braking.

The manner in which you brake also affects your fuel economy. Forceful braking increases fuel outflow. To avoid this, pay attention to the condition of the road ahead. If you have to brake, begin it on time so it’s slow. Move along with gravity, not against it. By braking carefully, you get save fuel and also protect yourself from road accidents.

>>> Pay close attention to fuel pump as well. A bad one will result in great loss of gas mileage: Signs of bad fuel pump - Symptoms, causes and solutions

4. Drive the appropriate car

If you have the privilege of owning multiple cars, this point is specifically for you. Various road conditions have different effects on cars. In this part of the world, people prefer to drive big cars – talk about the SUVs. Apart from the large space they avail, they also give you the “Big Boy” or “Big Girl” image. While there’s nothing wrong with it, you should try to avoid excess spending on fuel. Rather than drive your SUV to work always, you are better off driving a smaller car that has a lesser fuel consumption rate. Doing this saves you some money that can be used for other expenses.

You can even save more money by carpooling to work if you have colleagues who live in your vicinity. By taking turns in each other’s cars to work, both of you get to save a lot of money.

5. Plan your movement

There are many errands to run. Ticking them off using your car means covering long distances. Remember, you are consuming fuel on every journey. Take a moment to plan your movement before setting out. If you have to go to two places that are close to each other, plan to go at once. For example, if you live in Lekki, instead of going all the way to Ikeja on Saturday, and going to Surulere on Sunday, since both places are on the Mainland, why not plan both journeys on the same day?

>>> Travelling tips for common road trips in Nigeria:

• Benin to Abuja by road: Tips to choose the best service for your trip
• Travel tips from Abuja to Enugu by road
• Abuja to Jos by road: short trip but requires careful preparation
• Port Harcourt to Abuja by Road travel tips

6. Avoid traffic

Getting stuck in traffic can be annoying. Apart from it tiring you out, your fuel is also burning. If you happen to live in Lagos, you can’t afford to be in traffic every single time. By now, you should know the rush hours. At those times, the road gets jampacked with cars.

Always plan to drive against traffic. Look at the time before moving. If traffic will be congested, wait a while or figure out a better route.

7. Reduce car load

The heavier your car is, the more fuel it consumes. Not only are you wearing it out by overloading it, you are unknowingly creating room for your fuel to finish quickly. Don’t put items you don’t need in your car.

Your car boot is meant for needed items, not your whole property. Keep it scanty.

You may think this is money-saving but it's not

8. Switch gears early enough

If you are driving a manual car, you could be using more fuel than necessary by over-revving. Changing gears however you want is a big no. Ensure that you effect a change below 2,500 revs.  You’d be surprised at how much fuel you save by simply changing gears early.

>>> More tips to save your fuel budget! 9 useful tips for saving energy

9. Regulate the air-conditioner

Driving in the hot Nigerian weather isn’t easy. You need to have your AC on to be comfortable. But regulate it in line with your car movement. When the AC is high, it takes more fuel. If the weather isn’t very hot, you should consider keeping it low.

10. Stay off rough roads

Your car needs a lot of fuel as it battles with the bad nature of rough roads. Maintaining low gears to keep your car in tact while driving on rough roads also gulps fuel. So, you are better off avoiding those paths.

>>> Check out Naijacarnews.com for more fuel saving tips!