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- They say turn off your aircon, but are you expected to breathe polluted air?
- Coast in neutral. Until you hit the gas in an emergency and have zero acceleration.
- This additive or gadget will help you save fuel, but where’s the proof?
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
If you think the fuel price can’t go any higher, do I have news for you. With the cost of petrol rising to R21 a litre from March and the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the situation’s unlikely to get better any time soon.
But there is one thing more painful than filling up your tank right now, and that’s listening to some of the fuel-saving advice being dished out by so-called experts on social media. In fact, the crazier the tip, the more people seem to like it.
So, for the sake of my own sanity and your fuel bills, let’s debunk some of these old myths for once and for all and give you some fuel-saving advice that really works.
Read: 4 fuel-saving hybrids under R500 000 you could buy as fuel prices skyrocket
Influencer Myth #1: Turn off the aircon
Okay. What’s the first thing you’re going to do if you turn off the aircon? Yup, you’re going to open the windows, which means a few things. In the city, you’re going to be breathing smog and potentially become a prime target for smash-and-grabbers. The drag caused by your open windows will cost you more fuel than the aircon on the highway too.
Verdict: Modern aircon systems have a minimal impact on your fuel consumption. Rather be safe and comfortable.
Influencer Myth #2: Buy fuel early in the day
The theory is that liquids are denser at lower temperatures, so at cooler morning temperatures, you’ll get more fuel for your money. This is all very interesting, but we forget one fundamental fact here: fuel is stored in underground tanks, so it barely changes in temperature at all. The only benefit of filling up early in the morning is that you’ll miss the queues.
Verdict: Put your fuel in when you need it.
Influencer Myth #3: Put your car in neutral and coast
Let me be blunt. This is horrible advice. For a start, driving a car with the clutch depressed or in neutral doesn’t save you any fuel because the engine is still idling. But the bigger problem is that it’s dangerous as you pick up speed quicker and have less control. Because your wheels aren’t powered, your ability to take a safe line around corners is compromised, and in an emergency, you’ll have to rely on your brakes alone to stop you.
Verdict: Do not freewheel of coast in neutral. Ever.
Influencer Myth #4: Use XYZ additive or fuel-saving gadget
The more fuel prices go through the roof, the more we’re bombarded with adverts claiming incredible fuel savings from a little bottle of secret goop or a device that you attach to your car. As a petrolhead of many years, I can sum up these additives and gizmos in one sentence: they don’t work. And on the off chance that they do, they cost more than the fuel you would have saved. Go figure.
Verdict: Avoid the snake oil.
Read: SEE | 4 new fuel-saving self-shifter vehicles you could buy in SA for less than R300 000
Here are three fuel-saving tips that actually do work:
Reality #1: Lose weight
Out of your car, I mean. Take off roof and bike racks when you’re not using them. And leave the golf clubs at home. Every extra kilogram (and increased drag in the case of items on the car’s exterior like roof racks) adds to your consumption in the long run.
Reality #2: Maintain your vehicle
Getting your car serviced regularly and keeping your tyres properly inflated are easy maintenance tasks – and make a big difference to your fuel consumption.
Reality #3: Drive smoothly
This is the single, undisputed, number one way to save fuel. Better driving habits can save you thousands of rands a year in fuel costs. Here’s my challenge to you: try driving as if you have a cup of coffee on your dashboard. That means no sudden acceleration or sharp braking, driving at steady speeds, and avoiding high speeds on the highway. And you’ll save on tyres and maintenance in the process. Your bank balance will thank you.
The bottom line? There’s no magic trick to saving fuel. The best way to save at the pump is to apply common sense and drive relaxed and calmly. Be safe out there.
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