Recommendations on fuel consumption. But are they all effective?

The truth is that most of the time, the problem is between the seat and the steering wheel. Yes sir, the driver

For this reason, together with specialists from the automotive world, we review some recurring beliefs and tips, so be careful and invest less in the expensive liquid.

1.- The size always indicates how consumer the car is

The fact that the vehicle is smaller is not directly related to the fact that it spends more or less gasoline because this will depend on its weight compared to the power needed to move it. There are cars with very efficient engines that allow moving the car with ease and without much effort, allowing a more comfortable driving. On the other hand, some engines do not always fit the car and for being very forced (or when loading the car more than is due) spend more than larger engines.

You also have to think about the purpose for which your car design. A sports car or an all-terrain vehicle will spend more fuel, inevitably. A city car could be very economical in the city, but not much if it demands it on the road or loads it.

“If the trips are made only by the city, a small engine (less than 1,500 ccs) will be the ideal solution, as long as it does not load too much. On the other hand, if you travel a lot by road, the ideal is the largest (from 1,500 ccs), because they tend to go less revolutionized faster. “

2.- The automatic ones spend more than the mechanics

“Automatic gearboxes do not generate high fuel costs compared to a mechanical car,” experts say, “and several brands have developed high-efficiency systems. In general, cars today have processing according to the dynamics of each vehicle. The difference between an automatic versus a mechanical one has decreased to less than 5% thanks to the sequential boxes”.

We will complement it. In the beginning, old cars had automatic gearboxes of very low speeds. Therefore, it was very feasible to fall on long gears with very long sections, where the engine delayed in reaching a more efficient state of performance and consumption. Also, since these were very heavy, the difference was accentuated. Today the automatic boxes are much smarter. They have as many gears as a manual, with driving modes, and in some cases, they are also more compact, which helps to manage the power of the car better, minimizing or reversing the gap with its similar mechanics.

3.- Drive in high gear at low speed

“This practice forces the driver to step on the accelerator to maintain speed. This causes the control unit to order to increase the amount of fuel inside the cylinder, to maintain power. This is why it is necessary to drive within the defined speed range for each gear, which usually ranges between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm in a gasoline engine,” says Anfruns.

4.- Inflate tires more

A tire with less inflation pressure, as recommended by the manufacturer, tends to spend more fuel, since its support surface is larger. It believed that if excess air pressure applied to the wheels, they would turn more easily. Therefore, the car will tend to move with less resistance. While there is some reason, since a very flat tire could cause an increase in fuel consumption, everything will depend again on the load added to the vehicle. It must take into account that this action leads to a change in driving style, especially with slower cornering, since the area of ​​support of the tire tread reduced, which could produce instability in the steering and traction of the vehicle.

In short, put the air indicated by the manufacturer and that you need it. Car brands have done countless tests on their models and, for some reason, recommend a certain pressure range, which you can find in the door frames or the manual.

5.- Avoid the use of air conditioning

Many say that a good measure not to spend too much is to turn off the air conditioning and let air through the windows. “What is unknown is that from 70 km / h, the turbulence that is generated by the air that enters produces a braking effect on the vehicle, increasing the consumption more than if the air conditioning turned on. Therefore, it will always be recommended to use the cooling system above the speed indicated above. When driving in the city (maximum speed 60 km / h), the myth is fulfilled”.

6.- The type of benzine helps to save

Technically, octane is the additive that prevents gasoline from self-inflating ahead of time, so it is necessary that high-performance or high-performance vehicles use high octane. “If you have an average car, such an octane rating is not necessary, and the current gasoline will suffice, even more so if you always travel in the city. But if you are traveling, the extra is recommended. You will notice the savings, taking into account which the manufacturer recommends according to the engine “.