But, in the sea of information, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction.
That’s where this blog post comes in.
3 Common Fuel Saving Myths
Myth 1 – Engine idling uses less fuel than stopping and restarting your car.
It makes sense in theory. Surely it takes more effort, and therefore burns more fuel, to stop and restart your vehicle. But this assumption is ultimately false.
On average, allowing your car to idle for more than 10 seconds burns more fuel than is needed to start the engine. So, while idling is unavoidable in some circumstances, switch the engine off next time you are waiting to pick someone up or stuck at a train crossing. Your back pocket will thank you for it.
Myth 2 – Shifting into neutral at stops decreases fuel usage
This myth may have been true according to 80’s auto technology. Now, however, modern vehicles use fuel-injector systems, which sense when you ease off the accelerator and shut down. This means that when you stop at a red light, fuel is no longer pumped into the engine – regardless of whether you are still in gear.
Rather than saving cash on fuel, shifting in and out of neutral at stops will only cost you money down the track by wearing your shift components.
Myth 3 – A clogged air filter causes poor fuel economy
Don’t get us wrong – a dirty air filter is not ideal for car health. And yes, cleaning out your air filter will increase your engine’s overall performance. However, it ultimately doesn’t make that much difference to your fuel economy itself.
Why? It boils down to the fuel injector again. Whereas old school car engine technology meant that the air filter was essential for ensuring the right amount of oxygen was combined with fuel to get your engine running, fuel injectors now sense the oxygen to fuel ratio – regardless of how clean the filter is.
A clean air filter means good vehicle performance, but doesn’t directly influence your fuel economy.
Optimal fuel efficiency is all about tyre pressure.
If your tyres are deflated, they will have increased contact with the bitumen, creating more friction between your tyres and the road. As a result, your car will need to work harder and burn more fuel.
This principle also means that over-inflated tyres will increase your fuel efficiency even further, but at the cost of control and performance.
The best way to ensure that you toe the line between efficiency and safety is to refer to your manufacturer guidelines and adhere to the recommended levels.
Pro-tip: The recommended levels represent the cold tyre inflation pressure. To mirror this, always check and adjust your tyre pressure in the morning.
