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| Using the Overdrive: |
Mr. J Subramanian
Vice President -
Shreenath Hyundai
says - The new generation cars have very smooth operation. As the
engine noise is much lower, most drivers keep driving their cars at
high speeds (60 kmph & above) in lower gears before shifting to
4th and 5th over drive gears. This reduces the cars efficiency by
upto 20%. Using the over drive gears correctly can improve the efficiency
by upto 20%. Thus the efficiency suffers by a huge difference of 40%
between bad driving and correct gear usage.
Recommended Driving
speeds are:
1st gear: upto 10 kmph
2nd gear: 10-30 kmph
3rd gear: 30-40 kmph
4th gear: 40-50 kmph
5th gear: 50-55 kmph
Maximise the use of overdrive in 4th & 5th gear. Moderate speed
of 50 to 55 kmph in the 5th gear delivers good results.
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| Squeezing More Miles |
 While the number of automobiles keeps increasing everyday, the resource
that drives these vehicles - 'Petroleum', is depleting fast. Every
car owner cribs about the increase in the cost of fuel, but not many
understand that squeezing the maximum out of every single drop
of fuel can help save an real big amount for themselves and for the Nation.
Some very basic car care tips and proper driving habits that can
help you save fuel -
Keep the car well tuned
Periodically servicing the car, and using the recommended fuel and
lubricating oils helps to keep the engine in good shape. A well-tuned
engine helps reduce fuel consumption by upto 6%.
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure
Always maintain correct air pressure in the tyres. Tyres with less
air increase resistance and tyres with excess air tend to skid, as
they lose road grip. Correct air pressure not only makes your drive
more comfortable, it also helps save by increasing fuel efficiency.
Keeping the air cleaner clean
Your car's air cleaner gets clogged with dust over a period of time.
This clogging causes - increased intake resistance for air, thus reducing
the power output and increasing the fuel consumption.
Shed unnecessary weight
When your car carries extra load, it consumes that much more fuel.
Many cars lug around possessions of their owners, which are not used
frequently. Old magazines, newspapers, books, bottles, cans, shoes,
car covers, spares & parts replaced while servicing your car, even
your child's bicycle can end up in your boot space - increasing your
cars weight.
Luggage carriers mounted on top of the car add weight and cause a
drag while the car is moving. You can remove this carrier when not
being used. Shedding load can help save considerable amount of fuel.
Avoiding 'fast start' takeoff
"VHHRrooom-scrreeech!" starts are not only dangerous for other vehicles
and pedestrian, they also burn your tyres and unnecessarily use up
excess fuel.
Avoid excessive idling
Turn off your engine when you stop the car for more than three minutes.
Never park your car with the engine left running. Idling your car
for one hour can consume about 1 litre of fuel.
However you should switch off the engine only when you know that the
car will be waiting for some time, since turning the engine on and
off frequently, also works adversely.
Excessive idling can also damage the catalytic converter.
Anticipate stops
Stop-go driving causes maximum wastage of fuel. Although this is unavoidable
while driving on the city streets, you can atleast stop pumping on
the accelerator when you know that you have to stop a little further
away at the traffic signal light. You can save a lot of fuel by anticipating
the need to stop.
Use the correct gear
Most car owners complain about poor fuel average without even knowing
the optimum speed for different gears. The cars manual can give you
the correct information. You can drive your car in the top gear even
at speeds as low as 45 - 55 Km/h. Driving in wrong gear burns upto
20% excess fuel.
Cruise at a constant speed
While driving on lesser trafficked roads, you get maximum fuel efficiency
while cruising at 50 - 60 km/h. Driving faster increases the
air drag and you burn more fuel. At higher speeds you can burn as
much as 30% excess fuel over your cars optimum speed.
Use the clutch judiciously
Using the clutch excessively wears the clutch pad and increases fuel
consumption.
Keep the choke knob pressed down
Driving the car with the choke knob in pulled position can cause damage
to the catalytic converter.
Use the AC sparingly
Air-conditioners and heating systems increase your fuel consumption
by 15 - 20%.
Reversing
Reversing your car immediately after starting (i.e when the engine
is cold) consumes more fuel. It is sensible to park your car in such
manner, that you do not require reversing after starting your car.
Pool your car
Share your car with friends and colleagues while travelling to
work and getting back. Sharing of cars while commuting to work has hazaar advantages:
- Save money by sharing the cost
- Reduce peak hour traffic
- Help the nation conserve fuel
Other advantages of pooling cars:
- You can swipe your friend's lunchbox and eat it for breakfast.
Later you can smartly wipe off your hands over the towel seat
covers.
- You can borrow all the newspapers from your co-passengers and
suggest that they take a nap.
- You can travel in a car much bigger and more comfortable than
your own.
- You can ask your co-passengers to help you complete office work
that you carried home.
- While getting back home, show your co-passengers the trendiest
new restaurant after having conveniently forgotten your wallet
in your office drawer.
- You can always borrow your co-passenger's cellular to make an
urgent call.
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