Tips For Buying A Quality Used Car

Tips For Buying A Quality Used Car

Tips On How To Reduce Excessive Fuel Usage By Your Car

by Jessie Ruiz

If you can reduce the amount of petrol your car uses, not only will you save money, but you will also help the environment as your car will be emitting less pollution. 

Follow these tips to reduce your petrol usage.

Petrol Cap

A damaged or loose fitting petrol cap allows petrol to evaporate from the tank, and this will increase fuel usage. So it is important that you make sure the cap is in good order and that you close it properly after filling-up. In some cars, a loose or missing cap will cause the check engine light to come on as it will register as a leak in the fuel system. If you notice a smell of petrol fumes around your car, check the petrol cap.

Tyre Pressure

You should carefully regulate tyre pressure as underinflated tyres cause your car to burn more fuel and also cause excessive tread wear. Underinflated tyres flex more than they were designed to do, and this creates more rolling resistance when you drive as more of the tyre surface impacts with the road. Tyres that are under-inflated also cause your steering to feel heavy. Make sure to check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold as the pressure will automatically increase once the tyres heat up through driving. 

Car Servicing

Regular maintenance is also important. A well tuned-up, efficient car will not burn up excessive fuel.

Additionally, routine checks of the exhaust system will recognise faulty oxygen sensors. Oxygen sensors measure how much oxygen is in the exhaust system, and this information is used to adjust the amount of fuel entering the engine during the combustion process to achieve an efficient fuel to air mix. Faulty, inaccurate sensors can lead to excessive fuel being injected into the engine, which you will pay for at the petrol pump. An alert via your dashboard should usually let you know if the oxygen sensors are damaged.

Regularly checking and replacing the air filter will also help you to save money at the petrol pump. The air filter strains bugs, dirt and debris from the air that is fed into the engine. If the filter becomes clogged, it can block the air-flow causing your car to work harder. The result is greater fuel usage. 

Simple actions such as securely closing the petrol cap and routinely checking tyre pressure can help you to save money on petrol. A regular car service is also important to keep your engine running efficiently and at its optimum.


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About Me

Tips For Buying A Quality Used Car

I've always driven used cars, and when I first started driving, I made some costly decisions and bought a couple of cars that just weren't worth the money I spent on them. I knew I needed to learn how to inspect a car's engine and how to spot warning signs when I was buying a used car, so I started reading everything I could find on the topic, including basic car mechanics and maintenance. I started this blog to share what I've learned over the years, and I hope my tips will prevent other new drivers buying used cars that will drain their wallet and sap the enjoyment out of driving. I hope you find my posts informative and useful.

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