Fuel Feasting: Calculate your car’s fuel diet!

Feels like we need to grab our Nikes and run like Forest Gump, because our cars are on an expensive liquid diet. Eish, quenching our roadsters’ thirst is difficult since fuel prices are super high and blowing our budgets. Is it even possible to use less fuel and to save some cash? Sure, but you’d have to do a bit of math to figure things out. You firstly need to know how much fuel your 4-wheel fellow consumes and what makes its stomach growl.

How to calculate your fuel consumption:

You need to follow these 6 easy steps to make sure that your calculations are accurate:

1. Fill up your tank until the self-trigger mechanism clicks.
2. Zero your trip meter.
3. Drive your normal routes and the way you usually drive your car.
4. Drive around for 400km or until your tank is almost empty.
5. Fill your tank again.
6. Write down your distance travelled, and liters of fuel used.

Now you will be able calculate how much juice your car gulps to stay on the road:

• Simply divide the distance travelled by the liters used and you will get the km/liter
• Convert km/liter to L/100 km – divide 100 by km/liter

Note: The AA recommends doing this test twice and comparing results, bearing in mind traffic flow, weather conditions, and changes in driving behavior influences fuel consumption.

Example of calculation

If you drive a Toyota Fortuner your calculation might look something like this:

400km/40

= 10Km/Litre

Cost 40 Litres x R16,05

 = R642

The Automobile Association (AA) notes the following factors that could affect your car’s fuel consumption:

• Irregular servicing
• Under-inflated tyres
• Air conditioning
• Traffic density
• Air temperature
• Humidity
• The way you drive your car (fast running needs fuel for power)

According to the AA in New-Zealand, it is estimated that 8% more fuel can be used on a return intercity trip when air conditioning is used for most of the journey. This means that your car will sweat fuel out faster. Which obviously means that you must refill your tank more frequently.

Hint: If you want to save on fuel you need to open some windows instead of switching your aircon on. It’s also important to service your car regularly and make sure that your tyres are pumped.

What car doesn’t overindulge in fuel?

Clue:

It’s a hatchback and it’s made by the company which original owner’s name was Henry.  The car’s name means “festival” in Spanish.

Find the answer and more details by clicking on this image: