As soon as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, removed fuel subsidy and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) increased the cost of fuel from N187 per litre to over N500, many who could not afford it stop the frequent use of their vehicles.
This is evident as the regular traffic on major roads in the metropolis of Lagos and Abuja disappeared.
Meanwhile, our findings revealed that there are various measure car owners can adopt to minimize the consumption of fuel each time they drive.
To minimize fuel or gasoline consumption in a car, you can follow these tips:
- Maintain a steady speed: Avoid rapid acceleration and heavy braking. Smooth and gradual acceleration allows your car to operate more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption.
- Observe speed limits: Driving at higher speeds increases air resistance, which leads to higher fuel consumption. Adhere to speed limits to maintain an optimal balance between fuel efficiency and travel time.
- Avoid excessive idling: Idling consumes fuel unnecessarily. If you anticipate being stationary for more than a minute, it’s better to turn off your engine. This is especially true in traffic jams or when waiting for prolonged periods.
- Keep tires properly inflated: Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency. Regularly check your tire pressure and keep them inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
- Reduce vehicle weight: Remove unnecessary items from your car, especially heavy ones. The lighter your vehicle, the less fuel it needs to move. Avoid using roof racks or cargo carriers unless necessary, as they increase aerodynamic drag.
- Use air conditioning wisely: Running the air conditioning puts extra load on the engine, resulting in increased fuel consumption. When driving at lower speeds or in moderate temperatures, consider using the vehicle’s ventilation system instead.
- Plan and combine trips: Whenever possible, combine multiple short trips into one to minimize cold starts, as the engine is less fuel-efficient during the warm-up phase. Efficient route planning also helps avoid unnecessary mileage and congestion.
- Maintain regular vehicle maintenance: Keeping your car well-maintained improves fuel efficiency. Regularly change the engine oil, air filters, and spark plugs as recommended by the manufacturer. A well-tuned engine operates more efficiently.
- Use the correct fuel octane rating: Use the fuel octane rating recommended by the manufacturer for your car. Higher octane fuel is not necessary unless specified by your vehicle’s manual.
- Consider alternative transportation options: For short trips, consider walking, cycling, or using public transportation. These options eliminate fuel consumption altogether and provide additional health and environmental benefits.
- Pooling resources together: Three or four persons living in the same community or environment can pool resources together to fuel a car that would convey them to and from their offices daily. This method is especially practicable if they work and live in the same axis.
By implementing these tips, you can significantly reduce your car’s fuel consumption and contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective driving experience.
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BY DAYO ADESULU
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