10 petrol saving tips
I got this from an email and have modified it to a Malaysian setting.Petrol bills hurt.I cannot do without petrol and I can literally count the sen which adds up to ringgit as I drive.Sometimes a journey to and from a shopping trip can cost me a few ringgit.When times are difficult,it is best to learn how to economize:spend less on luxuries and cut down expenses.
Here are ten tricks to help you get your money’s worth.
1. Fill up your car or truck in the morning when the temperature is still cool.Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground; and the colder the ground,the denser the gasoline.When it gets warmer gasoline expands,so if you’re filling up in the afternoon or in the evening,what should be a liter is not exactly a liter.In the petroleum business,the specific gravity and temperature of the fuel is significant.A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal.
2. If a tanker truck is filling the station’s tank at the time you want to buy gas,do not fill up; most likely dirt and sludge in the tank is being stirred up when gas is being delivered,and you might be transferring that dirt from the bottom of their tank into your car’s tank.
3. Fill up when your gas tank is half-full (or half-empty),because the more gas you have in your tank the less air there is and gasoline evaporates rapidly,especially when it’s warm.(Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating ‘roof’ membrane to act as a barrier between the gas and the atmosphere, thereby minimizing evaporation.)
4. When you’re filling up do not squeeze you should be pumping at the slow setting,thereby minimizing vapors created while you are pumping. Hoses at the pump are corrugated;the corrugations act as a return path for vapor recovery from gas that already has been metered.If you are pumping at the high setting,the agitated gasoline contains more vapor which is being sucked back into the underground tank,so you’re getting less gas for your money.
5. If you are thinking of buying a car,consider buying a manual car.It is more economical when compared to an auto.
6. The bigger a car, the heavier it is therefore it consumes more fuel. A kancil or any other small car of course consumes less petrol. However an underpowered car will consume a lot of fuel.If you are buying a Kancil for example get a bigger cc one.On the other hand a bigger cc car consumes more fuel so you have to consider the load meaning how many people are in the car. If you are single and you usually drive alone, a lower cc variant may be good for you.Remove unnecessary clutter from the car to lessen the weight.
6. Avoid playing with the accelerator and brakes.Keep a respectable distance from the car in front of you. traveling at an even speed is very economical.
7. If the car is idle for more than two minutes,consider switching off the engine.The higher the setting of the air-con, the more fuel it will consume.Consider lowering the windows then conditions permit and turn off the air-con.
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8. Also check the tyre pressure fort nightly.You will be surprised how an under-pressured tyre raises the consumption of fuel.
9. Lessen travel by car with careful planning of trip and routes to be taken.Avoid routes which wil involve busy roads when possible.
10.Send your car for periodic servicing.A car in tip-top condition consumes less fuel.
Hope this will help ease your ‘pain at the pump’ 
Posted in on November 29th, 2007 by nini | |
