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#2 of 12 Hints to Improved Fuel Economy

December 2, 2009 By 1 Comment

Choose the correct fuel type for your car

#2 Selection of Fuel – Octane Content of Petrol

When you visit most petrol stations and definitely the major petrol stations, you are provided a number of options for petrol with different octane content amounts. For managing fuel economy and fuel cost, and as long as higher levels of octane are not “needed’ by your car selecting the regular fuel would be better for your pocket.

On the other hand, if have a high-compression engine which could be at risk of detonation (pinging), or it is specified for your vehicle such as for some European models and performance cars, higher-octane levels in petrol may be needed.

In high-performance cars with high-compression engines higher-octane petrol will enable the engine management system to work at peak efficiency. Higher-octane petrol decreases the risk of engine pinging or engine detonation and the need for costly car engine problems or an unscheduled car service.

Refer to your car’s owner’s manual and if it says your car can take regular unleaded petrol, then you’ll save your money by sticking to this recommendation. You should check with your cars handbook to verify this.

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Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Helpful Tips

#1 of 12 Hints to Improved Fuel Economy

November 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Acceleration and Speed - Manage your right foot

#1 Acceleration and Speed – Managing Your Right Foot

This may be the simplest and most effective hint for getting better fuel economy. The more rapid you accelerate the more petrol your car will use.

This of course means that your fuel economy will go down. The slower you accelerate the less petrol your car will use.

In relation to speed, even throughout acceleration, wind resistance increases its impact on a vehicle the greater the speed at which the vehicle is travelling. Did you know that cars are much more efficient when driving at around 75 km/hr than they are above 100km/hr or more?

The same vehicle may notice a difference of 15% or greater in fuel economy between travelling at 75 km/hr and 110 km/hr. As the car’s speed increases, air resistance causes friction and this consumes more power output and hence more fuel.

What can be done?

When travelling on freeways, maintain a constant speed and try to brake less if possible.

Moderate your acceleration and deceleration. When approaching red traffic lights or places where you need to stop, don’t race up to them and then suddenly stop. It is better to safely moderate speed on such approaches and improves your fuel economy. If traffic lights change from red to green and traffic ahead moves along, that will help if you are able to move with the traffic without stopping. Accelerating from a stationary position consumes more fuels that from a forward moving position. This technique will improve your fuel economy.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
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Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Helpful Tips

12 Hints on How to Save Money and Improve Fuel Economy

November 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

12 Hints on How to Save Money and Improve Fuel Economy

When the price of petrol and the cost of living are so high who wouldn’t want to save money on fuel costs?

The following hints are provided to assist in improving your fuel economy, our definition being the amount of fuel consumed (measure in litres or cost) for a given distance travelled, so you can drive further for less.

Only a few people measure their average fuel economy (litres of petrol consumed per 100 kms) on a consistent basis. Today, most cars, even basic models, have an onboard computer that provides a readout or display of the car’s petrol consumption per 100 kms. It should be noted it has been observed many times onboard readouts tend to be on the optimistic side, on average varying 5% or more from actual results.

How do you measure your average fuel economy? It’s very simple.

  1. Start with a consistent point of reference – Start with a full tank (always fill your tank until the petrol bowsers pump cuts off as they generally cut off at the same point, filling the car to the same level each time), then reset your trip computer to zero
  2. Next time you fill the car up with petrol (filling the tank until the petrol bowsers pump cut off), take a note of the number of litres you have put in and the trip counter reading
  3. Divide the distance travelled (in kilometres) since the last fill up by 100
    L/100km = Litres / (Kilometres / 100)
  4. Then divide the number of litres used to fill up the car by the number you calculated in #3 above and you have a true figure for L/100km
  5. Reset the trip computer again to zero and log somewhere convenient the L/100km calculation

This process should be repeated at least five (5) times and the average then calculated. This should give an accurate reading to start with and initial figure to compare future results. This process can be performed consistently or periodically such as every 3, 6, 9 or 12 months and compared to a previous result.

Now, to follow are 12 important hints that can assist in improving your fuel economy and save you money.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Helpful Tips

Checking Your Oil Level

October 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Checking Your Oil Level

Checking your oils level is simple and easy and will show you if your engine needs oil. If the oil is too high or too low, it can cause car engine problems.

To check the oil, park on level ground and wait until the engine has cooled down after driving, then locate the dipstick. Pull it out and wipe it clean, then push it all the way back in until the top of it is seated properly in the dip tube again. Wait a moment then pull it out again. Check the level of the oil. If it’s between the high and low marks, you’re fine. The high and low marks can be denoted by two dots, an “H” and “L” or a shaded area on the dipstick. The photos provided below show a Honda dipstick which has the two dots.

Engine Oil Dipstick

Cleaning the Dipstick

Dipstick Oil Level

Why not just read the level first time around?

The first time you pull the dipstick out, it will have oil all over it and it will be difficult to tell where the level is. That’s why you need to wipe it on a rag to get a clean dipstick, then dip it back into the oil to get a good reading.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Car Service, Engine, Helpful Tips

Fuel Economy – Tyre Pressure And Servicing

September 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Correct Tyre Pressure Helps Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy – Tyre Pressure And Servicing

Check your tyre pressures regularly – once a week is ideal. Bad tyre pressures can affect fuel economy very noticeably. It’s easy to do and there is no excuse not to. Air pumps are readily available at all major service stations.

Another way to ensure fuel efficient driving is to have you car serviced regularly to ensure optimal performance.

Also driving smoothly, slow gradual acceleration, changing gear to neutral when not moving such as at lights or when parked will save fuel usage.
Call for our service technicians to come out to service your car at a time that suits you.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Car Service, Helpful Tips

Check Your Belts

September 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Cracked Fan Belt

Check Your Engine Belts

At the front of your engine there will be a series of rubber drive belts that loop around various pulleys, driving everything from the alternator to the air conditioner compressor.

Rubber perishes, more so in extreme conditions like those found in an operating engine bay. Should the belt driving the alternator break, the charging system will then fail to charge the battery and other systems eventually leaving the vehicle without power. Should a timing belt break during operation, serious damage could cause car engine problems.

Get your timing belt and accessory drive belts checked every 40,000 kilometres, preferably replacing it every 60,000 to 100,000 kilometres (as required) or as specified in the manufacturers manual. Our service technicians can check your timing belt and other engine belts during your next car service.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Car Service, Helpful Tips

Coolant Warning Light

July 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Coolant Service Warning Light

Coolant Warning Light

This is normally the coolant level warning light. If this comes on it means that the level of coolant in your radiator is low and needs topping up.

DO NOT OPEN THE RADIATOR CAP WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT!

The coolant system is pressurised and it could easily release pressure and spray you with boiling coolant. Open the radiator cap only when the engine is cold. The cooling system should only be topped up with either a pre-mixed coolant or with distilled water.

DO NOT USE TAP WATER

The mineral deposits in it boil out in the cooling system and calcium gets deposited around the inside of the radiator making it less efficient (which will eventually cause it to fail). It’s always best to use pre-mixed coolant. The coolant mixture behaves as an antifreeze in winter as well as a corrosion-inhibitor to stop your engine rusting from the inside out.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Engine, Warning Lights

Check Your ABS Lines

June 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

ABS System

ABS Anti-lock Brake System

An anti-lock brake (ABS) system is an integral part of the braking system on modern cars. Brake fluid is easily contaminated and is sensitive to moisture.

Dodgy brake fluid can ruin the expensive ABS pump and rot the brake lines from the inside causing car mechanical problems.

Remember that brake fluid attracts moisture, so brake lines should be “bled” or purged at least once every three years, or as specified in your car’s owner manual. Following correct service procedures will help to protect your ABS system from damage or malfuction, such as inadvertantly engaging when your are driving.

If your brakes feel soft, spongy, too hard or you feel it takes too long to stop or longer than it used to, then you should book your car in for a car service to have those brakes looked at.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Brakes, Car Service

Check your Brake Fluid

June 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Brake Master Cylinder

Brake Master Cylinder

Brake Fluid and Maintenance

We don’t need to tell you how important your brakes are!

So you should check your brake fluid every month. To check your brake fluid, locate the brake master cylinder reservoir that will usually look something like the picture here to the right.

Wipe dirt from the master cylinder lid before you open it. An indicator on the reservoir will tell you whether you need to add brake fluid.

If you need fluid, add the type recommended by your car’s maker. You’ll find that recommendation in your car’s owner manual. Brake fluid is specifically designed for the job, so never substitute other fluids, such as transmission or power-steering fluid.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture and contaminates easily, so don’t use brake fluid from a previously opened container as once exposed to air.

If your brakes feel soft, spongy, too hard or you feel it takes too long to stop or longer than it used to, then you should book your car in for a car service to have those brakes looked at.

About the Author
ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Brakes, Car Maintenance, Car Service

#10 of 12 Hints to Improved Fuel Economy

February 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Car Luggage Overload

#10 Weight – Carry What You Need

Weight is critical for fuel economy. Manufacturers consistently work towards reducing the base weight of their vehicles to improve efficiency or performance. You should remove all unnecessary weight from your car. Your car’s performance will be reduced with every extra kilogram above the base weight.

It may seem like it will take some effort, however you will be rewarded in your hip pocket. Some examples of reducing extra weight are, remove any removable seats that you never use from your car or van and keep them in the garage.

Remove unnecessary items around in the car or in the boot. Already covered earlier, remove roof rack, bike racks, ski racks and roof boxes off your car unless needed and being used.

About the Author
ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Helpful Tips
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