Car manufacturers never lie, right? Apparently not!
According to new research by consumer group ‘Which ?’, a variety of popular car models actually guzzle more gas than their makers claim, and it’s us motorists who are paying for it!
As part of their investigation, they ran a test on 200 car models to see which would stand up to their claims. Astonishingly, they found that 197 (that’s 98%) of these fell below the official miles per gallon figures touted by their manufacturers – shocking stuff!
On average, the models tested fell 13% short of their official fuel economy rate. This would result in motorists spending £133 more on fuel over the course of a year – which is no small sum in the grand scheme of things!
Fuel efficiency is often an important consideration for those looking to purchase a new car, which makes these findings all the more significant.
On the basis of this discovery, Which? are calling for changes to the way the official fuel efficiency test is conducted.
There’s no denying fuel efficiency tests are starting to look a little outdated. In fact, these haven’t been changed since 1997, and have not been updated to take into account recent advances in motoring such as the rise of hybrid technologies.
Which? believe that the current test contains a number of loop holes manufacturers can take advantage of to boost the apparent fuel economy of their vehicles. For example, the tests are carried out with all the car’s lights and air conditioning switched off, to increase efficiency.
As disconcerting as these findings are, luckily there are a number of things you can do to increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and save yourself a bit of cash in the process.
Want to know more? Then you’re in luck, as we’ve put together a handy guide to fuel efficient driving – you’re welcome!
Go Easy
A smooth drive is a more eco-friendly drive. Aggressive accelerating and breaking not only makes for an unpleasant driving experience, it’s a waste of fuel too! So make sure to accelerate and decelerate as smoothly as possible.
Maintenance
Getting your car serviced regularly is also essential to ensuring its engine keeps working as efficiently as possible.
Don’t forget about your tyres either! Underinflated tyres use more fuel, so keep an eye on your tyre pressure.
Read the Road!
When driving, it’s always good practice to look out for anything that might cause you to slow down, or stop.
By anticipating traffic conditions, not only will this help you to stay safe, it will enable you to save fuel too. By slowing down early, you may not have to come to a complete stop.
Streamline
The more weight your car has to cart around, the more fuel it will use. So try not to carry round any unnecessary weight in your vehicle.
It’s all too easy to throw stuff in your boot and forget about it. But if you don’t need it, make sure to leave it at home – your bank balance will thank you!
Stick to the Speed Limit!
Want to stay on the right side of the law and save on fuel? Then always stick to the speed limit. Driving faster may shave a few seconds off your journey time, but it’s also false economy. As the faster you drive the greater the fuel consumption!
So there we have it; a few neat tips and tricks that are perfect for helping you save fuel.
As 4×4 experts, here at CWS 4×4 we provide a wide range of 4×4 parts to help keep your car running at its best. So whether it’s a 4×4 gearbox or even an engine you’re looking for, we’re here to help.
Think you require our services? Then simply contact us today by giving us a call on 01458 834930 and a member of our knowledgeable team will be happy to help you with your enquiries.