Win a Free Fuel Card for Christmas!
December 13th 2008 05:34
We use our supermarket dockets and line up for hours whenever there are cheap petrol days to save a few cents per litre at the petrol pump, but there is a much better way to save on fuel, says the NRMA: Drive smoothly.
A study by the motoring body has found that good driving habits such as efficient gear changing and steady acceleration can cut fuel consumption by 35% because less energy is required from the engine. This can equate to significant savings per year for the average motorist.
“It’s simply the physics of accelerating and decelerating an object” said the NRMA’s motoring research manager, Jack Hayley. “When you drive aggressively it requires more energy and that means more fuel, the faster your engine has to turn over and the more friction is created.”
According to the study, the best ways to cut fuel consumption while driving are to “flow” change by revving the engine gently with the clutch out before shifting into a lower gear, and taking off roof racks and bullbars if they are not required. Drivers can save “5 per cent by taking off the bullbar, 2 per cent if you have the tyre pressure right and up to 24 per cent by taking luggage out of the car if you’re not using it”, Mr Hayley said.
The news comes as Australian motorists finally see the benefits of the plunge in the price of oil, with the national average falling.
Opinion is divided over whether oil companies have been guilty of price gouging and what the price should be. We have all seen how the prices seem to rise close to public holidays and weekends but analysts from Commsec are adamant that oil companies are not ripping off motorists. Petrol prices have slumped while the Aussie dollar has fallen effectively robbing motorists of some serious savings.
I’ve always been of the opinion that they definitely take advantage of the peak motoring periods which puts a huge dent in the wallets of families over holiday periods so to help just a little I’m going to give away a fuel card to help a bit over Christmas.
Win a free $25 Caltex petrol card
How? By leaving your best money saving tip in the comments. This isn’t a first in best dressed competition, it will be judged on the best tip so get your thinking caps on.
I’m sorry this competition is only available to my Australian readers but there will be an international prize coming up soon.
If you are not a member of Orble, leave your name in the comment and send an email to budgetcentsability@gmail.com so I know how to contact you. Your information will not be shared with any third party. Please NO SPAM!
The competition is open until Wednesday 17 December at midnight Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Good Luck!
Information sourced from SMH
A study by the motoring body has found that good driving habits such as efficient gear changing and steady acceleration can cut fuel consumption by 35% because less energy is required from the engine. This can equate to significant savings per year for the average motorist.
“It’s simply the physics of accelerating and decelerating an object” said the NRMA’s motoring research manager, Jack Hayley. “When you drive aggressively it requires more energy and that means more fuel, the faster your engine has to turn over and the more friction is created.”
According to the study, the best ways to cut fuel consumption while driving are to “flow” change by revving the engine gently with the clutch out before shifting into a lower gear, and taking off roof racks and bullbars if they are not required. Drivers can save “5 per cent by taking off the bullbar, 2 per cent if you have the tyre pressure right and up to 24 per cent by taking luggage out of the car if you’re not using it”, Mr Hayley said.
The news comes as Australian motorists finally see the benefits of the plunge in the price of oil, with the national average falling.
Opinion is divided over whether oil companies have been guilty of price gouging and what the price should be. We have all seen how the prices seem to rise close to public holidays and weekends but analysts from Commsec are adamant that oil companies are not ripping off motorists. Petrol prices have slumped while the Aussie dollar has fallen effectively robbing motorists of some serious savings.
I’ve always been of the opinion that they definitely take advantage of the peak motoring periods which puts a huge dent in the wallets of families over holiday periods so to help just a little I’m going to give away a fuel card to help a bit over Christmas.
Win a free $25 Caltex petrol card
How? By leaving your best money saving tip in the comments. This isn’t a first in best dressed competition, it will be judged on the best tip so get your thinking caps on.
I’m sorry this competition is only available to my Australian readers but there will be an international prize coming up soon.
If you are not a member of Orble, leave your name in the comment and send an email to budgetcentsability@gmail.com so I know how to contact you. Your information will not be shared with any third party. Please NO SPAM!
The competition is open until Wednesday 17 December at midnight Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Good Luck!
Information sourced from SMH
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Comment by Carolyn Cordon
Light Within
How do You Express Your Creativity?
Food Leaf
Slow down, enjoy the drive and dream about what you'll do with the money you save on fuel, tyres, brakes etc because of your sensible driving.
The faster you drive, the greater the likelihood of not ever arriving!
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
I know I am not eligible for the prize, but I am going to play anyway lol.
First off great idea!
My money saving tip when it comes to gas, well you and Mr. Hayley have mentioned - but i do have another.
Make sure your air filter is clean. It will add some MPG.
Overall maintenance is vital basically. With good maintenance almost anything you can get decent mileage. For example, my brother-in-law drives a well maintained 2007 Ford Mustang - he averages 31MPG. A friend who drives a Ford Focus which is advertised as a high MPG car, and does much less maintenance. They wind up with like 24MPG. although quite a few people I have talked to that got a Focus for that high MPG all say they get no more than 26MPG.
Gene
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Good post CJ.
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
The money saving tips do not have to be about fuel or cars, it can be anything at all!
Carolyn, I'm with you all the way, driving like a maniac to lights and then stopping and taking off like a hoon will not get anyone there any faster and it's guaranteed to waste money on fuel, tyres etc. Great tip. That 10 minutes can make a huge difference.
Hi Gene, hardly anyone ever thinks about their air filter and it makes your car run like crap if it's not maintained. Great tip. Plus there will be a giveaway soon where you can win too. Thanks for your tips, even though you can't win you can help everyone be a winner with sensible advice. Interesting facts about the MPG, I would never have picked a Mustang getting better than a Ford Focus!
Hi Jason, exercise, cleaner air and saving money - a great idea all around. I just wish I wasn't such a klutz on a bike. I'm a danger to myself and others. I'm possibly the only person clumsy enough to fall off a stationary exercise bike!
Comment by Mountain Fog
"Neighbour Share", which involves participating neighbours arranging to share a car to go shopping, thus reducing traffic and pollution, and costs.
As each member takes their turn to drive the other(s), so a car of four, reduces the carbon monoxide gasses by three quarters!
cheers
fog
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
What an interesting idea. I know there is a car share service where you pay a fee per year to share a car but I'd never heard of anyone doing neighbour car sharing. My only questions are, how does this affect insurance? Would you need to list your friends as regular drivers. This has me intrigued.
Comment by Hatchy
Comment by Mountain Fog
I think most insurers allow you to nominate a second driverfor the day, but, as I see it, each person takes turns in driving the others, in their own car, or, f not possible becuase it is too small then you would have to nominate for the insurance cover.
Maybe just a pipe dream, although all those "people movers" and urban tractors (4WDs) should be capable of carrying four neighours and all their shopping.
cheers
fog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
9. Increase Efficiency of Car.
The fuel consumption of your car can be increased by maximising the efficiency of your car in various ways:
Use correct tyre pressure and check regularly.
Many motorists fail to check tyre pressure and end up using more petrol because their car has become more inefficient
Reduce Weight.
Don't carry around unnecessary weight in the boot. More weight will increase fuel consumption especially driving up hills.
Increase aerodynamics.
Keeping an empty roof rack on a car will increase the inefficiency of driving and fuel consumption. Remove it where possible.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Here's my two bobs worth:
Many people are flipping out at the cost of using the motorways which have a toll. My response is always -think of what you save on petrol.
They not only save you money on petrol, though. You avoid all that stopping and starting at traffic lights that must surely cost more on the wear and tear of the car.
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
Fog, I still think your idea has legs. It's a unique concept!
Thanks for the great link Morgan, there are great ideas there.
Hi Janet, I never thought of tollways in that way, it makes perfect sense!
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
Congratulations Fog! Just PM me with your address details and I will express post the card to you.
Comment by Mountain Fog
I WON!! My first prize since having to raffle a two foot high brides doll at my school fete....and ended up buying the remaining tickets...and won...so embarrasing...particularly as it was an all boys school...
cheers Cheryl!!
fog
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
Comment by Mountain Fog
just dropping by to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Lucky New Year!!
cheers
your pal
fog
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability