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Fuel-Efficient Cars: Features and Examples

Fuel efficiency is becoming a global concern. Plus, the cost of fuel is quickly escalating—making it essential for vehicle owners to look for fuel-efficient solutions. That’s why you should always seek to purchase fuel-efficient cars. But how do you purchase the most efficient ones? What are the qualities of fuel-efficient vehicles? Well, if you are looking to purchase an efficient vehicle and you don’t know where to start from, don’t fret. The following are top qualities an efficient vehicle should possess. Use them to land your dream car.

Aerodynamics

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When it comes to fuel efficiency, aerodynamics plays an important role, according to phillongtoyota.com. For instance, consider a pickup. Then compare it with its hybrid counterpart. What do you notice in terms of design? Well, the hybrid is smaller and comes with better shape. The point here is aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is concerned with air—especially when your vehicle is moving. Remember, vehicles mist push the air to move forward.

So, an aerodynamic design vehicle allows air to move easily and optimally, which reduces movement resistance. This means that your car will use less gas to move. Thus, bigger vehicles are less efficient than their smaller counterparts.

The Speed

Car driving speed plays a key role as far as fuel efficiency is concerned. That’s why you should be careful with car speed. Take an example, take a 40-mile per gallon vehicle. Constantly adjusting the speed of this vehicle won’t achieve this efficiency. So, if you love constantly accelerating and decelerating, you might not achieve the optimal fuel efficiency. You will be burning more gas. The best thing to do is to drive your vehicle at a constant speed. Remember, constant speed results in no acceleration. Even more, when there is no acceleration, the chances of burning less gas are high.

Engine Type

Fuel efficiency is highly dependent on the type of your car’s engine. For instance, diesel engines are more efficient than their petro counterparts. According to experts, diesel tends to be more efficient when compared to its gasoline counterpart. It’s also important to note that the power created by the engine determines the car economy. For instance, 4 cylinder based engines tend to be more efficient than their V6/ V8 engine counterparts. In most cases, trucks are designed with V6/ V8 engines. Plus, they are characterized by poor aerodynamics and more weight. This makes them less efficient.

Other Factors

Extra facts that influence car efficiency include:

  • Vehicle size and weight
  • Your vehicle’s axle ratio
  • Low emission cars are more efficient

Car Efficiency 101

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Car efficiency is a common concern, especially during these hard economic times. Owners are looking for solutions that can save them money. Remember, the cost of crude and oil are skyrocketing. That’s why you should either purchase an efficient one or look for strategies for improving your fuel economy. Here are a few tips for making your car fuel-efficient.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure plays a key role when it comes to fuel economy. So, don’t ignore the pressure of your car’s tires. Check them once per month. Remember, under-inflated tires will only end up burning more gas/diesel. This is because they tend to increase the rolling resistance of your vehicle.

The Horse

Ensure that the horse is kept inside at the fuel station until the pump is shut off. Also, it’s important to ensure that these liquids pour off the nozzle. It will play a key role in making your car efficient. Remember, when your car is a full tank, it will use less fuel. On the other hand, if it’s a half tank, it will burn more gasoline or diesel. The bottom line is to ensure that the tank is full.

Cruise Control

If you can, make use of the cruise control. Doing this can save you a lot of gasoline or diesel—up to six percent.

Clean Corroded Battery Cables

Battery cables play a key role when it comes to fuel efficiency. When corroded, they tend to make the alternator work extra hard—which results in more gas usage. However, if you clean them, you will give the alternator an easy job. This will significantly reduce the amount of gas used.

No Idling

Idling is another big cause of fuel wastage. So, never allow your four-wheeler to idle for more than one minute. According to the stats, idling can consume up to half-a-gallon of in a single hour. Plus, idling tends to admit more CO2. It’s also important to note that the modern engine is designed to consume less gas (i.e. in both turning off and restarting) than idling. Plus, what will you do when you are in no-idling zones? Well, the best way to warm your engine is to drive it. So, avoid revving it.

Air Filter

The air filter should be changed regularly—preferably 4 times a year. However, be sure to read the manufacturer’s manual; before changing your air filter. Adhere to the recommendations in the manual—especially if you are driving in dusty conditions. Remember, dust can block the filters and make your vehicle work harder. This can result in more gas or diesel consumption.

Frequent Engine Checkups

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The engine is the most important part of any vehicle. If it’s faulty, it won’t function optimally. So, be sure to take it for checkups on a regular basis. Consider replacing spark plugs and even oxygen sensors. Also, don’t forget to replace air as well as fuel filters if you feel that they are faulty.

Think Ahead

Be vigilant. Think ahead. Also, be sure to drive smoothly. Always, apply light throttle and avoid heavy braking. Doing this not only reduces fuel usage but also minimizes wear and tear. According to research, your driving behavior can play a role in influencing your vehicle’s overall efficiency—roughly up to 30 percent.

Other Tips

Other Tips include:

  • Do away with excess weight
  • Reduce drag
  • Don’t overwork the accelerator
  • Make use of engine stop and start

Top Fuel-Efficient Cars

The following vehicles are considered to be highly efficient:

  • Toyota Prius
  • Honda Insight
  • Honda Civic
  • Toyota Echo
  • Toyota Yaris
  • Honda Fit
  • Nissan Altima
  • Scion

The Bottom-Line

Don’t let the cost of gasoline or diesel scare you from purchasing your dream car. You can buy an efficient four-wheeler truck and drive your car without any financial issues. For instance, the Chevy Colorado’s MPG is excellent, making it a top choice. The above qualities will guide you into purchasing the most efficient vehicle on the market. These are the features your vehicle should possess if you care about its efficiency.