Whether you just got your first car or you want to start saving money by taking care of your vehicle's maintenance yourself, this website is for you. Every article here is written to help everyday people understand the basics of vehicle ownership. As you read through our site, we hope you feel empowered to take simple repair projects into your own hands. For larger projects, we recommend following up with our professional resources so you can take the best possible care of your vehicle. With a little bit of time and support, you can get to know your vehicle and take excellent care of it.
Getting to Know Your Vehicle
3 Factors to Consider When Buying a New Fuel-Efficient Car
Sofia Curtis
Over the years, car engine technologies have improved when it comes to fuel consumption. With a tonne of car makes and models in the Australian market, how do you find the most fuel-efficient car and get the best bang for your buck? This article highlights some tips for shopping smart when in the market for a new fuel-efficient car for everyday use.
Smaller Is Better — The general rule of thumb when shopping for a fuel-efficient vehicle is to buy a small vehicle. A small car consumes less fuel while emitting less carbon dioxide compared to a big car. As long as you are looking for a vehicle that addresses your basic everyday needs, you can save money in both the short term and the long term by opting for a small car. Furthermore, the purchase price of small cars is usually lower compared to their fuel-guzzling counterparts. In this sense, you save money not only in the showroom but also at the fueling station.
Consider Hybrids and Electric Vehicles — The current trend towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by vehicles is pushing new customers towards the electric vehicle market. Hybrid vehicles that combine both fuel and electric configurations can also help car owners save cash at the pump. Electric vehicles can be charged and thus reduce overreliance on fuel. For example, an electric vehicle can give you an average of 200 miles per charge. However, you might have to deal with the fact that public charging stations may be limited in certain regions, especially rural areas. Nonetheless, installing a household charging outlet can remedy the problem.
Avoid Unnecessary Features — While it is important to consider features that make a car functional and convenient, you may want to eliminate extra features that increase fuel consumption. Such features draw extra power from the engine while adding weight. Also, some components increase a car's aerodynamic drag, which affects the fuel economy of the vehicle. For instance, buy a car with air conditioning that has an "economy" mode to reduce fuel consumption. Moreover, opt for fuel-efficient features such as tinted windows, which reduce the need for constant air conditioning. It is estimated that air conditioning can increase fuel usage by up to 20% when driving in a city.
Another feature to look out for is power seats that can add up to 60 kilograms to a vehicle weighing 1,200 kilograms. Furthermore, buying a vehicle with cruise control can help maintain speed on highways. Without a cruise control system, your vehicle will consume more fuel due to unintended accelerations and slowdowns.
Reach out to automotive dealers near you to check out new cars that are available.
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