How to drive properly to save gas. Several ways to save fuel on your car

According to statistics, in Russian Federation, every second family has a car, but unfortunately. Many of the families cannot afford to spend money from the family budget uncontrollably. For this reason, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with a few rules for saving fuel on a car. It is this topic that we will consider in detail in our article and designate several good advice. Using which, each married couple will find in their wallet the saved cash on personal expenses or necessary.

Air filter condition

Most car owners can’t even think that a well-used air filter, may affect the consumption of gasoline or diesel fuel. Also, engine power may decrease, and acceleration dynamics may suffer. These are the consequences of a decrease in the throughput of the filter, and consequently a decrease in oxygen in fuel mixture, which leads to incorrect proportions and to compensate for the lack of air, electronic system increases the fuel supply.

Therefore, it is worth regularly monitoring the cleanliness of the filter, and it is very easy to check it yourself, just look at any bright lamp through it. If the light does not pass through the filter element, then it should be replaced. It is worth noting that simply knocking out, tapping or blowing the filter will not return it to its original state.

car oil

Experienced car owners are familiar with the fact that oil can affect fuel consumption, albeit slightly, but a penny saves a ruble. The fact is that automobile oil has different specifications, including viscosity. The higher the viscosity, the stronger the oil film, but the energy costs for circulation increase. lubricating fluid in the engine, and the friction force in the cylinders increases.

That's why. The lower the viscosity, the higher the fuel economy. But it is worth choosing responsibly automotive oil(more details can be found in our article -). Remember, you need to take into account various factors, including the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Tire pressure

Almost every driver knows that reduced tire pressure affects the stability of the car when driving at speed, and also reduces the dynamics. This is due to an increase in resistance and an increase necessary costs energy to move the car. Which negatively affects fuel consumption.

Therefore, regularly check the tire pressure, and do not allow deviations above 0.3 atmospheres.

Speed ​​mode

This advice relevant when traveling on intercity routes. It has long been experimentally found that the most economical speed mode- it's driving around 90 km/h and also very safe. At this speed, almost every car (you can choose the speed empirically for your car) moves under the most optimal conditions for the operation of the power unit. This helps to save a lot on fuel.

The nature of the ride

If you want to save on gasoline or diesel fuel, then you should forget about the aggressive driving style. The smoother the acceleration and braking, the less fuel is consumed. And a constant sharp increase in speed and a constant stop at a red traffic light will not contribute to savings.

Also, the car consumes an increased amount of fuel when driving in a traffic jam, a lot of fuel is spent on Idling, as well as frequent starting from a standing position, increase fuel consumption by several orders of magnitude.

Optional equipment

In this matter, the main opponent of economical driving is air conditioning, which can take on a significant part of the power of the power unit. This will result in an increase in consumption of up to 20%. Also, fuel consumption slightly increases with additional load on the generator.

Additional tuning

We will not discuss engine modifications, chip tuning or other chassis upgrades here. For an ordinary man in the street, it is enough to abandon the "fashionable" body kit that can increase aerodynamic drag. And also, it is worth abandoning tires and disks of a wider profile, the larger the plane of contact of the wheels with the road, the more energy is required for movement.

Machine weight

This parameter can greatly affect the difference in fuel consumption, especially noticeable on small cars so try not to carry extra cargo with you.

And when buying a car, pay attention to its weight, the lighter the car - the easier it is to disperse, and therefore, less fuel is required.

Octane number of gasoline

Don't overpay for expensive fuel, which differs only in the number of additives (sometimes, gasoline is found at gas stations under the brands "Sport", "Super", "premium", etc.). Also, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the recommendations of the automaker, maybe you are wasting money on more expensive fuel.

open windows

Not many people thought about it, but open windows create additional aerodynamic drag. At the same time, fuel consumption increases by up to 20%, as when using an air conditioner. That's why. In hot weather, when driving on a suburban section of the road, it makes no sense to choose between an open window and air conditioning.

Transmission

According to its specifics, an automatic transmission requires an increased amount of gasoline, by about 10-15%. This is due to the settings of the transmission itself, which is primarily designed for ride comfort, and savings go to the next plan. Using mechanical box gears, the driver independently controls the engine operation mode, and is able to achieve greater economy from his car.

It should be noted that driving neutral gear Freewheeling is not conducive to economy and safety. When driving the car from the hill, it is necessary to turn on a lower gear and release the gas pedal, while throttle valve closes, and the fuel supply is stopped or reduced to minimum volumes.

Gas equipment

This is a radical way to save money on refueling your car. But the most efficient. Savings can be about 40% of the budget for refueling. But it’s worth calculating everything in detail, no matter how tempting it looks, you need to take into account the cost of equipment and the cost of installation work, as well as registration.

This method suitable for drivers gaining high regular mileage. When operating a car for trips of a total of about 20 km in the city, this is not practical. Equipment installation and maintenance costs. They will pay for themselves in a few years, while the cost of the car will not increase when sold on the secondary market.

Carpool roadmap

This scheme proposes to share the cost of fuel among all passengers in the car. This is fair to the car owner and beneficial to passengers, especially on long trips. You can use special portals to find fellow travelers or negotiate with friends. Also, you can bring colleagues to work according to this scheme. With the right calculation, the driver can eliminate costs Money for regular travel. But there will be depreciation costs for the car.

Engine insulation

This method will help you save winter period. The better the engine compartment is insulated from cold air, the faster it warms up and the slower it cools down. Consequently, the need for additional consumption of gasoline to warm up the engine is reduced.

Prestart heating

Warming engine compartment helps to save money, but it is worth mentioning the special autonomous systems preheating. Able to warm up the engine and interior of the car without starting the engine. At the same time, fuel consumption for warming up decreases, and the engine life lasts longer, because the start of the power unit at severe frosts- significantly loads the power unit and reduces its service life.

It should be noted that these systems are presented on the market of automotive accessories in a wide range. Also, mention can be made of the possibility remote control warming up the engine and interior of the car, using the control panel, timer or smartphone. That increases the comfort of driving a car in the winter.

Keep track of fuel prices

To save money on your trips, it's helpful to keep an eye on prices at different gas stations. It often happens that the price may differ by an order of magnitude, but it is worth considering the quality of the fuel. Subsequent repairs to the vehicle may outweigh the savings. But having several proven gas stations from different companies, you can periodically save a certain amount, especially if you get into the habit of filling a full tank.

Using discounts and bonuses

Do not neglect promotional discounts or bonus loyalty programs. This allows you to save up to 5% of money at the gas station. For example, by issuing a special card of a gas station of a certain company, with each gas station, and possibly a purchase in a company store, bonuses will be credited to your card. Each bonus is equal to a certain amount of money, and with the accumulation of a certain amount of promotional bonuses. You can spend them on refueling your own car without spending real money.

Payment by bank card

Some filling stations actively cooperate with banks, providing discounts when paying with cards of certain banks. This will help to further save money and solve the problem of getting change in small coins or banknotes.

Also, you can open a credit card with a small limit, just in case, but you should make sure that there is a grace period on credit funds that allows you to return the money within up to three months without payment bank interest. In this case, you will always have a "stash" for refueling the car.

Refueling at night

Some gas stations may offer promotional conditions for refueling a car at night. The discount can reach up to 5 percent for any type of fuel. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at all the promotions offered at your favorite gas stations.

Conclusion

By controlling yourself while driving, you can save a significant amount of money on refueling your car with gasoline or diesel fuel. But it is worth remembering that the main savings will be in the absence of travel. And do not laugh, as one person said: "If there was a road, I would drive to the toilet and drive." For example, many go to the store for urgent purchases, such as bread, located just a three-minute walk from home. You should not become a hostage of your car - it serves us for comfort, and we do not serve it.

At the base of the engine internal combustion each car is the law of the transition of thermal energy into mechanical energy. That is, thermal energy, like any other, cannot arise from nowhere. This means that for driving in fuel tank it is necessary to fill in gasoline or diesel fuel regularly. Usually, when choosing a car, savings come second. What driver does not like a comfortable and fast ride, especially if you save gasoline. Gasoline economy is considered one of the most important characteristics absolutely any car. The presented characteristic is just as important as another characteristic that is no less relevant today - environmental friendliness.

Injector - fuel injection

Cars that are produced today are much more powerful and economical compared to those cars that were produced about 20 or even 30 years ago. But, despite this, the developers do not want to stop and continue to work on improving cars, trying to make them even more economical and environmentally friendly. Many car enthusiasts at least once thought about this question: How can you save gasoline, and is it possible to save gasoline at all ?. In this article, we will tell you several ways that will save the gasoline consumed by the car.

What is the need to save gasoline on the injector?

Analysts say that today almost every family or every fourth Russian has his own own car. For most families, the cost of a car is almost the largest expense in the family budget. In Russia, the rise in gasoline prices only increases every year, and then it becomes necessary to learn how to save gasoline. Absolutely for every car enthusiast, saving on gasoline is in the first place, and they are constantly in search of new more effective ways saving gasoline.

Gasoline consumption is the amount of gasoline that is burned as part of the heat-air mixture during engine operation. An absolutely obvious fact is that gasoline does not appear out of nowhere and does not disappear without a trace, but burns out in the internal combustion engine.

Exceptional cases are those cases when gasoline or diesel fuel is underfilled at gas stations, the second is drained at parking lots or when fuel leaks from the fuel system.

It is clear that the number fuel-air mixture, which is necessary for the engine for its operation, is directly proportional to the volume of the engine itself. That is, the larger the engine, the more gasoline will be needed. Many modern cars are equipped on-board computers, quite accurately calculating and showing the cost of gasoline.

The fuel-air mixture is not close to stoichiometric in all operating modes of the engine. There are exceptions: the mixture is combined during engine braking. During a sharp increase in speed, the mixture is briefly enriched. Such enrichment is clearly visible on the carburetor by the operation of the accelerating pump. The enrichment process also takes place during engine operation under load. The engine warms up with a rich mixture, as well as increased speed. The gasoline injection system or carburetor is responsible for creating the optimal fuel-air mixture for all engine operating modes.

In the injector, the control and preparation of the composition of the mixture is carried out electronic unit management. Modern cars equipped with sufficiently perfect and reliable system engine control, and this ensures optimal fuel consumption in all modes with minimal toxicity exhaust gases and great power.

Naturally, you can refuse to use the car for some time or even sell it, but this is not the best option, since public transport does not always go strictly according to the schedule and this will lead to certain inconveniences of movement. It's up to you to decide, but one way or another, you should try to learn how to save. Consequently, the question arises: How to save the consumption of gasoline by a car, and is it really possible to save it?

A few simple basic ways to save gasoline on an injection engine

An injection engine is much more economical than a carburetor, but the problem of increased fuel costs in such engines also exists. Although the main secret is quite simple, it is necessary to fill the tank with only the gasoline that the manufacturer recommends and do not try to regulate it yourself. fuel system car. Savings can also be achieved through timely replacement all filters. These include those that are located in the catalyst.

In most cases, due to a breakdown of the catalyst, fuel costs for motorists increase. In order to check this, it is necessary to carry out an exhaust frequency test. Another reason for the increase in fuel costs may be the breakdown of electronic controls.

Major breakdowns of electronic controls

Sensors. In case of incorrect functioning of the sensors, proper mixture formation is disturbed, the engine overheats, and also becomes inefficient control different regimes car power. To reduce fuel consumption, it is necessary to clean the injector in the engine itself.

What sensors break most often?

• Throttle position sensor;
• Incoming air sensor;
• Intake manifold temperature sensor;
• Inlet air flow rate sensor;
• oxygen sensor.
• Dirty injectors;
• Malfunctions of the engine management system;
• Bad gasoline;
• Faulty spark plugs.

Catalyst. The following factors can lead to catalytic converter failure:

• Air filter. If the air filter is clogged, the electronics will analyze incorrect data from the sensor, and this can lead to incorrect load calculations and increased fuel costs.

How to reduce fuel consumption in winter time of the year?

Usually in the winter season, fuel costs increase several times. The basic rule in this case is the complete technical serviceability of the entire vehicle, including the engine, transmission and brake system. Therefore, it is very important to have time to fix all the malfunctions of the car before the onset of winter. Use a special more viscous oil for the winter season. Viscous synthetic oil would be ideal. Regularly check the tire pressure, as failure to comply with the rules for its use can lead to an increase in fuel consumption. During short stops, do not stop the engine.

Not really

“What Russian doesn’t like to drive fast,” they would echo the famous Russian writer N.V. Gogol modern motorists. WITH Russian roads speed driving- a sure opportunity to cripple not only the car, but also yourself.

What is the compromise between the need for speed and common sense?

It is very important to remember that not every speed saves fuel. Experts recommend moving the car at a speed not exceeding 2/3 of the maximum possible. Overclocking high gear with a further transition to the coast is economical in the countryside on a good track.

In the city, where there are constant traffic jams and stoppages at traffic lights, it is useless. In addition, constant acceleration / deceleration will lead to high costs.

Soft start of the engine and a gradual increase in speed reduce the need for braking. Every time you depress the brake pedal, the rolling momentum of the car becomes useless and harmful to the brake pads.

As with anything else, moderation is key here. Very slow traffic in the city will interfere with the general flow and, of course, annoy other motorists.

The automotive market gave a worthy assessment to the novelty - stylish and very powerful car Renault Laguna. Motorists immediately drew attention to the sporty appearance of the Roadster. True connoisseurs instantly noted its excellent aerodynamics.

In the light of ever-rising fuel prices, the desire to save it is of great importance. Many things affect its consumption, and the speed in this case occupies the last place. That is why car owners are often interested in what speed of movement will save "fuel"?

Economy driving

It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer to such a question, since the design of the cars is different. They have different aerodynamics, power units and checkpoint. Consequently, the speed at which you can save is different.

It is known that the faster a car accelerates, the more fuel it needs. Its consumption increases with increasing crankshaft speed. So, savings are achieved only at low speeds.

When starting off, do not put pressure on the gas, the car should accelerate and pick up speed smoothly. Reaching desired speed, it should be kept constant. Turnovers crankshaft gasoline engine should not exceed 2000-2500 rpm. Fuel consumption in a particular case becomes minimal. Concerning diesel engine, then here the limits are lower - 1500-2000 rpm.

If there's something to be said about economic speed, then it is achieved when the crankshaft rotates 2000-3000 rpm. For modern vehicles, the value varies within 90-110 km / h.

With an increase in dynamics, fuel consumption increases for the following 2 reasons:

1. speed increases;

2. the resistance of the oncoming air flow increases.

Since old cars have poor aerodynamics, their economical speed is 80-90 km/h. If the car costs four step box gears, then its most optimal speed for economy is 75 km / h.

How else can you save fuel?

economical movement involves following certain rules. Savings can be achieved calm without sudden acceleration by driving and braking. On a country road, of course, this can be achieved, but in the city, due to a series of constant starts / stops, this will not work.

Drivers should remember: too much fuel and time in the city "take away" traffic jams.

Even, it seems, the shortest path, clogged with cars and with many traffic lights, “eats” more fuel than a long, but free and straight road.

There are a lot of opportunities to save "fuel" in the gas tank.

You can save, for example, gasoline by keeping on the track behind other vehicles at a distance of 20-25 m. The point here is that the rarefaction zone emanating from the car in front reduces the resistance of the oncoming air flow. This is clearly noticeable on vehicles with poor aerodynamics. Since the topic of aerodynamic drag has been touched upon, it must be remembered that motorists themselves often become the culprits for its deterioration, laying on the roofs of their cars oversized cargo. Any trunk with a streamlined shape increases the “zhor” of the engine by 20%. The heavier the cargo placed on the roof of the car, the greater will be the consumption of gasoline.

Another possibility to reduce aerodynamics is to open car windows in the direction of travel.

Much depends on the quality of the fuel. Fuel Bad quality increases consumption. Some car owners, wanting to save money, refuel their " iron horses» low fuel octane rating. They replace AI-95 with AI-92. In reality, such a replacement does not bring benefits. The engine will use up such fuel faster, and modern motors having a high degree compression, high octane fuel is required. Otherwise, detonation may occur, and the engine may fail.

Therefore, the cost of repairing / replacing the motor will reduce such savings to zero. We must not forget about technical condition vehicles. A serviceable car of gasoline "eats" much less.

According to analysts, today every second family or every fourth Russian has a car. For many families, spending on a car is one of the biggest major articles spending in the family budget.

Therefore, every person who has a car is simply obliged to know how to save gasoline. Next, we will give you simple and quite feasible tips - if you follow them, you will soon notice that you have become much less likely to stop at a gas station.

If you want to save gas, you should first check the air filter. A dirty filter allows much less air into the engine, which negatively affects fuel consumption. Checking and replacing the filter is very simple: lift it up to the light, if the light does not pass, then the filter needs to be replaced.

Oil selection

Those who want to save fuel should take note: fuel consumption may depend on the selected engine oil. The car engine runs on a mixture of air and gasoline. This mixture, burning, causes the engine pistons and other engine parts to move. When the parts move, there is resistance. The stronger the resistance, the more energy is required, and therefore spent large quantity fuel.

Engine oil is essential to keep all moving parts of the engine lubricated. But motor oil is different viscosity. The lower the viscosity of the oil, the easier the movement of parts and less energy is spent, that is, less fuel is consumed. And vice versa.

However, when choosing engine oil, you need to be guided by other parameters. For example, the choice of oil depends on the season, the age of the car, the terms of the warranty, etc.

Tire pressure

A beginner needs to know that tire pressure greatly affects fuel consumption. Therefore, before each departure, while the tires are still cold, the pressure must be checked. It will not be a crime if the tire pressure is higher than the norm by 0.3 bar. Of course, this will increase the pressure on the suspension parts and on the body - but this will not affect the ride quality in any way and in most cases passengers will simply not notice this.

Driving speed

If you need to save gas, try to drive slowly, do not exceed established by the rules speed. The faster the car goes, the more revolutions the engine makes. And for more revolutions, he needs to spend more energy.

driving style

Another tip for those who set out to save gasoline is to use the gas pedal “thoughtfully”. Avoid sudden starts and stops, because this will supply too much fuel to the engine cylinders. At low speeds, try not to shift into higher gears. Conversely, do not let the tachometer needle go over 2500-3000 rpm if it is possible to switch to overdrive.

You can also add here - try to avoid “traffic jams” on the roads, as well as drive less during “rush hours”. After all, it is at this time that drivers often have to start and slow down a lot.

I would also like to recommend another great advice which will help you master an economical driving style. For example, when approaching a traffic light, try to brake early so that the car does not come to a complete stop before the traffic light turns green.

The point is that in order to move stationary car more energy is required than when it moves, albeit at a low speed.

Optional equipment

Another opponent of saving gasoline is the air conditioner running inside your car. Thanks to him, gasoline consumption will increase from 5 to 20%. You may object: but it's hot and dirty! Yes, but you can reach the gas station when you have very little gasoline left. Also, add everything else here optional equipment, be it a car radio, foglights, a stove, etc. Each additionally included equipment affects the consumption of gasoline.

tuning

If you want to save gasoline, then give up, at least for a while, tuning. Wide rims create greater aerodynamic resistance, and therefore affect fuel consumption in the direction of its increase.

Type of gasoline

It may sound paradoxical, but saving gasoline will help ... riding old car. The fact is that it is not a pity to fill old cars with cheaper gasoline, for example, AI92. While most new cars are more demanding on the quality of gasoline and should be refueled with fuel with a higher octane rating.

Vehicle weight

In order to reduce fuel costs, it is also worth considering the weight of the car. If you are only planning to buy a car, then look at the smaller, and therefore more light car. The smaller the mass of the car, the less energy is needed to accelerate it.

If you already have a car and soon if you do not plan to change it, then take care not to store unnecessary things in the wheelbarrow. Clean up the trunk, leave everything superfluous in the garage or in the country.

Type of gearbox

Also, when choosing economy car push off the gearbox. automatic box gears consume 10-15% more fuel than mechanics.

Engine size and horsepower

It will not be superfluous to pay attention to the engine size and the number Horse power. The higher this number, the more “gluttonous” the car will be.

open windows

At fast driving try not to open windows air currents entering the car exert additional resistance, as a result of which the engine needs additional energy to maintain speed, which is supplied in the form of fuel.

Installation of gas equipment

There is another radical means of reducing fuel costs - this is the installation gas equipment(HBO). I myself did this back in 2007 by installing HBO. Gas is consumed a little faster than gasoline, but at the same time it is almost 2 times cheaper. Therefore, our significantly reduced costs after this operation.

Of course, there are also disadvantages, for example, the trunk has become much smaller, since half of it is now occupied by a cylinder into which gas is filled. I will also add that, according to the sensations, the car, after several exploitation on gas, has become somewhat “dumberer”. That is, there is no more fast acceleration that was before, the speed is gaining significantly harder.

For those who are accustomed to a calm and measured driving in the city, this will not be a minus. But if you are planning long trips, then keep in mind that when overtaking long trucks on the highway, slow acceleration can cost lives.

A few years ago I was traveling in Russia in my car and felt uncomfortable on the track.

Skip gas on long trips

Another tip that will definitely help you in your savings is the so-called carpool scheme. It consists in sharing a car for long trips with neighbors, friends and relatives. This will significantly reduce your gas costs.

Also, this way of saving is useful for those who bring their colleagues to work. I remember that at one of my previous jobs I had several colleagues who lived in a nearby town, located 30 kilometers from the place of work. So, they got to work in the car of one of the workers. Accordingly, all together chipped in for gasoline.

Keep your engine warm in winter

The faster the car warms up, the less gasoline it spends. Usually, motorists insulate the engines of their “iron” horses with darnit, felt, blankets, etc.

It is not always safe and effective. They have now been replaced by special car blankets, which contain special fire-resistant materials that help keep warm for a long time.

Thanks to these blankets, the engine cools down longer, which is useful in cases where you have not arrived for a long time somewhere, for example, to the store for shopping.

Use heating

In the winter season, car owners have to warm up their engines more often. If the car for a long time idle in the cold, then it is then more difficult to start it. Yes, and this is bad for the condition of the engine.

The more often we start and warm up the car, the more fuel we use. To solve this problem, you can use special heating. There are many various models. Some of them are powered by electricity, but there are also advanced ones. autonomous heaters.

Follow the prices

Every person is a set of habits. Many people get used to refueling at the same gas stations, which is not always beneficial for their personal finances. Periodically monitor prices at other gas stations and choose the one where the best combination quality and price.

Refuel with bonuses

At many gas stations today, various marketing chips are being actively introduced, among which are bonus programs. Usually, when refueling for some large amount, the car owner is issued a bonus card.

From all subsequent gas stations, bonuses are credited to this card, depending on the amount spent. At different gas stations, the amount of bonuses may be different, but to make it clear, I will give an example:

You refuel for 30 liters of gasoline, paying for it, say, 900 rubles (at the rate of 30 rubles per 1 liter of gasoline). On the bonus card you are credited with 30 points, which are essentially equal to 30 rubles.

In other words, when you accumulate 900 bonuses on the card, you can exchange them for 30 liters of gasoline.

Another variation of this program is when you are credited to a bonus card with a certain percentage of the amount spent. But there are certain limitations. If you refuel a month for no more than 5,000 rubles, then you will be offered a card with a 2% return. That is. you pay 1000 rubles, and 20 rubles are returned to you on such a card. Accumulate the right amount on a bonus card and then pay with bonuses.

If you spend more than 5000 rubles per month (again on different gas stations monetary limits may be different), then you will be given a card with a 5% return. Refueled for 1000 rubles - received 50 rubles on a bonus card.

Such a program ties you to a specific gas station, but why not if you are satisfied with the quality of gasoline, service and price.

Pay for refueling with a plastic card of Visa or Mastercard systems

This method may not work everywhere and not for everyone, but I must tell you about it. Its essence is this. I have opened in Alfa-bank. It has a plastic card attached to it. This is not a credit card, but a regular plastic Visa card, which I need more in order to use online banking. I wrote more about the Alfa-click service and how it saves me time and money.

So, in my city there is a network of gas stations, which has some kind of agreement with Alfa-Bank. The positive thing for me, as a client of Alfa-Bank and as a car enthusiast, is that when I pay at this gas station with Alfa-Bank cards, I get a 5% discount, no matter what time I refuel and for what amount.

Don't take this as advertising, I'm sure other banks have similar agreements. Call your bank and ask about such discounts. Or, at every gas station where you refuel - ask about such discounts and bonuses.

I also want to note that I have 2 Alfa-Bank cards. One is ordinary plastic, and the second is credit with a grace period for lending (100 days). When I run out of money, I usually fill up with a credit card, where I have a 100-day benefit. In this case, I sort of borrow from the bank, but I don’t have to pay interest, and I buy gasoline at a discount.

Pay for refueling with a credit card that allows you to make a refund

In the previous paragraph, I touched on the topic of a credit card. At this point, I will continue it, but on the example of another bank. I also have a credit card with a grace period from Home Credit Bank.

One of the advantages of this card is that 3% is returned to my card from every purchase. As you understand, this is a way to save on gasoline. Maybe not a lot, but still. On this card, the grace period is less than in Alfa-Bank, only 51 days. I use the card even if I have cash in my pocket. I buy everything I need, fill up, and when it's time to pay off the debt, I pay it with the cash that was in my wallet.

Now many banks offer credit cards with a grace period, which return a certain percentage of the purchases you make on this card. Return rates may vary.

Refuel at night

This method also does not work at all gas stations. In paragraph 19, I described a way to save gas using a card. In the same place, I wrote about a network of gas stations in our city, which has an agreement with a bank. So, these gas stations also have such a promotion: if you come to refuel after 11 pm and before 7 am, you get a 5% discount.

In paragraph 19, I described that they give a 5% discount when paying with an Alfa-Bank card. In this case, too, 5%, but for me this option is not convenient. I rarely go anywhere after 11pm. But if I didn’t have an Alfa-Bank card, then it’s quite possible that I would have gone to this gas station in the evening to get a discount.

In the end, we will give you advice that will seem silly to you. Most The best way fuel economy is not to drive at all. The less you drive, the less you spend. Very often you can watch how people go to the nearest bakery by car, although the distance to the store is 200 meters. It will be much more economical and healthier to cover this distance on foot.

Video for dessert: The best car jokes of this year

Let's make a reservation right away that this article will not talk about some magical methods or inventions that will help reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent or more. However, if you follow all the recommendations described below at the same time, then you will certainly notice the savings, as they say, "obvious". So, how to save gasoline in winter?

1. Check your car tire pressure regularly. Cold air reduces tire pressure; lower pressure, in turn, increases rolling resistance, especially in snow and slush. To improve gas economy, maintain tire air pressure at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. It is known that in the case of a wheel radius of 15 inches, the loss of each 0.2 atmosphere of air in one of the tires is approximately equal to an increase in fuel consumption by 1%. Also, under-inflated tires worsen the car's rolling performance. Just don't go to extremes by over-inflating your tires - over-inflated tires can cause you to lose traction on wet surfaces when cornering. Remember that four tires are the link between the car and the road. Therefore, it is in your own interest and that of your passengers to ensure that your tires are in excellent condition and pressure is normal. When adding air to tires in winter, it is very important to first blow some air out of each wheel valve, as well as the air hose that is inflating. This will prevent the accumulation of moisture in the tire valve, which can freeze, thereby expanding the valve and simply bursting it. Also, carry your own tire pressure gauge with you at all times for the most accurate and frequent tire pressure readings.
2. In order to effectively save gasoline in winter, check just before starting winter season wheel alignment angles. Incorrect wheel alignment increases tire wear and reduces vehicle stability in winter. Moreover, it requires more work engine that can increase overall fuel consumption by up to 2.5 percent.

   
   

3. Avoid working on idling in cases where the engine block is not lower than recommended by the manufacturer operating temperature. Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting a car engine. At idle, the engine uses a minimum of 0.2 liters of gasoline every 30 minutes of idling and up to 0.7 liters for 8-cylinder engines. However, many motorists mistakenly believe that idling for a long time is good for the car as additional heating its knots in winter. However, for most vehicles, driving can be more effective at warming up the engine than idling - of course, driving should be extremely gentle. After starting the car a day Russian winter, usually between 40 seconds and 5 minutes is enough to warm up the computer-controlled injection engines. But older cars will take a little longer, but no more than a few minutes.
4. Get rid of significant excess weight in your vehicle, as their weight slows down the vehicle, making it less energy efficient. For every 1% increase in car weight, gasoline consumption in the city increases by 0.5% and on the highway by 0.1%. Also, if a roof rack is only needed in the summer, remove it when not in use. Thanks to aerodynamic drag, such a trunk, depending on the design, can increase fuel consumption by 5-10%. In addition, wintering in warm garage saves the trunk itself from temperature extremes.
   Remove any buildup of snow from the air intake at the top of the hood. If you leave it there, the air intake will cause fogging on the windows. Obviously, "overweight" does not include winter item sets for emergencies. All parts that you would use in the event of a breakdown in the winter should remain in the car. In addition, these kits should be tested for ease of use and durability at the start of the season (prior to any emergency).
5. Refuel your car early in the morning. This will also save on gasoline in the winter. The thing is that when the temperature is colder outside, the density of gasoline or diesel fuel is greater, and it takes up less space in your gas tank. During the day, as the atmosphere warms, the fuel expands and becomes less dense. Therefore, if you fill up the tank in the afternoon or evening, the volume of fuel will not be equivalent to the mass compared to the morning fuel. Changing the fuel density reduces the amount of energy in each unit of fuel. Gasoline expands 1% every 15 degrees Celsius, and diesel fuel expands under the same conditions by 0.6%.
   Also make sure the gas tank cap is properly secured. Evaporation of fuel may occur more quickly if the cap is not aligned and not closed tightly enough.

   
   

6. Avoid Aggressive Driving- this is one of the main rules that will significantly save gasoline in the winter. excessive acceleration and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by 25% or more. In addition, on a slippery and smooth surface in winter, you are less likely to retain control over the car, which can lead not only to wheel slip (slip), which, of course, will negatively affect consumption, but, God forbid, to an accident . Try to move at a constant speed.

   
   

7. Use your vehicle efficiently and effectively. Sometimes you don't even need to go somewhere by car! Places that are close to home offer an opportunity for winter exercise. In addition, if the target is close enough, then it will take you more time to warm up the car than to hike.
   Unfortunately, in our country, in almost all cities, there is a problem of timely cleaning of the road after snowfalls. And the car consumes quite a lot of fuel when it overcomes the snow cover. Therefore, sometimes it makes sense to wait until the road is cleared before going on non-urgent and unimportant business. But even when you are driving on an unpaved road, try to follow the tracks made by other cars, or just follow the tracks of the car in front.