Here’s HOW to get the most kilometres from a tank of FUEL

September 2023 saw near-record fuel-price increases in SA, and the data is looking bad for October, too. So, we asked the experts how you can get the most kilometres from a tank of fuel.

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Like anything, if you want to see genuine results, you’re going to need to work hard to get the most kilometres from your tank. This is known as ‘hypermiling,’ a term coined by experts from the AA, and it proves that there are no magic solutions to maximising your tank range.

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No matter what car you drive – from the most frugal hatchback to the biggest, thirstiest SUV/bakkie – you can always get more kilometers from your tank. Saving on fuel each month requires common sense, skill and practice. Trust us, once you start to see results it becomes addictive.

GET THE MOST KILOMETRES FROM A TANK

How you drive is probably the number one factor in how many kilometres from a tank you’ll achieve. These are really simply techniques that won’t only save you fuel, but make you a safer more courteous driver:

MOMENTUM

Look as far as of you as you can. This is what separates great drivers from average ones. If you anticipate the actions of other drivers, you won’t be held up by them. Always endeavor to keep moving, stop-start driving is not as efficient as keeping an even speed throughout.

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Don’t accelerate towards stationary cars at a traffic light. Rather lift of the throttle, coast towards the back of the pack and aim to reach them when the light goes green again. If you cruise through, congrats, you’ll get the most kilometres from a tank.

BE CLEVER

We recommend Google Maps, as we’ve found it to be more consistently accurate then Waze, but either way, use a traffic app for your journeys. Even your regular commute. If it saves you a minute or two and keeps you out of a traffic snarl up to save you fuel, that can only be a good thing.

KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

Modern vehicles have incredible fuel-saving tech onboard. Downsized, turbocharged engines, 48V mild-hybrid systems that power the ancillaries and stop-start functionality. Know what your car has and use these to your advantage. Many cars have great lift and coast functionality when means they’re using virtually zero fuel when you’re off the throttle.

KEEP YOUR REVS LOW

Check where your car develops peak torque, and don’t rev beyond that point before changing gear. This is a great way to get the most kilometres from a tank of fuel. Small turbocharged cars like a Renault Clio only need to rev to roughly 2 500 r/min.

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An older car like a VW Polo Vivo only makes peak torque at 3 750 r/min, so you’ll feel the need to rev it a bit higher to get decent forward momentum. That’s fine, get to that zone as smoothly as possible and stick in the highest gear possible. That’s the way to get the most kilometres from a tank.

DRIVE LESS

The most efficient journey is the one not taken. Seriously, if you’re really feeling the fuel-price pinch, it’s time to be more mindful about where and when you drive. Lots of short stop-start journeys where your car needs to warm up from cold are the least efficient.

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So, do you need to make that one short hop to the shop every day for a loaf of bread, or can you walk/cycle instead? Better still, rather plan one big weekly shop.

TYRE PRESSURES

Make sure your tyres are always running at the correct tyre pressure. Pump them up half a bar higher than recommended if you don’t mind a firm ride. If your car sits for long periods of time the tyre pressures will drop.

TRAVEL LIGHT

The way to get the most kilometres from a tank is to make sure your car is running light. Don’t lug around any unnecessary weight, whether it be random items in your boot, strapped to your roof, or in your bakkie’s load bay. Speaking of bakkies. Do you need that canopy that adds an extra 100 kg of weight? If not, take it off.

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If you have any foolproof methods to get the most kilometres from a tank of fuel, be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. Send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com.

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