10 tips for reducing fuel consumption

When buying a car, every driver starts thinking about the need to save on petrol. The more experienced ones know how to achieve this by managing the car’s dynamics. Drivers with less experience tend to see cutting mileage as the main way to do it. But only a few know a handful of tricks that can cut consumption by almost half.

What’s great about cars from Korea is how well they’re adapted to real-world operating conditions. Hyundai parts are good quality, inexpensive, and can be found everywhere. The fuel system is adapted to run on A-76 petrol. But the question of economy still doesn’t go away. So what can any driver do?

1. The main issue is tuning. Correctly set ignition timing, a properly torqued hub bearing, sound wiring and properly adjusted electrical consumers, well-adjusted brake pads — all of this helps save up to 10% of fuel. Add wheel alignment on top of that, and you get the full 15%.
2. Replace the air filter. The lack of air that inevitably occurs with a clogged filter affects how the fuel mixture forms, and in the end some of the petrol is wasted. Kia parts are inexpensive, and replacing filter elements regularly won’t hit your wallet hard.
3. Use synthetic or semi-synthetic engine oil. Compared with mineral oils, these have lower viscosity, which has a favourable effect on how the engine runs.
4. Pay attention to the wheels. Tyre pressure needs to be kept in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations at all times. Dropping the pressure by 0.5 atm leads to excess fuel consumption of up to 5%. Driving on studded tyres in summer also adds 6% to fuel use.
5. Don’t overload the car and don’t carry unnecessary things in the boot. As an example: over 20,000 km of mileage, an extra 100 kg of load “eats up” as much as 150 litres of fuel.
6. Driving style affects fuel consumption. Frequent acceleration and braking, sharp starts at traffic lights — none of this does anything for economy. Smooth driving, on the other hand, does. Get rid of the habit of holding the car in place on an incline at a red light with the throttle or the brake. Use the handbrake instead.
7. Limit the use of certain electrical consumers. The most “gluttonous” one is the air conditioner. If it runs constantly, you can knock off 10% of your fuel.
8. A loose alternator belt increases fuel consumption.
9. When stopped for more than 2–3 minutes, the engine should be switched off, since idling for that long uses just as much fuel as starting the engine does. Beyond that time, it’s pure fuel waste.
10. Tuning enthusiasts who’ve fitted wider wheels in place of the stock ones should know that fuel consumption will increase because of the added aerodynamic drag.

Just ten tips, and you can meaningfully cut what you spend on filling up your car. And as you can see, none of it requires anything superhuman or complicated from the driver.