15
WAYS TO NEGATE THE RECENT FUEL PRICE INCREASE*
by
TV Smith
13/05/05
Improve your vehicle's fuel consumption - by as much as 40% - by changing
the way you currently drive. There is a catch, though. You'll no longer qualify
as a Malaysian driver...
Link
to this artcle: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/130505_fuel.html
1.
Pump More Here & Pump Less There
Don't wait until your car senget
one side before inflating your tyres. Low tyre pressure forces your engine to
work and drink harder. Driving on underinflated tyres also reduces the life of
the tyres. A lose-lose situation.
2. Dig Your Nose
Digging your
nose is more economical than gunning your engine while waiting at traffic lights.
Jack rabbit starts cost you even more. Never floor the pedal unless there's an
express bus looming in your rearview mirror. Learn how to accelerate (and brake)
smoothly for better fuel efficiency.
3. Pay It Again Sam
You
may be using an alternative toll-free road as a sign of protest or as a means
of saving money. If the the old route is perpetually congested and longer, you
may end up burning more fuel than the toll saved. Sad but often true.
4.
Go Look Stop
Are you one of those who frequently get stuck behind a stalled
vehicle, crash into road humps or potholes? If you look further than 3 meters
while driving, you can better anticipate obstacles and avoid fuel guzzling start-stop
situations. Good reason not to tailgate too.
5. Make Up Your Mind
I
don't know if it's kiasuness or indecisiveness that makes people drive with the
other foot riding the brake pedal. A slight touch might not be noticeable to you
but it strains the engine, wears out your brakes prematurely and confuses the
poor driver behind. Make sure your handbrake is down all the way too.
Link
to this artcle: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/130505_fuel.html
6.
Get Rid Of Freeloaders
The less passengers the less weight. The less load
the better the fuel economy. If you want to car pool, pool the cost. Clear your
boot by removing unutilised items like golf sets, prams, barbecue sets, scuba
gear, etc.
7. Bear With Crow Shit
Park your car under the shade
wherever possible. The hotter your car interior becomes, the harder the air-conditioning
needs to work later, the more fuel the engine consumes as a result. The hot sun
also increases fuel loss through evaporation.
8. Stay Safe & Save
Fuel
consumption jumps dramatically after a certain speed. Keeping to the speed limit
saves you more than traffic fines. Driving at 120 kph, rather than 100 kph, may
increase fuel consumption by another 25 percent. The dangers of speeding far outweigh
the travel time saved.
9. Get A Life
Stop pissing off your neighbours
in the mornings and do yourself a favour. Most modern cars have no chokes or carburetors,
so there's no need for long, noisy engine warm- ups. Hard revving a cold engine
kills it faster than driving it.
10. Let The Bugger Go
There's
no need to catch up with an offending driver just to show a finger or fist. You
end up either paying more for fuel or a hefty hospital bill.
11. Learn
From Your Mistakes
If your wife or girlfriend says she needs to pop into
a warehouse sale for a quick look-see, find a parking spot and turn off the engine.
Long idling wastes fuel and pollutes the environment.
Link
to this artcle: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/130505_fuel.html
12.
Don't Be A Drag Queen
Remove that empty showoff roof rack or that ugly
ill-designed Ah Beng spoiler as it causes
unnecessary drag. Smoking with your windows down at cruising speed also increases
drag. Newer cars (except the Juara)
are aerodynamically designed for fuel efficiency. Stop adding unnecessary external
accessories such as jutting elbows.
13. Meter The Meter
Keep
track of your car's fuel consumption by monitoring the odometer or tripmeter.
A sudden drop may mean mechanical problems. Timely oil change and other maintenance
can save you significant amount of fuel.
14. Try A Different Nasi
Lemak
All petrol are the same except for the additives and advertising.
Contrary to what most Malaysians believe, you can mix your fuel. There's really
no need to waste fuel by driving out of the way just to fill up your favourite
brand and redemption card.
Link to this artcle:
http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/130505_fuel.html
15. Get A New Boss
Use online banking or find a better employer. Stop driving to an ATM every
hour just to check whether your salary is in.
*Your mileage may vary
Update: Make Money From The New Fuel Subsidy Scheme?
Everything You Wanted To Know About The Cash Handout...
©
2005 TV SMITH
Link to this article: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/130505_fuel.html
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