How to Make an Suv more Fuel Efficient
With the price of gas steadily on the rise, SUV owners are looking for ways to cut back on their fuel consumption. One of the major drawbacks of an SUV is the fact that they often use a great deal more gas than a more traditional vehicle. There are lots of ways to cut the fuel consumption of an SUV, many of these ideas are very simple and easy to put into practice. So now we will take a look at some simple tips and ideas to make an SUV more fuel efficient.
Reduce Speeds - Statistics prove that if a vehicle is driven at a lower speed it will use far less fuel. Some SUVs have cruise control settings, lower these a by a few kilometres and the economy of the vehicle will instantly rise. When driving around built up areas where there is lots of stopping and starting, increase speeds gradually, do not rev the engine and avoid aggressive driving. Drivers should constantly be aware of how they are driving.
Reduce Weight - One of the biggest appeals to many drivers of an SUV is the ability to transport larger items. However this obviously increases fuel consumption. An SUV owner should only carry large, heavy, bulky items when necessary. One should make sure that they are not carrying excess weight for no reason. Anything that does not need to be in the vehicle should be removed.
Maintain The SUV - It is very important that drivers know how to maintain their SUV. One of the most important factors in this regard is properly inflated tyres. If tyres are under inflated or over inflated it can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10%. One should also make sure the engine is running smoothly and take it to a mechanics for regular checks and services. If an SUV is running smoothly it will use less gas.
Drive Less - In today’s society people just automatically drive everywhere without thinking. However, often people are only travelling short distances, one should ask themselves, ‘Do I need to take my SUV? Can I walk?’. Route planning is also sensible in this regard, if a driver has a set destination, he should plan the shortest route that will use the least amount of fuel.
Avoid Using The Air Conditioning - Many modern SUVs are fitted with air conditioning. While this is a very useful feature on a hot summers day it does use a great deal of fuel. On some vehicles fuel consumption can increase by 20% when the air con is turned on. It is far more fuel efficient to just open a window. Drivers should only be using the air conditioning when absolutely necessary.
Shop Around - If planning on purchasing a new SUV or trading for a different model, it is vital to do some research and shop around. Some SUVs use large amounts of gas whereas others are far more fuel efficient. A buyer may have to spend a little more sometimes, but if they are making large savings on gas then this will be a good investment for the future and actually save them money. Always ask car dealers about the fuel consumption of vehicles and be aware of how much each model is likely to use.
Despite the current gas prices SUV owners should not panic about the amount of fuel they are consuming. With a few simple steps and some good common sense, drivers can cut down on their fuel consumption and make their SUV more economical. Although these tips may not save drivers hundreds of dollars straight away, over a longer period of time there will be significant savings that start to mount up. All it takes is a little self discipline and SUV drivers can start to make their SUV more fuel efficient.
