GOOD MOTORING
Get fuel efficient
H. Kishie Singh

With today’s petrol and diesel prices at an all-time high, one has to think before making some fitments and attachments to your car.

I was in the auto market the other day and a gentleman with a brand new car was having a roof rack fitted on it. I couldn’t understand the need for a roof rack when the car manufacturer boasts of a boot capacity of more than 400 litres.

The owner’s reason was: "In case I need to carry something." He was preparing for an eventuality that could never arise. He had, however, destroyed the aerodynamics of his car by having a fitment on the top, and this was going to cost him money on a daily basis — with higher fuel bills.

Cars are designed to allow a smooth flow of air over its exterior surface. Putting a roof rack will ruin that smooth shape, create drag and give you a poor fuel average. You don’t really need a roof rack unless you run a taxi. In addition to creating drag, it ruins the looks of a car.

A few of the new cars do have provisions for a roof rack. They are two sleek rails on the roof, no cross members. The rails are designed to offer little or no resistance, while cross members offer resistance and, consequently, raise fuel bills.

Think carefully before opting for such fitments.

Now that winter is here, you don’t need the air conditioner. This means that at traffic lights, you could switch off the engine. At some lights, the wait is ninety seconds. That’s a long time for an engine to idle and burn fuel. At the end of the day, you could improve fuel economy by 10 per cent just in town running. By the time winter is over that could add up to a fair amount of fuel saved.

Equally, you would be making a major contribution to the environment. At rush hour, there can be a hundred or more cars idling at a traffic junction. With engines turned off, it would definitely be a tremendous contribution towards a clean atmosphere as well as save on fuel bills.

Drive with windows closed. There is a fresh air vent in your car. With open windows, the vehicle offers drag, which increases fuel consumption. This translates to higher fuel bills.

It’s also quite common to see a dog’s head out of an open window. This is no good for the dog’s eyes. The animal’s eyes were not meant to face a 60 kmph draught into his eyes. They can get damaged. It is for this reason that mobikers should always wear eye protection.

Car pools. It’s a word that has not become a part of our vocabulary. Where I bank, three employees come from Mohali to Chandigarh. Two came from Panchkula. Does this mean five cars have to be on the road? No. Car pools are the answer. There are only plus points about a car pool. Lower fuel bills. Less wear and tear of your car. Lower repair and maintenance bills. Less cars on the road, less traffic chaos. Less pollution.

If you have more than one car in the house, don’t label them Hers or His and drive them separately. Cold engines are thirsty engines. If you have just returned home and your wife is going shopping. Let her use your car, it will be more fuel efficient since the engine has come up to the operating temperature. You’ll save money.

These are a few fuel saving tips. Simple but effective. All it involves is some thought.

Happy motoring.