Learn how to save fuel to mitigate the mega-surge

Not even on foot you can escape the mega-increase in fuel prices announced by Petrobras last Thursday (10th). The rise in inflation will hit everyone. But those who depend on the constant use of the car will have a greater challenge not to have their activities made unfeasible by the gas station pump.

Experts say, however, that some care in driving the vehicle, the correct use of car equipment and periodic maintenance can considerably reduce waste.

Turning off the air conditioning, which is the most obvious and also the most measurable of the guidelines, can reduce monthly consumption by 10%, considering the example of a driver who makes continuous use of the equipment.

Considering the price of the most expensive liter of gasoline recorded last week in São Paulo by the ANP (National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel), which was R$ 7.60, the driver who gives up this comfort saves R$ 30 .40 for each 40 liter tank.

What if it’s impossible to withstand the heat without turning on the air? Closed windows reduce the energy consumption needed to cool the environment, in addition to reducing aerodynamic resistance in displacement, which also generates slight savings.

The way of driving the vehicle also results in greater or lesser fuel consumption, especially in the “go and stop” of traffic in large cities. In manual transmission models, the secret is to set the timing for gear changes, according to Rafael Serravo, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Centro Universitário FEI.

Gears must be passed without sudden accelerations, before the pointer or digital indicator of the tachometer on the car’s dashboard reaches its limit. Trading near this limit is a valid feature on the road, but not in the city.

“Automatic cars work with lower consumption. Some newer generations [de veículos] they have up to eight gears, precisely to use the least amount of fuel possible”, comments Serralvo.

Foot on the board is definitely not an option in times of mega-increase in fuel prices. Aggressive stomps on the accelerator also increase waste.

Clayton Barcelos Zabeu, a mechanical engineer at Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia, says that the ideal is to keep the red hand on the tachometer between 1,500 and 3,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). This is less than half of the display limit on most vehicles.

Still in relation to driving in the city, Zabeu points out that avoiding sudden accelerations contributes to the economy. “With the engine working between 1,500 and 3,000 RPMs (Revolutions per Minute), without big aggressive steps on the accelerator, it tends to reduce fuel consumption”, he details.

It is in the machine shop that at least part of the waste can be resolved. Parts connected to the ignition, such as the spark plug and coil, should be checked periodically. The combustion process damages equipment over time, impairing engine performance.

Tires that are correctly inflated (checking must be done once a week) and within the manufacturer’s recommended life period are also included in the essential care list.

Guidance on periodic inspections can be found in the vehicle manual. Those who do not have the item in hand can check the manufacturer’s website.

Before going out to ride, it’s worth looking in the trunk and checking that you’re not carrying unnecessary weight. The more weight, the more energy it takes to get the car out of place. The same goes for accessories such as luggage racks. The ideal is to keep only the essentials.