Find out how to save fuel to mitigate the huge increase – 03/12/2022 – Mercado

Not on foot It is possible to escape the massive increase in fuel prices announced by Petrobras Last Thursday (10). High inflation will affect everyone. But Depends on the continuous use of the car will face a greater challenge So that their activities are not rendered useless by the pump of the gas station.

Experts say, however, that some careful driving, correct use of vehicle equipment and regular maintenance can significantly reduce waste.

Turning off the air conditioner, which is also the clearest and most measurable instruction, can reduce monthly consumption by 10%, considering the example of a driver who constantly uses the device.

Given the price of the most expensive liter of gasoline recorded last week in São Paulo by the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels, which was 7.60 R$, the driver who gives up this convenience saves R$30.40 per 40-liter tank.

What if it is impossible to withstand the heat without running the air? Closed windows reduce the energy consumption required to cool the environment, as well as reduce aerodynamic resistance in the event of displacement, which also leads to small savings.

The way a car is driven also increases or decreases fuel consumption, especially in “go and stop” traffic in large cities. In manual transmission models, the secret lies in adjusting the timing of the gear changes, according to Rafael Seravo, professor of mechanical engineering at Centro Universitário FEI.

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

Automatic cars work with less consumption.. some new generations [de veículos] You 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 massive fuel price increases. Aggressive stoking of the throttle also increases waste.

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

Regarding city driving, Szabo points out that avoiding sudden acceleration contributes to the economy. “With the engine running between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm (rpm), without big, violent steps on the throttle, it tends to reduce fuel consumption,” he explains.

At least part of the waste can be dissolved in the machine shop. The parts connected to the ignition, such as the spark plug and the coil, should be checked periodically. The combustion process damages equipment over time, impairing engine performance.

Tires that are properly inflated (checked once a week) and within the manufacturer’s recommended lifespan are also included in the essential care list.

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

Before going out for a ride, it is worth checking the trunk of the car and making sure that you are not carrying unnecessary weight. The higher the weight, the more energy is needed to get the car out of place. The same goes for accessories like luggage racks. The ideal is to keep only the essentials.