5 useful tips that will allow you to save gas

You've probably heard this phrase many times: "I bought a diesel because it's more fuel-efficient."

And yes, it's true that diesel engines, compared to their gasoline counterparts, consume less fuel.

However, we also shouldn't forget that the maintenance costs for diesel vehicles are higher, due to the complexity of their engines and the implementation of sophisticated emissions control systems.

This leads many drivers to opt for gasoline engines as a way to avoid future headaches.

So, if you're one of those people who has to worry about your fuel level again just four days after filling up, then you should keep reading this post. We'll give you five useful tips that will allow you to save fuel and postpone that dreaded refueling trip by a day or two.

Why do gasoline engines consume more fuel than diesel engines?

With exceptions like the Wankel engine, all combustion engines contain—broadly speaking—the same components: cylinders, connecting rods, intake valves, and exhaust valves. Therefore, the truly determining factor in why one system consumes more fuel than another lies precisely in the chemical composition of that fuel.

FUEL DENSITY ENERGY PER LITER
Gasoline 0.74 kg/l 32.18 MJ/l
Diesel 0.83 kg/l 35.86 MJ/l

The graph above shows that diesel provides more energy per volume (measured in liters) than gasoline. This is why diesel cars are able to provide greater range per liter consumed, and therefore offer the much-desired fuel savings. However, if your car is gasoline-powered, don't worry, as there are certain habits that, if incorporated into your driving and car use, will allow you to save fuel and, in some cases, extend the life of your vehicle.

1 - Check that your tire pressure is correct: If your tires are underinflated, your fuel consumption will increase. And what's worse, your braking distance will increase, considerably reducing your safety.

2 - Practice efficient driving: If you drive avoiding sudden braking, at a constant speed, and don't change gears unnecessarily, you can save up to 10% more fuel.

3 - Wait a few seconds for the fuel pump to prime before starting the engine: This way, you not only avoid future pump failure, but you also save fuel.

4 - Use the air conditioning sparingly: When the ambient temperature is 25°C, air conditioning reduces fuel consumption by 12%. Opening the windows (in safe places) is more effective at saving fuel than using the air conditioning.

5 - Wait a bit before pressing the accelerator: If you press the accelerator pedal before the engine has finished starting, you will waste fuel unnecessarily. Therefore, we recommend waiting until the engine has finished starting before pressing it.

Bonus tip: ECU remapping

If your car has a turbocharger, you can achieve fuel savings of between 10 and 15% by remapping the ECU. This is simply an adjustment of the car's ECU software. which can be focused on fuel economy, increased power, or a combination of both.

At Ecumotorstock, we specialize in ECU remapping. With over 15 years of experience, we guarantee the quality of our services. So, if you're considering a remap focused on fuel efficiency, we invite you to contact us.