By Kaya 959 News
Motorists are reeling from the recent fuel price increase. The price of 95 Unleaded increased by R1 per litre and 93 Unleaded increased by 95c. Low-sulphur diesel (50ppm) climbed by 63c a litre while 500ppm grade increased by 65c. According to Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association, Dewald Ranft, every petrol price increase means more is paid towards petrol costs and less is available for the maintenance of the vehicle.
He said now is the time for vehicle owners to review their vehicle costs and look at cost-saving alternatives that won’t compromise their vehicle or safety.
“Regular maintenance of a vehicle is the only way to ensure it remains roadworthy but is also a money-saving exercise in the long run because major breakages on a vehicle are very expensive. Regular servicing can prevent that. It’s also the best way to ensure you keep your vehicle longer. A car in good condition will run longer and possibly be more fuel efficient,” Ranft said.
He added that in terms of price savings when it comes to maintenance, there are excellent, accredited workshops that realise the expenses customers are dealing with and will offer a top-class service at a reasonable price.
“It’s important to speak to the mechanic and share your concerns about price. There may be a way to do staggered maintenance with staggered payments or another solution. Already by using an independent workshop you are saving as services through dealers are more costly,”he said.
Ranft offers drivers the following fuel-saving tips:
Accelerate at an even pace in traffic. Short bursts of the accelerator will increase fuel consumption.
Drive in a lane which has the least traffic ahead to maintain a constant speed. The engine management system will adjust the most economical settings for the best fuel consumption.
The first startup after a lengthy stand is the one which has the richest fuel mixture, therefore one must prevent harsh acceleration whilst the engine is still cold as this will spike the consumption figure dramatically. Do not idle a cold engine to warm it up, as this will not improve the fuel consumption nor lengthen the life of the engine.
If you are in a heavy traffic situation and the waiting times are lengthy, do not be afraid to turn off the engine and restart once the traffic starts moving again. Modern engines are now being equipped with this function to aid fuel saving. However prevent continuous switch-offs as this will drain the battery.
He said people need to come up with ways to use their vehicles less.
“Fortunately these days many people are still working from home but are nevertheless still having to ferry children to and from school each day. Car-pooling is a great way to save on fuel expenses and may be something to consider. Also plan your shopping trips better. Avoid several short trips to shops that burn up fuel, by planning and shopping once a week. Finally if you can walk rather than drive, consider this option. It will improve your physical health and financial health,” he said.
Picture source: Pexels
