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09 September 2010
 
Haynes seriously useful info

The Seriously useful info series

Although many car owners believe that modern cars are too complicated for them to work on, this is not so. Routine tasks can be done by anybody - if they know what they are doing.

With the Seriously Useful Info series, our mission is to give you a greater understanding of your car and provide you with essential tips, advice and tasks that will aid trouble-free motoring. For example: how to check tyres and engine fluids, replace wiper blades, light bulbs and spark plugs, how to conduct a pre-MOT test check and what to do before taking your car on holiday or abroad.

Links to the other Seriously Useful Info features appear at the bottom of this page.

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Beat the petrol price rises with Haynes' top 10 ways to cheaper motoring


Saving petrol with HaynesSaving petrol makes economic sense. Prices at petrol pumps continue to rise and fuel, both diesel and petrol, is now more expensive than ever and prices are likely to continue rising. Monitoring fuel economy is more important than ever.

There are other considerations too. Petrol and diesel vehicles produce carbon dioxide - a 'greenhouse' gas which has a significant effect on global warming and climate change. Pollution from cars may also adversely affect the health of vulnerable people - the elderly, asthmatics and those with heart or lung diseases.

The best way to save money and the planet is to use your car less. One major insurance company is already considering 'pay as you go' motor insurance to make leaving your car at home even more attractive. Car sharing clubs are becoming more popular and many people are opting to work from home instead of commuting daily. Another easy way to save money is to spend some - on a Haynes automotive repair manual!

Haynes, the world-leading publisher of automotive repair manuals, is renowned for teaching millions of car owners how to carry out routine maintenance and repairs. The manuals provide authoritative and accurate step-by step information for both basic and more complex tasks. There are more than 300 Haynes service and repair manuals available, covering both modern and classic cars, motorcycles and vans.

From the viewpoint of improving fuel economy, each manual contains detailed instructions for maintaining the efficiency of your vehicle. There are sections about checking tyre pressures and how to spot wheel misalignment, and of course there are step-by-step instructions on how to renew critical service items such as air filters and spark plugs.

Here's how to save money
  1. Don't cruise at 80 to 85 mph on motorways. Stick to the legal limit of 70 mph and save up to 4p a mile in small cars. (You can save even more at lower speeds - the Slower Speeds Initiative says that driving at 50 mph instead of 70 can cut your fuel bill by 30 per cent - but don't make this an excuse for obstructing other drivers.)
  2. Check your tyre pressures often. Under-inflated tyres can cost you eight per cent more fuel (and they'll wear out faster too).
  3. Have your car serviced regularly (or save even more money by doing it yourself). A well-maintained engine is more efficient and less polluting.
  4. Drive smoothly and consistently; this can reduce fuel consumption by more than 10 per cent in urban areas. Saves wear and tear on brakes, tyres and suspension too. Fierce acceleration and harsh braking both cost money.
  5. Use the gears so that your engine is operating at its most fuel efficient (usually the rpm where maximum torque is generated) - this could cut fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent.
 
  1. Remove that roof rack! Fully loaded, a roof rack can add 30 per cent to fuel consumption. Even an empty ski rack may add seven to eight per cent.
  2. Turn off the air conditioning system and the heated rear window when they're not needed to save 10 per cent at the pumps.
  3. For potentially bigger savings, opt for a more efficient car - it will cause less pollution and will save you money on tax as well as fuel. Petrol/electric hybrids can travel 60 miles or more on a gallon of petrol!
  4. Sharing a car on a journey divides the cost of the fuel and reduces congestion. Check out an online service such as Liftshare.com.
  5. For short journeys, leave your car at home and walk or cycle instead. Use public transport where possible.
 
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'Haynes Publishing' is the trade name of JH Haynes & Co Ltd ( Company Number 1449587 ). Both this company & its parent company, Haynes Publishing Group P.L.C. ( Company Number 659701 ), are registered in England & Wales and their Registered Office is at Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7JJ, England.