How fuel efficient is your car? 

A fuel efficient car can save you thousands and it’s better for the environment too. 

If you are looking to buy a car then you need to consider what it will cost you. Not only in the initial outlay but in terms of the ongoing expenses such as repairs, servicing, insurance and fuel. 

One of the biggest ongoing costs associated with owning a car is petrol, and with prices creeping up you can’t avoid being stung where it hurts, in your back pocket. 

So when you buy your next car, how do you know you are getting a fuel efficient vehicle as opposed to a gas guzzler?

One of the more obvious indicators of a car’s petrol churning potential is its size. We all know that a handy little Honda Civic burns far less that a Ford Falcon or the like. 
If you’re not fussed on size then a smaller more compact car is recommended and it will save you money. 

Apart from saving you dollars, having a smaller more fuel efficient vehicle also saves the consumption of expendable fossils fuels. These are bad for the environment and we do not have an endless supply. 

So when you are looking to buy you should look at this very important factor. How does the car rate in terms of its fuel consumption?

New Zealand has a rating system that allows you to easily see how fuel efficient a car is compared to other cars*. The star rating system takes into account the consumption and the CO2 output. The more stars, the more efficient and environmentally friendly the car is. 

So now you have picked a fuel efficient model there are some things you can do to reduce your consumption:

• Keeping your car in top shape will save fuel. Keep the tyres inflated to the right level, get regular servicing and checks ups
• Drive safely. Accelerating and decelerating uses more fuel. If you keep good following distance, maintain an even speed and drive carefully you will use less fuel
• Don’t carry unnecessary loads in your car. A heavier load increases fuel consumption
• Don’t leave your car idling, if you are going to be stopped for more than a minute then turn the engine off
• Air-conditioning uses fuel; only use your air con when you absolutely need to
  

* http://www.rightcar.govt.nz/ratings/fueleconomy.html