Everyone is feeling the pain at the pumps

 

The ever-fluctuating fuel prices are a constant frustration for motorists in South Africa, making fuel efficiency even more crucial.

 

Fuel-efficient cars are becoming more popular and for good reason. Not only do they save you money, but they also have a smaller carbon footprint, making them better for the environment.

 

We often underestimate the impact that our driving habits can have on fuel consumption. However, some small changes could help you protect your pocket at the pumps.

 

We’ve got all the tips, tricks, and hacks that you’ll need to save on fuel, regardless of what vehicle you’re driving.

 

 

Understanding fuel efficiency metrics

Fuel is an essential part of transportation, and it can’t be avoided. That’s why it’s best to know as much as you can about fuel consumption to ensure you own an efficient vehicle, you’re driving efficiently, and you’re checking for the right warning signs when filling up or maintaining your vehicle.

 

 

Let’s break down the fuel efficiency metrics

One way to measure fuel consumption is litres per 100km (litres/100km). This is how many litres of fuel the car needs in order to travel 100km. The lower the number of litres stated, the better the fuel economy.

 

Kilometres per litre (km/1-litre) is another way to look at a car’s fuel consumption. In this instance, the higher the number of kilometres travelled, the more fuel-efficient.

Your vehicle manufacturer publishes average fuel consumption figures regularly, which are based on testing (in different driving cycles, conditions, and temperatures), to work out a trustworthy average fuel consumption per vehicle model. The published figure of a car's fuel efficiency is always a good indication of the vehicle's fuel efficiency, but it's never set in stone, and there are multiple factors that can influence it. If you’d like to know how fuel efficient your car is, have a look at our free, and useful fuel-efficiency calculator.