Hypermiling tips to increase fuel efficiency
Improving fuel efficiency is an effective way to save money. Hypermiling and proper vehicle maintenance can both help reduce fuel use and emissions.
This article explains key hypermiling techniques to improve fuel efficiency and cut costs.
What is hypermiling?
Hypermiling is a series of energy-efficient driving techniques aimed at maximising mileage and reducing fuel costs.
The following hypermiling techniques can reduce your petrol consumption:
- Read the road ahead
- Remove excess weight
- Regularly checking tyre pressure
- No harsh acceleration/braking
- Good vehicle maintenance
- Halfords Fuel Efficiency Pack
1. Read the road ahead
Assessing the road ahead is essential when looking to maximise fuel efficiency. Being more observant of what’s ahead allows you to better react to what’s around you, reducing the need for any sudden braking.
For example, if you are approaching traffic lights that have been green for some time, it’s likely they will soon change to red. This assessment gives you the opportunity to start braking slowly, rather than coming to a sudden stop.
2. Remove excess weight
Excess weight on your vehicle uses more fuel, creating a drag and impacting rolling resistance. As a result, it’s important that anything you are not using is removed from your car, such as any clutter in the boot or an empty roof box.
3. Regularly check tyre pressure
Underinflated tyres will increase fuel consumption, so it’s essential to get your tyre pressure checked regularly.
You can easily check this yourself using a tyre pressure gauge, or head to one of our garages for a Free Tyre Check. One of our experts will check your tyre pressure as well as the tread depth and conduct an overall inspection to confirm your tyres are safe and legal.
4. No harsh acceleration or braking
Driving a bit more gently can really help your fuel go further. Harsh acceleration and hard braking tend to burn through fuel quickly, so it’s worth trying to keep things smooth and steady on the road.
Even dropping your speed by around 5 mph can make a noticeable difference to fuel efficiency, and in most cases, it won’t add much time to your journey.
5. Good vehicle maintenance
One of the most effective ways to improve fuel efficiency is by keeping your vehicle in good condition. Regular servicing helps ensure everything is running as it should, which in turn helps you get more miles out of every tank.
For an extra boost in efficiency, you can also add our Fuel Efficiency Pack when booking a full, interim, or major service, and it’s a simple way to help maximise your mileage and keep your car performing at its best.
6. Halfords Fuel Efficiency Pack
The Halfords Fuel Efficiency Pack is designed to help your car ran more efficiently by cleaning out your engine and fuel system and removing any built-up contaminants.
You can add it to any of our service options when booking online or at the garage. It’s quick and easy to include.
You’ll notice the difference after just a short drive, saving yourself money on fuel and reducing harmful exhaust emissions.
Some other hypermiling tips include:
- Reduce air conditioning use – Air con can put extra strain on your engine, so using it sparingly can help improve fuel efficiency.
- Avoid idling – If you’re parked or waiting for a while, it’s better to switch off your engine instead of letting it run. Idling uses fuel for no real benefit, especially in traffic or outside the shops.
Fuel Efficiency Pack – FAQ Section
Q. What is the Fuel Efficiency Pack?
Our Fuel Efficiency Pack improves your car’s engine performance, helping increase fuel efficiency and reduce harmful exhaust emissions. Good vehicle maintenance can help you save on fuel costs while reducing your carbon footprint.
Q. What are the benefits of a Fuel Efficiency Pack?
Over time, carbon and other contaminants will build up and form deposits in your engine. Without proper cleaning, the fuel system can become clogged, leading to poor acceleration, reduced power and engine problems, all of which can impact fuel consumption. We use a special non-invasive procedure to clean and remove these contaminants from your engine and fuel system, so your car burns fuel more efficiently. It's one of the best ways to improve fuel consumption.
Q. Why can I not have the Fuel Efficiency Pack on its own without a service?
For this procedure to be fully effective, we have to apply it before draining the old engine oil and then refilling the engine with clean oil. By not draining the old engine oil after the procedure, any contaminants already present will remain in the engine, and the benefits will be greatly reduced, which could potentially cause harm to the engine. It also makes economic sense to add clean oil to a clean engine!
Q. Are these products available to buy online?
No, they aren’t sold individually online, and the service needs to be undertaken by a professional to ensure the car is properly maintained and fit for purpose. Please note that this can only be added to a Car Service
Q. When will I see the benefits of the Fuel Efficiency Pack?
You will notice the difference after a short drive, especially if you are not the first owner of your car.
Q. Is the Fuel Efficiency Pack offered as a standalone service, or does it need to be undertaken with another one?
This should only be completed during your car service by adding the Fuel Efficiency Pack to your Interim Service, Full Service, Major Service or Oil + Filter Change.
Q. How does the Fuel Efficiency Pack work?
The procedure involves a fuel system cleaner and an oil system cleaner, which are correctly applied during your service by one of our expert technicians. The fuel system cleaner works to clean the fuel injection system, restoring the injector spray pattern and keeping the valves clean. This leads to less unburnt fuel being wasted, improved fuel efficiency and restored engine performance. The oil system cleaner works to remove carbon deposits and contamination that build up over time in your engine. Draining old oil will never remove all the contamination that occurs between service intervals. The oil system cleaner will help keep new oil cleaner for longer, which will help to maintain better fuel economy, emissions, and engine performance.
Q. Is the Fuel Efficiency Pack suitable for both diesel and petrol engines?
Yes, the Fuel Efficiency Pack treatment is suitable for both diesel and petrol engines. We use a fuel-specific cleaning fluid depending on which type of engine you have.
Q. How often should I use a Fuel Efficiency Pack?
Our Fuel Efficiency Pack treatment should be used alongside your annual car service (which should take place every 12 months or 12,000 miles) or whenever your car’s oil is being changed.
We particularly recommend adding this to your first car service if you’re not the original owner of your car, for peace of mind that your engine and fuel system are performing as efficiently as possible. Keep an eye on the efficiency and performance of your vehicle, too. If you notice a sharp decline in fuel economy, you may benefit from using the Fuel Efficiency Pack treatment.
Q. Why has Halfords launched this service?
At Halfords, we’re committed to supporting our customers with the rising cost of motoring. Having the Fuel Efficiency Pack undertaken, alongside a service, can improve fuel efficiency, meaning fuel goes further.
Q. Where is the Fuel Efficiency Pack service offered?
The service is offered at Halfords Garages nationwide.
Q. How do I book the Fuel Efficiency Pack service?
Customers can book the service on the website, by calling up or visiting their local Autocentre.
Q. How long does it take to carry out the Fuel Efficiency Pack?
This procedure is carried out as an add-on to your service, and the time to carry out all the work can vary depending on your vehicle. Our team will contact you when your car is ready to collect.
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