How to save fuel?

The recent price hike in petrol has been causing a lot of commotion among the people in our country. Some voiced out their satisfactions thru the daily papers, some in the local radio stations and some even made a more extreme move to stage a protest in the KL city center.

We can't really blame these people for acting such a way because the 30 cents increase is indeed too sudden and too much for them to bear. Those in the lower and middle range income have been impacted the most. They can barely survive even before the hike.

Last Sunday, I came across this article written by a reader of The Star paper. It was a sarcastic letter that teaches everyone how to save fuel, which is in a way disapproving and condemning the recent increase.

1. Don't signal - ever
Not that Malaysians use their indicator anyway but it is an even more compelling reason not to waste energy on that blinking light.

2. Don't park in multi-storey car parks
Going up and down ramps burns fuel. Better to just leave the car outside on a single yellow line.

3. Don't brake for bumps
Braking burns fuel so just keep accelerating over speed bumps.

4. Commute off-peak
Avoid the rush hour traffic by going into work at 10am and coming home at 3pm.

5. Delay switching on headlights
Wait until it gets really dark or until someone flashes you before switching on the headlights.

6. Sing
Radio music is lousy anyway. Sing to entertain yourself instead of letting your Blaupunkt burn more fuel.

7. Carpool
Cram as many poeple as possible into your Kancil. Besides, the added weight helps with braking.

8. Smoke cigarettes
You will naturally open your window to smoke so this saves on air-con usage.

9. Coast downhill
Turn off the engine and free up gear when going down a slope. Let gravity do the work, not petrol.

10. Invest in body kits
Making the car more aero-dynamic with sporty skirting and spoilers reduces drag and fuel consumption.

11. Use 18-inch rims
Big rims mean less tyre material, i.e. rubber. Therefore less rubber is burnt while driving.

12. Drive on the line
Align the middle of the car on the line that divides two lanes on a dual carriageway. This reduces the need to make sharp turns as you are effectively using the racing line.

13. Go through red lights
If you are in front at a traffic light, go straight on. Braking hard for a yellow or red lights burns fuel.

14. Use high gears
Try to go from first straight to fourth. Keep the revs to below 1000rpm.

15. Take MCs
Utilise your entitlement to the max. Everyday that you don't go to work is RM saved on fuel, toll, parking, etc.

16. Use the emergency lane
Why sit idle in traffic when you can gain ground efficiently on the extra lane?

17. Speed
The faster you reach your destination, the less fuel you use.