... get more out of my car..

Jay-Jay_4

Dont laugh, but QVC sell a magnetic type gadget called "Pilot Green " which you attach to the fuel inlet pipe.

Oooh...... know this

If you really want to know how they work then read this ::) It's a good cure for insomnia.

scheming_gypsy

You get what you pay for, which brand of multigrade oil do you use?

Came fully topped up when i got it so not sure what's actually in it at the mo.

Tony_H_3

Oh Oh Oh, there is one more thing you can do....... :-/

Start your car a few minutes before you are due to use it, this way it will give the engine time to get upto operating temparature. If you are able to do this you will notice a marked improvement.

vansboy

Sorry Tony H, can't agree, with that one!!

Gentle driving off, as soon as starting & not working the engine hard, 'till reaching normal operating temperature, is the way I'd suggest.

Also leaving an unattended vehicle running, has legal, safety, security & fuel wasting implications.

Anyway, to show a few pointers...

The proper servicing is obvious - new plugs, air filter & clean oil all help(Oil should be semi synthetic, at the least - check the VW spec numbers on the pack - VW 501, I'd say).But also checking brakes are Ok & not binding, needs to be considered.

Something as simple as having correct tyre pressures (free or pennies, to check) often gets overlooked.

All the junk you've in the boot needs clearing, too.Excess weight, uses fuel.

Chances are, 'cos it's been colder, recently, the choke is on longer - can't alter that - so you're fuel will be used more than in the long hot summer we had.It was a Thursday, I think!!

Can you cut down on the shorter runs - they don't help?


Avoid supermarket fuel - buy Shell Optimax petrol (dearer than unleaded.) This will help keep the engine cleaner & more efficient. If you're not keen on this, get branded petrol - you'll at least get some additive, benefits.

& the Shell stations have an active loyalty card scheme - costs nothing to get their card. Consider the Shell credit card, too. Even if you only use it once, you'll get £10 worth of free fuel!!

When refuelling, if finances allow, brim the tank to the first click of the nozzle. This will do 2 hings - first, you'll not need to return & waste time/fuel going to the garage. Also, you'll get an acurate measure of distance travelled (reset the mile counter, after filling) & be able to TRULY guage fuel used.

As you mentioned a possible leak - not likely, or you'd have heard the explosion by now, but always worth investigating!!

More tips along in a minute!!

VB

chemtech

Try driving with no shoe's on. Might sound daft, but it does work.

vansboy

Totally agree, Grumpy - I always remove my footwear, before a long journey.You have a better 'feel' for cars control.

Also helps do away with boring conversation - for some reason my pasengers become unconcious!!

We will now have people telling us that this is an offence to drive without shoes - SERIOUSLY!!

VB

scheming_gypsy

Cheers Vanboy, I'm not 100% sure when it was last serviced so i think that'll be my first (or 3rd after Redex and eco-tabs) stop.

I only really drive to work and back and the odd trip to the shop. Work is only a 10 mile trip each way through the centre of town so there's a lot of stopping and starting. Although i could do a detour and go down the motorway, might give it a whirl and see what happens..

Some of the shorter trips won't really get missed out either, last thing you want to do after walking the dog for 4 miles is to go for another walk.

Savvy_Sue

I can grumble as much as i want if a full tank goes down ...

Just not justifiably if you're regularly making journies of 100 yards! ;D

Our gauge is completely unreliable once it's down to 1/4 tank. We have a readout telling us how many miles are left in the tank, and this leaps around from 35 to 150 apparently at random. I won't do more than 250 miles before I fill it up again because I've run out of petrol twice.

Savvy_Sue

All the junk you've in the boot needs clearing, too.Excess weight, uses fuel.

The police took the body out, didn't they? ;D

scheming_gypsy

lol, i think so... shame about the weight cos i've got my 6x9's to go in and a boxed sub woofer, along with my snowboard and boots that i never bother to move.