Buying a more fuel efficient car
It is no secret that some cars are much more fuel efficient than others. If are looking to buy a new car and want one that will cost less to run, there are several factors to consider. Probably the most important is the MPG listed by the manufacturer. MPG stands for “miles per gallon” and is the official rating of how far your car can travel per gallon of fuel. A typical SUV will have an MPG score of around 9 to 18. Fuel efficient hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius can have MPGs of up to 60. The higher the MPG, the more efficient the car is. Once you have looked at the MPGs of various cars, consider the size and weight of each. The heavier the car, the more fuel it uses. You may also want to take the type of fuel into consideration. Cars that run on diesel tend to have a higher MPG than petrol cars, up to 25% higher than the petrol equivalent in some cases. Cars that run partly on electricity are even more efficient. A full hybrid like the Toyota Prius can run on electric motors up to speeds of around 30mph, and above that uses conventional fuel, supported by electricity. A car like this will save you money as well as helping save the environment. Finally, have a think about which options you want your car to be equipped with. Most new cars come with air conditioning, but if you don’t really need it, leave it out or keep it turned off to increase efficiency by up to 4MPG. Sunroofs can add drag to the car when they are open, which means more fuel will be used up. If you really need a sunroof, leave it shut as much as possible. Overall, the best way to go when buying an efficient car is probably to look into hybrids. Speak to your local dealer and see what they have to offer.
