Motorists have been warned about a little-known mistake that can lead to “staggering” fuel costs as fuel consumption increases. Despite the drop in recent weeks, gasoline and diesel prices are still quite high compared to a year ago.
With that in mind, motorists across the country have been urged to check their car’s engine oil level, as it can have a significant effect on your fuel economy.
The latest RAC Fuel watch shows that drivers can expect to pay 164.13 pence per liter for unleaded fuel.
The situation is even worse for diesel car owners, who can expect to shell out an average of 180.78 pence per liter of diesel.
With that in mind, a spokesperson for insurance revolution warned drivers about the importance of using motor oil to keep their cars up to scratch.
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“As a result, they would ask for more fuel volume, which would increase driving costs.
“Then be smart enough to check your vehicle’s manual for engine oil specifications.”
GSF Car Parts also urges drivers to stay on top of their oil and water levels, especially before embarking on long trips.
In addition to keeping the engine lubricated and running smoothly, engine oil can also have a major influence on a driver’s fuel efficiency and overall vehicle performance.
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Motor oil can improve a vehicle’s fuel economy as it has a lower viscosity.
Moving thicker fluid through the engine uses more energy due to friction at key places like the oil pump and piston.
GSF Car Parts stated: “When buying motor oil, look for some important numbers that indicate its viscosity.
“Taking 05W-20 oil as an example, the number before the ‘W’ stands for ‘winter’ and refers to cold viscosity performance, and the number below represents the viscosity of the oil after the engine has warmed up.
“In the 1990s, 20W-50 and 10W-30 were the most widely used oils, but today they have been replaced by 05W-20 and even 0W-20 oils in newer engines.”
With vehicle fuel efficiency standards improving, drivers will benefit from having to visit the gas station less often.
Automakers are also under constant pressure from consumers to improve the fuel economy of their vehicles.
In 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency set a goal for the average new vehicle to get 54.5 mpg (23.2 km/L) by 2025.
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