12 Ways to Save Fuel in Jamaica

With fuel prices where they are, every kilometre counts. These practical habits and maintenance steps can help you get more out of every litre.

Driving habits

1. Accelerate smoothly. Hard acceleration uses a lot more fuel.

2. Look ahead and coast. Easing off early for traffic lights and stops saves fuel and brakes.

3. Keep a steady speed on the highway. Constant speeding up and slowing down wastes fuel.

4. Don't idle for long periods. If you're parked and waiting, switch off the engine when it's safe and practical.

5. Use the AC sensibly. At low speeds, it may use less fuel to open the windows; at highway speeds, the AC is often better than open windows because of the drag.

6. Remove extra weight. Carrying unnecessary heavy items in the trunk adds up.

7. Plan trips. Combining errands into one trip means fewer cold starts, which use more fuel.

Maintenance that saves fuel

1. Keep tyres at the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance.

2. Replace the air filter on schedule, especially with our dusty roads.

3. Keep up with oil changes using the oil grade your manufacturer recommends.

4. Fix check engine lights. Faulty oxygen sensors, misfires and dirty MAF sensors all increase fuel use.

5. Replace worn spark plugs to keep combustion efficient.

Signs your car is using too much fuel

If your fuel economy suddenly gets worse, something has changed. Common causes include dragging brakes, a stuck thermostat (the engine never reaches proper temperature), a fuel leak, dirty injectors or a faulty sensor.

Track your fuel use

Fill the tank, reset the trip meter, and note how many kilometres you get before the next fill. Keeping a simple record makes it easy to spot a problem early.

Need help with this? RCJ Mobile Mechanics comes to you in Portmore, Spanish Town, Kingston, St. Andrew and across St. Catherine. Call or WhatsApp (658) 207-6565 or book a mechanic online.