Fuel in Nigeria has become a scarce commodity and getting it after a long queue is not guaranteed.
Many gas stations sell at exorbitant prices with a long queue of car owners and various users of the product.
With petrol and diesel prices constantly on the rise, it is very important that you make the most of every drop of fuel so that you can save yourself some money.
The fuel shortage, coupled with the scarcity of new and old naira notes, has caused untold hardship to citizens, paralyzing economic activities across the country.
As a result, protests have erupted in several states and cities of the federation, with citizens lamenting the shortage of twins and its impact on their businesses and daily lives.
The PUNCH reported that the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari, has assured Nigerians that the persistent fuel scarcity will ease next week.
He, however, said that he cannot guarantee that the queues at gas stations will disappear, adding that there will be a significant improvement in a week.
He said: “Now within the next week, I’m not saying you’re going to have zero tails over the next week, no, because there are a lot of things outside of our control and of course market forces will determine some of those issues.
“But I think we’re going to see a substantial, relative easing compared to today in the coming week.”
Below are some of the things to do to save fuel for your car during the fuel shortage.
Maintenance and upkeep of your car
Making sure your vehicle is in perfect mechanical condition is vital to ensuring your fuel economy is as good as it can be.
Make sure your vehicle’s engine is serviced regularly and according to the manufacturer’s schedules. Using the correct parts, fluids and lubricants will make your vehicle run better and more efficiently than one that doesn’t. It will also be more reliable.
Maintain a smooth speed
When the lights turn green, don’t hit the accelerator and rev up as fast as physically possible.
One of the mistakes that drivers make is that they accelerate quickly and slam on the brakes to get over the bump.
Don’t accelerate quickly and then slam on the brakes to get over the bump. Be sure to maintain a steady 15-20 mph unless your car is particularly low or the bumps are exceptionally high.
Use of air conditioning
As a general rule, anything that drains your car battery significantly is also a drain on your car’s fuel tank. This is because it uses the alternator to keep the battery charged, which is powered by the engine, which needs fuel to run.
Air conditioning is one of the things that increases fuel consumption by up to seven percent in the city. At higher speeds, the effect is less noticeable, and using the air conditioning at highway speeds is more efficient than having the windows down because of the drag that is created.
Do it without extra weight
The weight of your car also determines how much fuel it will use.
Unnecessary clutter is a big culprit, but simply clearing out what’s in the back seat and trunk can also have a positive impact.
Monitor your speed
Always be sure to monitor and be aware of your speed level. It’s a safe practice and can also benefit you in reducing fuel consumption.
Drivers must obey the speed limit at all times to avoid breaking the law, but saving money is another good reason to do so.
Performance of your tires
Without a doubt, your tires are one of the things that connect your vehicle to move.
Therefore, it is important to take your performance seriously.
Having your vehicle’s tires inflated to the correct pressure has a significant impact on your vehicle’s fuel economy.
Underinflated tires can have a detrimental effect on your mpg by up to 2.5 percent.
It’s also important to know that the less time you spend braking and accelerating, the less fuel you’ll use.
Additional tips include proper use of gears and turning off the engine when not in use.
As the fuel shortage lasts, you can save fuel and also the number of times you visit the gas station to buy the product.
