The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority released new fuel prices on June 14. The new prices which will run until July 14 saw petroleum increase by Ksh.77 cents while the cost of diesel remained the same.
Kenyan motorists have developed certain habits that according to motor maintenance expert John Obonyo, increase the rate of fuel consumption of cars.
Some of the practises include:
1. Fueling in Little Amounts.
The majority of motorists opt to spend Ksh500 and Ksh1000 daily, which according to the current fuel prices (Ksh.127.14 for petrol and Ksh.107.66) amounts to 4 to 8 litres of fuel. Obonyo says that part of this fuel is taken up by the reserve tank and the rest is used up in the running of the vehicle. This calls for the car owner to refuel every morning, and on occasions of heavy business, twice a day.
Obonyo also confirmed that vehicles running on half and full-tank consume less as enough as the fuel taken up by the reserve tank occurs once, compared to daily for the person who puts in less amount of fuel.
2. Driving Too Fast or Too Slow
Driving at a speed above 100km/hr increases the amount of fuel consumption as the engine makes more revolutions per minute as the vehicle becomes less efficient as the vehicle battles drag at a high speed.
Contrary to what many may think, driving at lower gears also consumes more fuel as the vehicle requires more power to run components such as air conditioning, water pump and other components in the engine.
Motorists are advised to drive between 60-100km per hour to use optimum amounts of fuel.
3. Engine Idling
Idling mostly occurs during traffic jams and stops. This is when the engine is running but the vehicle is not using it.
An idling 1500cc engine consumes about 0.6litres of fuel per hour. Car owners are advised to switch off their engines when in heavy traffic. Alternatively, they should turn off their air conditioning as the ac consumes more when the vehicle is not in motion.
4. Buying Adulterated Fuel
Adulterated fuel is which an inferior quality of fuel products is added to, contaminating and weakening the fuel. Often, it involves adding kerosene or diesel to petrol. Adulteration increases the volatility rate of fuel, which means the majority of the fuel will be lost through evaporation.
It also causes increased emissions, damage of engine parts and loss of revenue
5. Ignorance at Filling Stations
There has been a rise in cases of motorists filling their tanks with the wrong type of fuel. Petrol is lighter and burns faster than diesel. A petrol engine would cause a struggle in the circulation by the fuel pump causing clogging of fuel injectors, causing the engine to lock.
If this occurs, motorists are advised to completely drain the engine as soon as possible and then refill with the correct fuel.
Motorists are also advised to counter check that the fuel lids are tightly fit. This is because petrol and diesel easily evaporate when exposed to high temperatures.
6. Overloading
Overloading your vehicles with passengers or goods piles unnecessary strain on the engine.
In addition, the vehicle requires more fuel which is used to generate power used to overcome the friction exerted by the load when stationary.
