With the increasing prices of fuel, many motorists are opting for fuel efficient cars in a bid to reduce their expenditure amidst the tough economic times.
The option of energy saving cars could rise in the coming year after the government announced that plans were underway to do away with fuel subsidies that has cushioned Kenyans from high fuel prices.
However, with the increasing demand for fuel efficient cars, motorists tend to make mistakes that see them spending more than earlier intended.
Here are 7 common mistakes motorists make when purchasing energy efficient cars;
1. Size
While purchasing energy efficient cars, motorists tend to choose big cars due to the demand for more space. However, these vehicles consume more fuel compared to the small-sized ones.
It is, therefore, advisable to choose a smaller car when purchasing a vehicle to save on the cost of fuel.
Nonetheless, the choice of car's size varies depending on the purpose intended and the terrain among other factors.
Smaller cars also guarantee that lighter weight of vehicles which is also fuel saving.
2. Horse Power
Additionally, just like the car size, the bigger the car engine, the more a motorist will spend on fuel. Horse power refers to the amount of energy a car produces and this influences the overall performance.
For example, vehicles with higher horse power will accelerate more and this can be attractive to a motorist who loves speed. However, it becomes detrimental to motorists who want to save energy.
3. Car Features
Choosing a fuel saving vehicle can at times call on motorists to make tough choices as they may be forced to forgo some features that may be considered luxurious.
Some of the features include air conditioners, remote car starters, and turbo engines.
In cases where motorists opt for turbocharged engines, they tend to pay more for fuel because turbos increase the power of the engine.
Additionally, it is advisable to choose cars with economical air conditioners because air conditioners play part in the fuel consumption. This mostly applies to motorists who have to use air conditioners especially during traffic snarl-ups.
In the event of having air conditioners, a motorist can also opt to roll down the windows when driving rather than having the air conditioners on.
Also, car features that can save on the cost of fuel include sun roofs, and tinted windows among others.
4. Gears
Just like car features, gears play part in determining the fuel consumption of a car.
Motorists are advised to opt for cars with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which provides a wider range of gears and makes the engine more efficient hence making the fuel consumption low.
5. Terrain
When purchasing a vehicle, it is important to consider the terrain and the type of road which will be used.
Additionally, the drive train of vehicles should be a factor when considering the type of vehicle to purchase. For example, Front-Wheel Drive (FWDs) vehicles are more efficient in conserving fuel as compared to Four-Wheel vehicles popularly known as 4x4s.
6. Fuel types
Vehicles that use petrol consume more fuel compared to diesel vehicles. However, both fuels have environmental effects as petrol-fueled cars produce less carbon dioxide.
Diesel vehicles on the other end produce more harmful fumes which have played part in global warming.
Therefore, motorists intending to ship vehicles are required to equip themselves with Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requirements regarding the EURO IV/4 emission standards.
In April, KEBS announced that anyone importing diesel fueled vehicles has to consult them before the car is approved for importation.
7. Research
Motorists often fail to do research when buying vehicles which see them digging deeper into their pockets for maintenance among other costs.
Some of the things to consider when doing research are the type of car and the availability of spare parts. This is because vehicles whose spare parts are not readily available in the country may force the motorist to ship them and this goes against the intended purpose of saving cost.
Other factors include the durability of the vehicles as well as dependability.
