Armored vehicles are essential for the safety and security of individuals and organizations in high-risk situations. There are several ways to improve the fuel efficiency of armored vehicles without compromising their safety or performance. This article will explore 13 tips for a fuel-efficient armored vehicle, from simple maintenance tasks to more significant modifications. By implementing these strategies, you can reduce your fuel costs and environmental impact while maintaining the level of protection you need.
1. Shut The Engine Whenever Stopping For More Than A Minute
Experts advise switching off a vehicle whenever stopping for more than a minute. This way, you save on gas while preventing air pollution. Vehicle experts estimate that an idling truck consumes a quarter to a half gallon every hour. Avoid putting your armored vehicle in park mode when stuck in traffic or making a call. Turning off the engine doesn’t cost a dime but saves you a lot in the long run.
2. Check The Vehicle Engine Regularly
Regular engine maintenance enables your vehicle to run efficiently, saving you money and time. Attending to a neglected vehicle and fixing a car that has failed an emission test increases fuel efficiency by over 4%. Always ensure the spark plugs and differential pressure sensors are in good working condition, and replace air and fuel filters whenever necessary.
3. Avoid Carrying Unnecessary Weight
An armored vehicle is heavy on its own. Adding more luggage to it makes it even heavier. Your vehicle consumes fuel based on how much it weighs. Meaning the more weight your car bears, the more gas it needs. Suppose you have heavy tools and luggage in your truck; consider removing them to make the vehicle more energy efficient. A small car’s gas consumption rises by at least 1% for every 25 kg of weight it bears.
4. Use AC Instead Of Lowering The Windows
Many vehicle owners love keeping the windows down whenever it’s hot. Come to think of it, who doesn’t love the cold breeze on a hot day? But do you know lowering your vehicle’s windows impacts gas consumption significantly? How? You wonder.
The air entering the vehicle slows it down, requiring more fuel. Instead of lowering the windows, consider using the AC since current car engines can facilitate air conditioning compressor function without using too much energy. This way, you can enjoy the cool air without interfering with your vehicle’s consumption.
5. Check Tire Pressure
Vehicle maintenance can go a long way toward making your armored vehicle fuel-efficient. Ensuring your vehicle’s tires have the correct pressure prevents the car from overconsuming gas. Underinflated tires sag at each other, resulting in increased rolling resistance. In such a case, the vehicle requires extra energy to facilitate the rolling resistance. It means a car with underinflated tires consumes more gas than one with adequately inflated tires.
6. Say No To Aggressive Braking
Many drivers engage in aggressive braking due to following another vehicle closely. This habit puts you at risk of hitting the front car from behind and hurts your pocket by consuming too much gas. If you’re looking forward to making your armored vehicle fuel-effective, you must avoid aggressive braking since you’ll need to accelerate later, resulting in more fuel consumption.
7. Do Not Drive Too Fast Or Too Slow
Your driving habits can either increase or reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Do you drive too fast or too slowly? When operating at high speed on a highway, your vehicle works harder to overcome the wind. In such a case, your car burns about 15% extra fuel when driving at 100 km/h. Unfortunately, moving slower doesn’t make anything better. If you decide to drive at 50 km/h, your car’s engine drops to a lower gear, using more fuel. That said, maintain a speed of 50 to 90 km/h on highways for optimal gas efficiency.
8. Cruise In A Top Gear
If your vehicle is automatic, always use the cruise control to maintain a constant speed. However, if the car is manual, use the top gear whenever necessary. Whichever the case, your vehicle’s engine undergoes fewer revolutions per minute (RPM), reducing fuel consumption.
9. Avoid Putting The Vehicle In Neutral
Unlike what many people think, putting your vehicle in neutral doesn’t save you money on energy bills. This habit puts you in danger if you must dodge an oncoming car. Instead, consider disengaging the transmission.
10. Fuel Your Car Early In The Morning Or At Night
Fuel is dispensed by volume. The fuel will be dense if you re-fill your vehicle early in the morning or late at night. It means you get more gas than you paid for—constantly re-filling the car when it’s cold instead of during the day.
11. Know Your Route
Before starting your vehicle, ensure you know where you’re going and the quickest route to your destination. Knowing where you’re going saves time and fuel going around in circles. Fortunately, you can rely on online maps to find the shortest route. Such apps also direct you toward traffic-free routes, saving you gas and time.
12. Concentrate On Octane Ratings
Whenever re-filling your truck, be selective about the gas you choose. Concentrate on the octane ratings for your car and always ensure they’re ideal for your car model. Since octane ratings refer to fuel stability, the higher the octane rating, the more resistance the gas can overcome. High-octane fuels facilitate high compression ratios and turbocharging, resulting in engine efficiency and high performance.
13. Do Away With Unnecessary Drives
Your vehicle needs fuel to run. Regardless of how you make your truck fuel-efficient, it’ll still consume gas whenever it’s moving. Avoiding unnecessary trips is among the best ways to maximize your car’s fuel consumption. If driving isn’t a must, consider alternatives like public transportation.
Conclusion
The constant rise in gas prices can significantly affect your finances within a while. Unfortunately, if you own a car, you must refuel it whenever you want to drive. While you might not be able to impact fuel prices, there are several things you can do to make your vehicle more fuel-efficient. With an efficient car, you can save on gas bills while enjoying your vehicle. Suppose you’re looking forward to maximizing your armored vehicle’s fuel consumption. Consider the tips discussed above.