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Mazda Service Perth Driver Advice: Explaining Fuel Efficiency
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As drivers, we often hear about the various merits of fuel efficiency. This is a very common term used to sell cars, but in reality, most people have no idea what it actually means. In this article we will take a look at what fuel efficiency is and some factors that can affect it on the road.
The Basics
At a very basic level fuel efficiency refers to the amount of distance that you could travel on a certain amount of fuel. In the following example let’s take a look at two cars, Car 1 and Car 2.
Car 1
Average annual driving distance: 14,750km
Fuel economy: 4L/100km
Litres of fuel required: 590L
Annual fuel cost @$1.25/L: $737.50
Car 2
Average annual driving distance: 14,750km
Fuel economy: 5L/100km
Litres of fuel required: 737L
Annual fuel cost @$1.25/L: $921.25
Car 2 has only a 1L difference in fuel efficiency compared to Car 1, but the owner of Car 2 will need to use 147L more fuel and spend $183.75 more than the owner of Car 1. As you can see, even a 1L difference in fuel economy can have a massive impact on the annual fuel costs for your car.
What Could Qualify as Fuel Efficient?
Any fuel efficiency figure of less than 6L/100km could be considered to be a good number. The first reference you need to look at is the litres per 100km presented above as 6L/100km. Essentially, this is telling you how much fuel (6L) you will need to use to cover 100 km of distance. This assumes that you’re driving in a fuel efficient manner and driving at higher speeds will lower the fuel efficiency.
Which is Best, Petrol or Diesel?
Petrol is the most popular fuel choice in Australia, but diesel is catching up fast, and diesel vehicle sales have nearly doubled in the last ten years alone. A diesel engine is generally more fuel efficient than a petrol engine, and this is why a diesel vehicle is usually more expensive. In the past diesel engines lagged significantly, but turbocharges can add a lot of torque, and they can even shift through gear faster than petrol engines and lower revs. There is also LPG to consider, this fuel option can be cheaper, but this is offset by the need to fuel the vehicle more often. If you’re seriously interested in fuel efficiency, go for a modern diesel engine.
If they are looking for a Mazda service, Perth based drivers should get in touch with us here at Melville Mazda. We are your local Mazda service centre, we offer a comprehensive servicing experience at reasonable prices, and we only ever use genuine or approved Mazda Parts. Perth drivers can learn more by visiting our website or give us a call. We will be happy to arrange a service appointment for you and look forward to answering any further questions that you may have.