See Also: Tyres & Wheels | Brakes | Engine Fluids and Filters

• Keeping your vehicle regularly serviced in accordance with your maintenance schedule ensures that items such as spark plugs, air cleaner and engine idle speed are maintained for minimal fuel consumption. It will run more efficiently, reducing fuel costs. Keeping your car’s engine in peak mechanical condition is one of the best things you can do to maintain fuel efficient performance.
• Avoid aggressive acceleration to reduce fuel consumption
• Regularly check your tyre pressures
• Don't carry heavy loads you don’t need to - a lighter vehicle is more fuel efficient
• Remove roof racks when not in use. They add aerodynamic drag, increasing fuel use
• Avoid excessive idling. If waiting to pick kids up or stopping to read a map, switch the engine off

Biofuel is a renewable fuel source that reduces pollution. Common biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is a colourless liquid (alcohol) generally produced from grain or sugar. Blending of ethanol in petrol has been suggested as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels. The Australian Federal Government currently legislates that ethanol can be added to petrol in blends up to a maximum of 10%. This is called E10. Legislation states that E10 pumps must be labelled, giving you the choice of whether or not to purchase ethanol blended fuels.

What happens when ethanol is used in non-suitable vehicles?

• There is an increased possibility of metal fuel tanks and lines corroding or rusting
• The chance of plastic fuel tanks swelling and breaking down is increased
• The possibility of plastic and rubber fuel lines deteriorating is increased
• There is a possibility of fuel injector O-rings breaking down
• Carburettor floats and seals are susceptible to deterioration
• Certain engine components may not be compatible with ethanol
• Engine management mapping parameters may not be fully compatible with E10, creating idle, driveability and starting concerns, plus hot weather performance issues