It's gone!

The awaited subsidy removal has finally come, and if you are reading this from my home country Naija you now buy PMS between ₦488 and ₦600 (June 1st 2023). Here are some tips to ensure you make the use of every last drop of PMS economically and efficiently.

Let's split the matter into parts so we don't loose focus.


A. Engine Electronics

* Buy a personal scan tool.

Buy a portable scanner so check for errors when they appear, if you don't know what the codes mean, enter into cartalk, post the codes and we will guide accordingly.

Some vehicles have had their warning lights removed by technicians and card dealers, this is the time to restore and scan.

* Scan code results.

Scan code results that have to do with the following will seriously affect your vehicle fuel efficiency by as much as 40-50percent.

Engine running rich or lean codes
02 sensor codes
P0128 coolant threshold
All timing related codes
Evaporative emission codes
Catalytic converter codes
Engine misfires
MAF codes
Exhaust gas recirculation codes
Variable timing codes
VTech codes
Boost pressure codes

There are more, but these are the common ones. Have them solved properly (not by clearing code) and you will save a lot on petrol.


B. Suspension

* Tyre pressures : keep tyre pressures at recommended levels (check drivers door or fuel tank cover) vehicles with low tyre pressures, consume more fuel than vehicles with the right tyre pressures.

* Wheel alignment, Ensure your alignment is on point, when you have front wheels fighting with them selves and asphalt, it causes unwanted drag, which results in more fuel consumption.

* Keep windows up when on long trips , this will reduce the amount of wind resistance the car makes, less drag more savings on fuel.

* Aerodynamics, the abuse of vehicle suspension in the name of raising vehicle height usually has consequences when done poorly, when you have the head up and tail down, you are fighting to get through the air, and constantly loosing efficiency to wind resistance. Same thing happens when you load 4 adults at the back and fill the trunk with load

* Sticky brakes . brake binding is a situation where the vehicle is being held down by the brake pads without application of the brake pedal. Could be caused by work done on the brake switch near brake pedal, rusted calliper pins rusted calliper prisons, faulty abs pump. Whatever the case, if you get home, splash some water on each wheel, if you have instant steam from any wheel it is binding and should be checked .

C. Service and Maintenance


* Filters sparkplugs and MAF.

Some cars never get a replacement engine air filter all their days in Nigeria , replace your engine air filter with each oil change , clean and re gap your sparkplugs to the required spark gap.

Carefuly clean MAF sensor with the required MAF cleaner, please do not do MAF cleaning unless you are sure it is required, it is not an item to clean regularly.

* Fuel Pressure

We don't have very clean petrol, so if your car begins to feel lazy especially after a long trip, might be time to check the fuel filter and strainer inside the fuel tank , if clogged replace, you will get better miles per gallon. In most vehicles, low fuel pressure will not show up as an error when scanned.

* Blocked Exhaust system.

The inability of exist gasses to quickly leave the engine into the atmosphere, will cost you more on petrol.

Some vehicles are naturally predisposed to catalyst blockage e.g Honda , Acura , Ford , Kia , Hyundai. If your vehicle is one of those you might want to get it checked out, also if your catalyst has been stolen in the past and was refilled will wire mesh or a catalyst clone which also gets blocked easily you should have it checked.

Know your vehicle, if a vehicle starts dragging, something is off and should be checked . Blockages in exhaust in exhaust systems will not show up on scan results for most vehicles, it takes a smart tech/owner to detect it in early stages.

Bad Driving habits.


* Vehicle idling
Starting the car and leaving it to idle for 10-15 mins before leaving the house.... It's gone! Start the car, put it in drive and drive , don't waste 10-15mins of fuel.

* Aggressive Driving

Let me tell a short story, on my 1.4L 2009 Kia Rio I traveled from Lagos to Benin on 18Litres driving at a max speed of 100km/h I filled up in Benin to confirm.

Repeat of same journey took 30L driving at a max of 140km/h and aggressively.

Slow consistent driving , and not powering uphill will save you a lot on petrol, avoid the quick races, remember that for each race you win or loose, you lost about ₦500 , slap the throttle pedal gently .

* Google maps .

I use Google maps for the shortest of distances, I always avoid traffic and choose the best routes, learn to use Google maps with the traffic prompts on so you can make better decisions. Also teach your drivers to use the map too.


* Avoid fuel additives.

Those cans they sell in the petrol station will not get you any better MPG, use the money to buy petrol, it will also not keep your system clean.

If there is any more I will update here.

Update!

There is a difference between a full tank you the owner buys, and a full tank a third party buys, temptation to steal is now higher, stop sending 3rd parties to buy full tank, you get cheated easily, do not let the full tank needle be your guide, a 100l tank will get to the full needle with 100L and also with 93L you could be loosing 5-8L of fuel (2500-4000) on every fill up when you send a 3rd party.

Note your mileage when you drop off vehicle with a third party e.g, mechanic, painter etc. It is very common for a technician to use the vehicle with the most amount of fuel to run errands in the shop .

Waiting boss

Following. I need every bit of info as I managed to get fuel 250 per liter 2days ago. I full my tank and I wan use the fuel travel back to Lagos from Saki, Oyo state..

Am a Piano

I will find one Hyundai i20 to buy.

Or one those small Silver Suzuki cockroach cars that they use to cause accidents all over Lagos.

nurey:
Am a Piano

Don't worry. By the time you buy fuel of 600 per liter and you get stuck in traffic of 5 hours, you will turn to talking drum.

OkayDaddy:


Don't worry. By the time you buy fuel of 600 per liter and you get stuck in traffic of 5 hours, you will turn to talking drum.

OkayDaddy:


Don't worry. By the time you buy fuel of 600 per liter and you get stuck in traffic of 5 hours, you will turn to talking drum.

1. Everybody doesn't live in Lagos

2. I don't Drive rather I ride

3. Who tell you say i even own a car?

Nice one oo.

Let me add a little,

When on a trip always use cruise control, and between 70km - 100km is one of the best range of speed to save on gas.

Gazzuzz I need your anointed hands on my car. Organize free servicing for your fans nau 😩

With respect to the topic, my contribution is this:

1. Remove all those nonsense spoilers that you attach to the car yourself. They cause drag and make your engine work harder than normal.

2. If you use a manual car, learn to drive on neutral while going downhill.

Manuella4ace:

Nice one oo.

Let me add a little,

When on a long trip always use cruise control, and between 70km - 100km is one of the best range of speed to save on gas.

Cruise Control on Naija Pothole infested road

Doing 70km/hr on a highway is as bad, if not worse than overspeeding.. In some countries, it's an offence to drive so slow on a highway.

Op has hit the salient points...

Secondary points are that Naija petrol burns very fast, compared to that of some other countries.... So no go get high BP trying to get factory mpg on Naija fuel.. Then mix into the mayhem stations that sell fuel mixed with kerosene or even water , or those who outrightly adjust their pump to cheat....

Leaky injectors and faulty fuel lines can also negatively impact fuel consumption...

Lastly, it can be quite an expensive habit if one gets too obsessed with maintaining vehicle fuel economy.... Money wey u no wan spend for fuel na im u go carry dash Mecho and parts seller.. Mechanics don't work for free.. Parts aren't free either...Checking a little this and rechecking a minor that can pile up a quite hefty repair bill, if one isn't careful.. Besides, there is also the risk that while trying to fix something minor, something major might get damaged.. Dat one na the handiwork of most naija mechos.. Repair one, spoil four... Next thing you go hear na "Oga na so you bring the moto come here"... God no go gree make mecho wey dey try trace 02 sensor wiring go trace and join the one wey go fry ECU ... Then you will wish you had instead, simply bought fuel and kept moving... Which is exactly what you should have done in the first place.

E get some minor tins wey e go better make you just dey drive the moto dey go laidat.. If you no wan dey buy fuel, buy bicycle, ladies motorcycle, or trek

buygala:


Cruise Control on Naija Pothole infested road

Doing 70km/hr on a highway is as bad, if not worse than overspeeding.. In some countries, it's an offence to drive so slow on a highway.

Op has hit the salient points...

Secondary points are that Naija petrol burns very fast, compared to that of some other countries.... So no go get high BP trying to get factory mpg on Naija fuel.. Then mix into the mayhem stations that sell fuel mixed with kerosene or even water , or those who outrightly adjust their pump to cheat....

Leaky injectors and faulty fuel lines can also negatively impact fuel consumption...

Lastly, it can be quite an expensive habit if one gets too obsessed with maintaining vehicle fuel economy.... Money wey u no wan spend for fuel na im u go carry dash Mecho and parts seller.. Mechanics don't work for free.. Parts aren't free either...Checking a little this and rechecking a minor that can pile up a quite hefty repair bill, if one isn't careful.. Besides, there is also the risk that while trying to fix something minor, something major might get damaged.. Dat one na the handiwork of most naija mechos.. Repair one, spoil four... Next thing you go hear na "Oga na so you bring the moto come here"... God no go gree make mecho wey dey try trace 02 sensor wiring go trace and join the one wey go fry ECU .

E get some minor tins wey e go better make you just dey drive the moto dey go laidat.. If you no wan dey buy fuel, buy bicycle, ladies motorcycle, or trek

70km - 100km.
And don't forget we're trying to make our vehicle run efficiently, I reside in anambra state, and I do use cruise control on daily basis while driving, irrespective of the potholes you mentioned, yes potholes dey but e no full all the road for Nigeria nah, try apply wisdom when needed.
I never even mentioned highway, but still on still excessive speeding will affect your fuel economy
Thank you

Manuella4ace:


70km - 100km.
And don't forget we're trying to make our vehicle run efficiently, I reside in anambra state, and I do use cruise control on daily basis while driving, irrespective of the potholes you mentioned, yes potholes dey but e no full all the road for Nigeria nah, try apply wisdom when needed.
Thank you

That fact that you think doing 70km/hr on a highway for fuel gain is legit shows what kind of driver you are.. If you wan save fuel, simply park moto insread of constituting nuisance to other road users because you wan save 3 litres of fuel.

So you dey use cruise control for Anambra... That isn't important.. I can also use cruise control in my street or even inside Shoprite car park . The koko is can you use it in that Anambra long enough for it to give you any serious mpg gains?

For that road wey you dey use am, shey no pothole, no police and Army checkpoint (at least I know Anambra is filled with checkpoints like a war zone), no FRSC, no known and unknown Gunmen, no slow-moving trailer, no accident by Peace Mass, no local government thugs blocking road asking for fee for God-knows-what, no road-bump or those slowing down traffic for the safety of those conducting burial by the roadside, no erosion .. . The same Anambra wey me I know.. Please tell us one highway in Anambra where one can drive for at least 30 minutes without encountering any of the above mentioned.. ...

buygala:


That fact that you think doing 70km/hr on a highway for fuel gain is legit shows what kind of driver you are.. If you wan save fuel, simply park moto insread of constituting nuisance to other road users because you wan save 3 litres of fuel.

So you dey use cruise control for Anambra... For how many minutes in average? . For that road wey you dey use am, no pothole, no police and Army checkpoint (at least I know Anambra is filled with checkpoints like a war zone), no FRSC, no known and unknown Gunmen, no slow-moving trailer, no accident by Peace Mass, no local government thugs blocking road asking for fee for God-knows-what, no road-bump or those slowing down traffic for the safety of those conducting burial by the roadside, no erosion .. . The same Anambra wey me I know ... Say something else bros

Oga go sit down, try apply wisdom when needed, we still dey talk on how to run your vehicle efficiently.
If you like you can use cruise control inside holdup or check point, it's your choice.
600 per liter go teach you how to economize.

GAZZUZZ:
Bad Driving habits.


* Vehicle idling
Starting the car and leaving it to idle for 10-15 mins before leaving the house.... It's gone! Start the car, put it in drive and drive , don't waste 10-15mins of fuel.

* Aggressive Driving

Let me tell a short story, on my 1.4L 2009 Kia Rio I traveled from Lagos to Benin on 18Litres driving at a max speed of 100km/h I filled up in Benin to confirm.

Repeat of same journey took 30L driving at a max of 140km/h and aggressively.

Slow consistent driving , and not powering uphill will save you a lot on petrol, avoid the quick races, remember that for each race you win or loose, you lost about ₦500 , slap the throttle pedal gently .

* Google maps .

I use Google maps for the shortest of distances, I always avoid traffic and choose the best routes, learn to use Google maps with the traffic prompts on so you can make better decisions. Also teach your drivers to use the map too.


* Avoid fuel additives.

Those cans they sell in the petrol station will not get you any better MPG, use the money to buy petrol, it will also not keep your system clean.

Thanks Uncle Gayzzuzz

Manuella4ace:


Oga go sit down, try apply wisdom when needed, we still dey talk on how to run you vehicle efficiently.

You are the one who needs to sit down, Oga Cruise Control in Anambra....

buygala:


That fact that you think doing 70km/hr on a highway for fuel gain is legit shows what kind of driver you are.. If you wan save fuel, simply park moto insread of constituting nuisance to other road users because you wan save 3 litres of fuel.

So you dey use cruise control for Anambra... That isn't important.. I can also use cruise control in my street or even inside Shoprite car park . The koko is can you use it in that Anambra long enough for it to give you any serious mpg gains?

For that road wey you dey use am, shey no pothole, no police and Army checkpoint (at least I know Anambra is filled with checkpoints like a war zone), no FRSC, no known and unknown Gunmen, no slow-moving trailer, no accident by Peace Mass, no local government thugs blocking road asking for fee for God-knows-what, no road-bump or those slowing down traffic for the safety of those conducting burial by the roadside, no erosion .. . The same Anambra wey me I know.. Please tell us one highway in Anambra where one can drive for at least 30 minutes without encountering any of the above mentioned.. ...

Baba the little you can do to drive efficiently please do it.

buygala:


You are the one who needs to sit down, Oga Cruise Control in Anambra....

Am using it, I no dey tell you say dem say, and it's helping.

buygala:


You are the one who needs to sit down, Oga Cruise Control in Anambra....

At least make you rest

I think using eco mode or drive mode will save a reasonable amount of fuel. This might not be really significant but it make a difference.

My point.

Buy a bicycle and manoeuvre with it within your city

Not always car

1Alex:
My point.

Buy a bicycle and manoeuvre with it within your city

Not always car

Read the topic
How To Make Your Vehicle Run More Efficiently (post Subsidy Removal Tips)

So give tips that will help, if you're a bicycle specialist go to bicycle thread and give your tips there.
Thank you

Manuella4ace:

At least make you rest

Please tell us one highway in Anambra where one can drive for at least 30 minutes without encountering any of the above mentioned.. ...

If after highlighting this part of my earlier post, you still don't get the point, I leave you with God.

Manuella4ace:


Read the topic
How To Make Your Vehicle Run More Efficiently (post Subsidy Removal Tips)

So give tips that will help, if you're a bicycle specialist go to bicycle thread and give your tips there.
Thank you

Vehicle will run more efficiently (use less fuel) if it's driven less..And it will be driven less if owner cycles some distances instead of driving.


The person you quoted is on point.. It's you whose brain is on that your Anambra Express using Cruise Control inside Army Checkpoint.

buygala:


Vehicle will run more efficiently (use less fuel) if it's driven less..And it will be driven less if owner cycles some distances instead of driving.


The person you quoted is on point.. It's you whose brain is on that your Anambra Express using Cruise Control inside Army Checkpoint.

I will still tell you, I use cruise control on daily basis, and it helps. I even provided you with pix so you see am using it, and you're here counting expressway?
Baba, I rest my case.

nymphomaniac:
Gazzuzz I need your anointed hands on my car. Organize free servicing for your fans nau 😩

With respect to the topic, my contribution is this:

1. Remove all those nonsense spoilers that you attach to the car yourself. They cause drag and make your engine work harder than normal.

2. If you use a manual car, learn to drive on neutral while going downhill.

Nice one

omooo. GAZZUZZ. It's people using generators that need tips at the moment. Because your tips no reach bus, okada and keke drivers and many of their hearts wicked pass Ahab own.