While modern cars have all sorts of technology and systems that help improve fuel efficiency, classic cars generally don’t. The truth is that some older vehicles can be real gas guzzlers and that can add a huge premium on your running costs.
So what can you do? Well, there are quite a few things that boost fuel performance which are low cost and easy to achieve. Here, are some of the tips our team at White’s Bodyworks in East Sussex managed to come up with:
Classic cars are sometimes left for special occasions which means that they don’t get driven very often. This can mean parts get seized up and the engine works less efficiently.
Get into the habit of taking your much-loved vehicle out regularly and turning the engine over and you should see a slight but perceptible improvement in fuel efficiency.
As with any car, good maintenance is key to better fuel efficiency. For classic cars, regular servicing is key to not only spotting potential problems but for keeping everything running smoothly.
Cleaning or replacing the spark plugs, replacing oil and air filters and checking the suspension are just a few things you can do to help keep your car in tip-top condition. A wheel alignment check can also make a difference.
Particularly for classic cars, an engine tune-up is vital for efficient operation and extending the lifespan of your vehicle. This goes a little deeper than your average service and includes things like tuning and balancing that carburettor, converting your car to electronic ignition and replacing worn parts.
Classic car engine tuning needs to be carried out by qualified mechanics such as the team at White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex.
For many, this can defeat the object of buying a classic car but modifying the engine and updating components to more modern ones can certainly improve fuel efficiency.
Unless you are a qualified mechanic, however, you should do this working with your local garage to ensure that what you are doing is both possible and safe to do.
There are also some simple things you can do yourself without visiting your local garage. The first of these is ensuring that your tyres are inflated properly, something which reduces rolling resistance on the road and means your engine doesn’t have to work so hard.
Properly inflated wheels also increases the lifespan of your tyre tread, saving you a little extra money.
How we drive also affects fuel efficiency. Simply put, going too fast or accelerating too quickly burns more fuel. Getting into the habit of accelerating gradually works better and avoiding sudden braking can make a small but significant difference to fuel economy.
Adding a fuel treatment to your petrol tank can also improve efficiency but is worthwhile talking this through with your garage before you do it with your classic car. Deposits can build up in the fuel tank over time and additives such as BG44K are specially designed to break these down.
Finally, one simple way to improve fuel efficiency is to have a lighter vehicle. Our simple tip is don’t overload the boot if you want more miles per gallon.
If you want to improve the fuel efficiency of your classic car, why not contact our specialist team at White’s Bodyworks in East Sussex for some specialist advice?
