Tips Jimat Petrol

Berikut adalah antara tips-tips yang diyakini mampu menjimatkan petrol:

Semasa hidupkan enjin

Elakkan menekan minyak dengan kuat, tambahkan kelajuan secara perlahan-lahan
Berbanding menambahkan kelajuan secara perlahan-lahan, menekan minyak dengan kuat akan menyebabkan penggunaan petrol bertambah sebanyak 2 hingga 3 kali ganda. Tabiat pemandu yang kasar, contohnya menekan minyak dengan kuat atau tiba-tiba menekan brek, boleh menyebabkan penggunaan petrol bertambah sebanyak 30%. Jadi, pandulah dengan cermat untuk memastikan perjalanan yang lebih lancar dan menyenangkan sepanjang hari.

Memandu sambil memanaskan kereta

Kebanyakan kereta pada masa sekarang tidak lagi menggunakan karburetor, jadi enjin kereta tidak perlu dipanaskan sebelum berjalan. Tarikkan injap sambil membawa kereta dapat memanaskan enjin secara perlahan-lahan. Pandulah kereta dengan kelajuan yang biasa sambil memanaskan kereta anda. Selepas 1 – 2 km, enjin kereta anda akan mencapai suhu yang sesuai.

Semasa isikan minyak, jangan bertindak keterlaluan

Apabila pam minyak berhenti secara automatik, bermakna tangki minyak telah penuh dan harus alihkan muncung bagi mengelakkan lebihan pengisian. Keadaan ini samalah seperti anda dipaksa makan bila perut sudah kenyang. Minyak berlebihan akan menumpah keluar jika kereta anda berjalan di atas jalan raya yang tidak rata. Keadaan ini bukan sahaja membazirkan, malah tidak mesra alam.

Dalam perjalanan

Kekalkan jarak yang selamat dan elakkan menekan brek secara mengejut
Kelajuan kereta akan berkurangan atau berhenti jika brek ditekan, jadi enjin perlukan petrol yang lebih untuk menggerakkan semula kereta daripada gear rendah atau daripada keadaan statik.

Elakkan memecut!

Semasa di lebuh raya, anda barangkali akan menambahkan kelajuan tanpa disedari sambil menikmati keseronokan memecut yang tak terpada. Memecut bukan sahaja akan meningkatkan penggunaan petrol, malah juga akan meningkatkan risiko ditimpa kemalangan jalan raya.

Perintang

Ramai yang suka pasangkan bendera kecil atau aksesori dan kelengkapan lain pada bumbung kereta. Benda-benda seperti itu sebenarnya merupakan perintang yang akan membebankan kereta anda dan memperlambatkan kelajuan kereta anda, seterusnya menambahkan penggunaan petrol.

Elakkan kerap menekan brek

Asyik merehatkan kaki kanan anda pada brek dan menekan brek bukan sahaja menambahkan penggunaan perol, bahkan juga akan memendekkan hayat brek kereta. Keadaan ini juga akan membahayakan pemandu yang mengikut di belakang kereta anda.

Tayar lebar dan rendah lebih stabil tetapi lebih tinggi penggunaan petrol
Sesetengah pemandu suka menukar tayar lebar dan rendah yang lebih luas permukaannya demi menikmati pemanduan yang lebih stabil semasa memecut. Oleh kerana permukaan tayar yang bersentuhan dengan jalan adalah lebih luas dan menyebabkan geseran yang lebih kuat, jadi ia perlukan kuasa enjin yang lebih. Keadaan ini akan meningkatkan penggunaan petrol, khususnya bermula daripada keadaan statik.

Pengetahuan Am

Letakkan kereta di tempat berteduh

Elakkan daripada meletakkan kereta di tempat tidak berteduh. Suhu dalam kereta akan naik jika kereta terdedah di bawah bahangan matahari dalam tempoh masa yang panjang. Apabila kereta dibawa, sistem penghawa dingin mengambil masa yang lebih panjang untuk menyejukkan keadaan dalam kereta, akibatnya penggunaan petrol turut bertambah.

Jangan melengahkan penyenggaraan berkala

Penyenggaraan adalah wajar bagi setiap 5,000 atau 10,000 km, untuk memeriksa penapis minyak, bendalir, angin, bateri, penyambung CV dan sebagainya bagi membolehkan kereta anda berkeadaan optimum dan lebih menjimatkan petrol. Tekanan tayar juga mesti diperiksa supaya berkeadaan normal. Tekanan angin yang sesuai dapat menambahkan 3.3% jarak yang dijalani. Kekurangan tekanan tayar menghabiskan petrol yang banyak iaitu penggunaan petrol akan bertambah 0.4 sen bagi setiap pengurangan 1 paun tekanan angin. Lebih teruk lagi tayar mungkin akan pancit kerana terlampau panas. Jadi pemeriksaan tekanan tayar dengan kerap bukan sahaja menjimatkan wang, malah juga dapat melindungi keselamatan anda.. Tayar akan menggoncang jika tekanan tayar terlampau tinggi, ia juga akan mengakibatkan pancit dan membahayakan.

Bersihkan plag pencucuh

Karbon mungkin terkumpul pada bahagian enjin dan di sekeliling plag pencucuh jika kereta anda selalu terperangkap dalam kesesakan lalu lintas. Penimbunan karbon ini akan melemahkan proses pembakaran dan menghabiskan petrol yang lebih banyak. Jadi, plag pencucuh yang bersih boleh membantu pembakaran yang sempurna dan menjimatkan petrol.

Kurangkan penggunaan alat elektrik

Tenaga elektrik dalam kereta dihasilkan oleh generator. Semua alat elektrik dalam kereta seperti penghawa dingin, lampu, sistem penggera, stroboskop dan sebagainya, hanya akan membebankan generator. Semakin banyak tenaga elektrik diperlukan, generator perlu mengeluarkan tekanan yang lebih pada timing belt untuk menghasilkan lebih banyak tenaga elektrik. Keadaan ini sudah pasti akan menambahkan penggunaan petrol.

Kurangkan bebanan

Ramai pemandu jarang mengemaskan dan membersihkan benda-benda yang tertimbun dalam keretanya, kadang-kala mencapai 40-50kg! Lebihan berat ini bersamaan dengan membawa lebih seorang penumpang, penggunaan petrol juga akan bertambah 1-2%.

Pengubahsuaian sembarangan membazirkan petrol dan wang

Sesetengah kedai pengubahsuaian kenderaan akan menasihatkan pemilik kereta supaya menukarkan konverter katalisator. Pada halnya, pengubahsuaian sebegini hanya akan menekan ekzos lalu membebaskan lebih banyak tenaga dan menghabiskan petrol yang lebih.

Taking care of your new battery pack

Normally, a new battery pack comes in a very low charge condition and must be fully charged before use. Refer to the user manual of your portable electronic equipment for charging instructions.

A new battery pack needs to be fully charged and fully discharged or "cycled" as much as five times to condition them into performing at full capacity.

Your equipment may report a fully charge condition in as short as 10 to 15 minutes when the new battery pack is being charged for the first time. This is a normal phenomenon especially for Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad) and Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) chemistries. When this happens, remove the battery pack and let it cool down for about fifteen minutes then repeat the charging procedure.

"Conditioning" (fully discharging and then fully charging) is necessary so as to maintain the optimum performance of a battery pack, and is recommended at least once a month particularly for Ni-Cad and Ni-MH batteries. Failure to do so could result in reduced charge capacity and can significantly shorten the battery pack’s useful life. Lithium Ion batteries do not require conditioning.

It is normal for a battery pack to get warm when charging and during use. However, if the battery ack gets excessive hot, there may be a problem with the portable electronic equipment’s charging circuit and should therefore be checked by a qualified technician.

Rechargeable batteries undergo self-discharging when left unused for long periods of time. This is normal particularly in the case of Ni-MH and Li-Ion chemistries. For best results, always store a battery pack fully charged. It should be removed from the equipment and kept in a cool, dry and clean place.

The amount of runtime a battery pack produces depends on the power requirements of components in your electronic equipment. This could be the hard drive setting, screen intensity and back-lighting on notebook computers, the liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and floodlight feature in a video camcorder, or the tri-mode communications network of a cellular phone. Always refer to your equipment’s user manual for power management settings.

Battery Dont'ts

Rechargeable batteries contain a considerable amount of energy.

• DO NOT leave on charge for extended periods.
• DO NOT short circuit terminals.
• DO NOT drop or mutilate.
• DO NOT disassemble.
• DO NOT place in fire or near sources of extreme heat.
• DO NOT expose to moisture or rain.

Battery Packs Explained

In simplest terms, a rechargeable battery pack is a collection of one or more rechargeable cells , assembled together to provide power, measured in watts per hour (Whr), to a portable electronic device such as a camcorder or notebook computer.

The most common forms of rechargeable cells are the Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and recently, the Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) chemistries. Each of these rechargeable technologies provides their own distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Different Types of Rechargeable Batteries

Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad)

Ni-Cad battery is the oldest of the rechargeable chemistries used in today's portable electronic industry. Its low cost and high discharge rate capability make it suitable for low cost electronic applications like g ames and toys as well as for high discharge applications such as cordless power tools. Its low energy density (power-to-weight ratio) makes it undesirable for use in equipment such as notebooks and cellular phones. Ni-Cad has a chemistry-related problem associated with it called Memory Effect, which limits the discharge capacity of the cell if not completely discharged during each use.

Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)

Ni-MH is most commonly used in the cellular phone battery, camcorder battery, laptop battery and notebook battery. A relative of the Ni-Cad chemistry, it has improved performance in respect to the memory effect problem, increased capacity, and therefore a higher energy density than Ni-Cad. Operation of this chemistry at elevated temperatures decreases its cycle life or the number of times a cell can be charged and discharged.

Lithium-ion (Li-Ion)

The newest of the rechargeable chemistries, Li-Ion has been in mass production since 1995. With three times the voltage per cell as Nickel-based chemistries (3.6 V vs. 1.2 V), Li-Ion has a higher energy density and is therefore ideal for lightweight applications. It is currently the chemistry of choice for laptop battery, notebook battery, camcorder battery and cellular phone battery applications. Li-Ion battery has had a history of early production overheating related problems and is designed in a battery pack with a Pack Control Circuit (PCC) to protect the cells from abusive conditions such as current and voltage overcharging, high temperature, and over-discharge. The relatively high cost of Li-Ion cells combined with the need for circuitry makes the cost of Li-Ion battery packs higher than for other chemistries.

Memory Effect

Ni-Cad batteries remember how much charge was released on previous discharges. It has a tendency to release the same amount of energy with every charge/discharge cycle. If a Ni-Cad battery is always partially discharged before recharging, the usable capacity of the battery will be reduced. The Ni-MH battery is also affected by memory effect but to a lesser degree. A periodic discharge to one volt per cell or " exercise" is essential for Ni-Cad cells to prevent the building-up of memory. "Conditioning" (fully discharging and then fully charging) a battery pack also helps minimizing memory effect. Batteries can be fully discharged by disconnecting the equipment from the AC power supply and letting the equipment run on battery power until it ceases to function. Conditioning the battery once a month will keep it performing at its optimum level for a long time.

The Pack Assembly

The cells are assembled into a battery pack configuration to provide a required amount of voltage (V) and capacity (Amperes per hour - Ah) needed to operate the equipment. The cells are connected using metal strips called tabs. The number of cells needed and the size of these cells determine the size and shape of the pack. A wire lead or connector is then attached to the positive and negative terminals of the pack for connection to the electronic device. The pack can then be wrapped in heat-shrink plastic or encased in a hard plastic enclosure.

Smart Batter and Fuel Gauging

Increasingly, portable electronic equipment is becoming more complicated and power hungry. Also, users demand to know how much battery life is remaining during the use of the equipment. This has created a need for the inclusion of complex circuitry into the design and manufacture of today's battery packs (Fuel gauging is very common in the latest laptop battery, notebook battery and camcorder battery). Although it has caused an increase in the price of these battery packs, it has also improved the efficiency, prolonged the life and increased their user friendliness.

Reading the battery specifications

There are two important figures to consider in reading and understanding a battery pack’s specifications. First is the voltage of the battery pack in terms of Volt or V. Second is the capacity rating in terms of Ampere-hours (Ah) or milliamp-hours (mAh: 1mAh=0.001Ah). The voltage of the new battery pack should always match the voltage of the original battery. The higher the Ah or mAh capacity rating of the battery pack means the longer runtime and does not mean incompatibilities. Most IBI battery packs have higher Ah or mAh readings than the original, yet are manufactured up to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards.

In-Flight Charging

More passenger airline companies are providing outlets or receptacles into which passengers can plug portable electronic equipment such as notebook computers and cellular phones for recharging during flight. Our industry trade associations like the Battery Association of Japan, European Portable Battery Association, Passenger Electronic Device Association and Portable Rechargeable Battery Association have taken into account that the recharging of batteries in portable equipment while on board aircraft is not recommended. Such practice should be deferred until appropriate technical safety standards are established and that such standards are fully implemented. Intelligent Batteries Inc. advocates and favors such position and does not recommend that any battery pack product be recharged through airline in-the-seat power sources.

Safety Tips

Breakdowns

Preventive maintenance reduces the chances of a breakdown. However, the possibility cannot be overruled. It is better to be prepared.

Carry an advance-warning triangle. It can be used to warn other road users if the car is obstructing the road. Place the triangle at a distance of fifty meters behind the vehicle. In case you don't possess a warning triangle hang a piece of red cloth on the car.

Road Accidents

1. Stop your vehicle in the safest place - if possible, off the road.
2. In case someone is injured, administer first aid. Call local help and rush the injured to the nearest hospital. The effort to save the life of an accident victim should be the top priority.
3. Inform the police (no.100) as quickly as possible. It is important to give accurate details.
4. Note down the registration numbers of the other vehicles involved.
5. Inform the insurance company as per the rules.

Mechanical Failures

If the pedal brake suddenly gives way

1. Pump the brake pedal fast and strongly many times to build pressure
2. If there is an engine brake shift to a low gear.
3. Use the handbrake (or e-brake) if the vehicle does not come under control.
4. Activate the hazard lights and look out for a safe place to stop.
5. In case of a puncture or blowout hold on to the steering wheel firmly. Draw the vehicle towards the corner of the road.
6. Accelerator wire breakage may create sudden loss of acceleration. Do not brake suddenly. Draw the vehicle off the road
7. If the hood of your vehicle suddenly flies up, slow down and stop. Draw the vehicle to the roadside.
8. If you sense fire, switch off the ignition and draw the vehicle towards the side of the road. Switch on the hazard lights. Try to put out the fire by throwing sand onto it. If the fire grows, stay away from it – it could lead to an explosion. Try to find help as quickly as possible and warn others.

Driving in the rain

Losing control of your car in the wet is a frightening situation that may land you in a soup. Drive slowly and carefully to prevent skids. Steer and brake with a light touch on curves. If you want to stop, make sure that you do not brake hard or lock up the wheels, lest you end up skidding. Even if you do lose control and end up skidding, do not panic as it will only add to the trouble. Stay calm, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and steer the car carefully in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If your car is equipped with ABS then modulate the brakes as you steer the car.

Aquaplaning is another severe predicament that occurs when the water under your tires cannot drain through the tires’ grooves fast enough. The water pressure causes the car to slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road surface. At this point, your car is completely out of contact with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane, or even off the road because the car will not steer, brake or accelerate. To avoid getting yourself in such a situation, keep your tires properly inflated, maintain enough tread depth on your tires and replace them when necessary.

Slow down when on wet roads, and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you. Avoid stomping on the brakes or turning suddenly. This could throw your car into a slide. Ease off the gas pedal until the car slows down and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If your car employs ABS, use the brakes as you normally do, the ABS will take care of the rest.

Night Driving

According to a survey, death rate due to accident fatalities at night is three times more than that in the day. Here’s a few tips to drive safe at night.

There are many hazards associated with driving at night and most of us aren’t aware of ways to deal with them. The primary reason why night driving is so dangerous is darkness. Ninety percent of a driver’s reaction depends on vision which is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision are compromised after sundown. The more your age, the lesser is your viewing capability at night. A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year old. Fatigue is another major contributor towards danger when driving at night. Weariness increases reaction time and lowers concentration levels.

Alcohol plays a leading role in fatal traffic crashes, causing about half of all motor vehicle-related deaths. That makes weekend nights more dangerous. More fatal crashes take place on weekends than at any time during the week. So please, no matter how clichèd, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. There are a number of things that one can put into use to minimize the dangers of driving after dark

• Clean the headlamps, tail-lamps, indicators and windows (inside and out) regularly.
• Have your headlights properly aligned. An ill-aligned light beam will blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
• Alcohol severely impairs your driving ability. It also acts as a depressant. A single drink can induce fatigue.
• Avoid smoking when you drive. Nicotine and carbon monoxide hinder night vision.
• Being seen is as important as seeing, so switch on your headlamps even if you don’t need them. They will help other drivers see your vehicle clearly.
• Do switch to the main beam whenever in doubt about something on the road.
• Increase your ‘trailing’ distance when following a vehicle since it is difficult to judge a vehicle’ s speed and distance at night.
• When following a vehicle, make sure that you do not use high beam as it can blind the driver you’re following.
• If the oncoming traffic does not lower its beam then to avoid the glare, watch the left edge of the road and use it as a steering guide.
• Stop regularly and treat yourself to light snacks and energy drinks to maintain concentration levels. Also do a few stretching exercises to flex your body muscles.
• Twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive because your eyes are constantly adjusting to the changing and dying intensity of light which ultimately results in darkness. Practice utmost caution while driving during this period.

Drive to save fuel

Whether you drive occasionally or everyday, you can decrease the amount of fuel you use by taking the steps described below:

Driving Skills

The driving technique of the person behind the wheel is the single most important factor in determining the fuel economy of a particular car. A economy-conscious driver can achieve 30 to 50% better economy than most other drivers. You, too, can better your car’s efficiency simply by following the following instructions:

The Attitude

1. Always think about fuel economy while you drive.
2. Always drive for better fuel economy.
3. Avoid driving when you are angry or upset.
4. Use public transportation whenever possible.

The 30-second Warm Up

• Do not let your engine idle for more than 30 seconds after its initial start. Engines warm up faster when they are in motion.
• Idling for more than 30 seconds not only wastes fuel but also harms your engine, since the amount of lubricating oil being pumped to the engine’s various parts is the minimum when the engine is in neutral and idling.
• Depress the accelerator just once when needed, as unnecessary pumping wastes fuel.
• Do not rev the engine immediately before turning it off. This dumps raw fuel on the cylinder walls; washing away the protective lubricating oil film and increasing engine wear during the subsequent start. This also wastes fuel.

Avoid Fast Starts

• Jerky acceleration or fast starts can increase fuel consumption by approximately one kilometer per litre in city driving.
• Accelerate briskly but smoothly upto 50 kph, then moderately up to 65kph. At this speed, keep a steady pressure on the accelerator – just enough to maintain speed.

Drive at Moderate Speeds

• Imagine that there’s an egg that you don’t want to crush under your right foot; this will result in even better fuel savings.
• A self-imposed 80kph speed limit will save fuel.
• Driving below the indicated speed limit on highways will produce even greater fuel savings

Avoid Low Gears, Get Up To Speed Quickly

• Keep your car's speed over the 35kph mark whenever possible.
• Skip a gear (go from 1st to 3rd or 4th) if you are on a flat road or slope.
• Run through all gears quickly and gently if going uphill.
• With automatic transmission, get the car rolling, then ease up on the accelerator to let the gearbox shift to the highest possible gear ratio at that speed.

Hill-Climbing Techniques

Driving in hilly terrain consumes more fuel than driving on roads with no change of elevation. The following tips will help increase fuel economy in the hills:

• Build up speed before approaching a hill to avoid fuel-wasting hard acceleration while going up the slope.
• The momentum developed will carry the vehicle over the crest, and gravity will help the vehicle go down the other side. Do not, however, turn your engine off or leave it in neutral while going downhill, this can be dangerous.

Keep Tyre Pressure Up

Underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption significantly. Please refer to Driver Energy Tips No. 2 "Wheel Alignment and Tyre Maintenance" for more information.

Avoid Short Trips

• Distances of 1 to 8 kilometers are considered short trips to drive to.
• Short trips take their toll on fuel economy due to cold vehicle parts, cold tyres and improper engine lubrication.
• It takes approximately 25 kilometers for a vehicle to achieve fuel efficient operation.
• Avoid starting the engine until you are ready to pull out.
• Plan ahead. Combine as many shopping errands as you can into one trip.
• Try to incorporate shopping trips into your commute.
• Travel during off-peak hours when there is less traffic.
• Operating air conditioner in city traffic reduces fuel economy by approximately 9%.
• Park in the first reasonable parking space available.

How to Cope With Slow-Moving Vehicles

Some vehicles, such as tractors, street sweepers, and horse-drawn carts, cannot keep up with traffic - keep your eye out for them.


Instructions

1. Step 1

   Look for slow-moving vehicles and adjust your speed accordingly.

2. Step 2

   Keep an eye out for big rigs and small, old-fashioned cars, which often have less power on steep grades.

3. Step 3

   Be wary of oversized trucks and older vehicles when you're entering traffic; these vehicles tend to take longer to reach the speed limit so you don't want to run into the back of them in your haste to merge.

4. Step 4

   Slow down or stop for livestock on roadways. It is illegal to stampede or frighten them.