Mechanical Issues.

Hints on buying a vehicle, and tips on how to save fuel

Buying and Maintaining a vehicle: Each year in Australia 14 Million vehicle repairs are carried out in 11,000 workshops, says the pamphlet. That is a huge number of repairs, and most of these will be trouble free. For those that require follow-up assistance then this Glove-box Companion will help. It is a useful pamphlet from the Department of Fair Trading to assist you in your dealings with repairers. With some knowledge of how to deal with issue hopefully a situation can be avoided.

Another useful booklet is aimed at women, but that does no mean that men can't benefit form the information it contains. Issued by the Northern Territory Government is deals with buying and maintaining a car in the Northern Territories. The information is just as valid for some men, so don't be put off by the title. It is a mine of information, which can be applied to the vehicle, as well as the Caravan. It is called Dealing Wheeling Women's Guide it is a 10 page booklet covering Buying, Servicing, Consumer rights and remedies, and much more.

It also has contact details for mechanical courses aimed at women. Now for those men who also want to do a course, you might want to contact them, and see if they take men as well. There are also TAFE courses, and some Motoring Associations also offer courses covering simple mechanics. You are probably not looking for a new career, but some basic skills would not go astray, especially in the outback. If you have ever seen programs about Aboriginal Bush Mechanics they have some amazing skills when it comes to getting their vehicle going again. They may not be the conventional way, but if it gets you out of a bad situation, then does it really matter?

Fuel Saving tips: A caravan holiday is still one the most affordable options available, and one which allows you to go where you want, when you want, most of the time. There may be times when you will need to book in advance, especially in peak season. One of the major components of this type of holiday though is petrol prices. With the cost of fuel continuing to rise, the following tips may assist you keep those costs as low as possible:-

Reduce your speed and maintain 85 to 90 kilometres per hour for highway travelling. This is the most critical factor in reducing fuel consumption and will produce a saving of between 10% and 30% compared with 100 kilometres per hour. The lower speed will increase your safety margin, because your rig will be more controllable.

Manually change down your automatic transmission when approaching the crest of a hill, or if faced with a long climb, rather than waiting for the vehicle to automatically kick down. This option helps prevent the engine from “labouring” and is more fuel efficient.

Know the most efficient Rev Range for your engine. This is the “comfort zone” of your motor vehicle. Consult your vehicle handbook, or talk to your service manager. Some cars have a highlighted section on the dashboard tachometer; this is often between 2000 and 3000 revs. Keeping the revs within this range will produce the best fuel economy and it also helps prevent engine wear.

Don’t rule out the use of overdrive and cruise control. This would usually only be in ideal conditions when you were “coasting” on a slight decline or with a tail wind.

Consider turning off the air conditioner. Why not just wind down the windows when it is not too hot or cold. This simple action can save fuel.

Become conscious of wind directions, and strength by checking the weather forecasts. If you are going to be travelling into a howling head wind, consider staying another day, or at least reducing the distance you travel that day.

When approaching red lights slow down in advance to give the light plenty of opportunity to change to green, hopefully avoiding a “standing start”

Maintain your Vehicle with regular tune-ups for maximum engine efficiency.

Pump up the tyres on your vehicle. For towing, and allowing for the extra weight, it is suggested that an extra 10% above the manufacturers recommended normal pressure. Remember to check tyres when they are cold for a more accurate reading. Be sure to check the caravan’s tyres at the same time, and check their recommended pressure in the manual, or with the manufacturer.

Plan your trip to stay longer in one location, and unhook the caravan. This way you can drive to the local attractions without towing the caravan.

When buying petrol in larger towns, if possible do it on a Tuesday, because petrol is often cheaper on that day. I am sure the petrol companies will not admit it, but it is an observed reality. Do not risk running out in order to do this, just take opportunities if they arise.

See also 4x4 Extreme Repair, Budgeting, Calendar, Choosing a Caravan, Health, Mechanical, Mobile Communications, Motoring Associations, National Parks, News,  Packing, Planning, Preparation, Public Transport, Road Conditions, Safety, Towing Tips, and Weather.

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