Ford Fiesta : Mommy Bloggers FuelSave Challenge

Manila Philippines, May 15, 2012 – This is the first time I was invited to a driving challenge and I was so honored to be the selected mommy bloggers to participate. Getting the change to drive  around Makati, Rockwell and BGC Taguig area with the New Ford Fiesta.

The Mommy Bloggers FuelSave Challenge consist of 4 team with 2 participants. Every mommy is required to have a driver’s license to be able to participate. The objective of the challenge is how mommies like us budget our time and money to do errands when using the car. We needed to make a list to do and plan the perfect route that would best save time and fuel during the trip.

 

Ms. Anika of Ford Philippines explains to us the mechanics of the Mommy challenge.

 

Challenge Mechanics:

 

Our task is to plan, buy and prepare a birthday party for 10 kids with the budget of P1,500. This includes the food, decoration and parking fees going around the Metro using Ford Fiesta. We are needed to make a stop over to every location and have a photo-op within the area. The last stop is that we need to stop over at the SHELL station so they could check our reading with our fuel consumption and trip we made.

 

At the end we are all tallied by factors like time, budget, fuel efficiency and presentation. Every team won corresponding prizes that every one of us never got home empty-handed.

It was fun-filled event and got the chance to drive the New Ford Fiesta around the Metro is one great experience for me. I hope to get invited again and to be able to try out other Ford Philippines vehicles. It really pays of to plan and budget before heading out. Practical mommies meaning happy family.

 

There are some FUEL SAVING TIPS FROM SHELL AND FORD

 

Fuel and lubricant

 

Fuel matters – All fuels are not the same. Your fuel economy can be improved through a combination of good driving habits and using the right fuel. When combined with the Shell FuelSave Tips, Shell fuels with Fuel Economy Formula (such as Shell FuelSave) can help you reduce your consumption and fuel costs by helping you get more out of every tank. Ford recommends a fuel with 93 RON such as Shell FuelSave Unleaded for the Fiesta.

 

Use the correct oil – Always use the recommended grade of motor oil. Using the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant can improve fuel efficiency. Higher quality motor oils such as Shell Helix Ultra E can also help your engine operate more efficiently. Ford recommends the use of a semi-synthetic oil such as Shell Helix Ultra E for the Fiesta.

 

Vehicle maintenance

 

Tune and service your engine and follow the guidance in your vehicle handbook – A well-tuned engine can improve fuel economy, so change your oil and follow your car manufacturer’s recommendation on servicing. For example, replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel economy and will help protect your engine. The Ford Fiesta’s standard service interval is 10,000kms which is best in its class.

 

Keep your tyres at the right pressure – Correctly inflated tyres are safer and last longer. A tyre that is under inflated by 10% can reduce fuel economy. An under or over inflated tyre is also more susceptible to failing. The Ford Fiesta’s standard tire pressure is 32 PSI.

Warning lights matter– the various lights and alerts signal the need for attention in critical areas such as oil pressure and fuel levels, engine temperature and steering system issues. Yellow means drive with caution and seek assistance at the nearest service centre. Red means stop immediately.

Choosing the right vehicle– Driving? Make sure you have a vehicle that’s up to the challenge. The All-New Ford Fiesta, with its stylish design is the perfect partner for your daily drive. Loaded with smart technology that keeps you connected and safe, the Ford Fiesta is also fuel efficient and worry-free to maintain.

After Sales Program– Choose a car and dealership that provides a comprehensive vehicle maintenance program. For example, the Ford After-Sales program offers 24-hour roadside assistance to Ford car owners and a 24-hour parts assistance program.

 

Driving style and behaviour

 

Drive smoothly – Aggressive driving can use more fuel than smooth driving. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as smooth as possible. The Ford Fiesta is equipped with the PowerShift which is a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. PowerShift improves fuel efficiency by as much as 10% when compared to a conventional automatic transmission.

Use higher gears and avoid over revving – The higher gear you drive in, the lower your engine speed is, which can improve fuel efficiency. So change up a gear whenever you can, without labouring the engine. Change gear in good time when you pull away or when you’re accelerating. Never ‘redline’ the rev counter. Ford recommends a drive of 60-80kph (1,500-2,000 rpm) for the most fuel-efficient drive.

 

Conserve momentum and keep your distance – Think ahead when you’re driving. For example, slow down early to let traffic lights change, rather than stopping completely, or speed up a little before you reach the foot of a hill. Leave a sensible distance between yourself and the car ahead to give you ample time to brake evenly.

 

Avoid excess idling – Idling gets you nowhere but still burns fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue, or waiting for someone, until you need it. As a rule if you stop for over 10 seconds, switch off your engine.

Avoid high speeds – The faster you go the more wind resistance you’ll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed. Driving just a few miles per hour under the motorway or national speed limit can improve fuel economy. So keep it slow.

 

Use air conditioning sparingly – Air conditioning puts added strain on the engine and uses fuel to operate, so limit use to particularly hot days. On high temperate days consider using the fan instead.

 

Keep the windows closed – Wind blowing through an open window will slow you down.

 

The journey

 

Plan trips carefully and avoid the rush hour – Cutting down on the time spent in the car is the easiest way to conserve fuel. To reduce driving time, combine all your short trips and errands into a single journey. Plus, if you can travel outside of peak times, you’ll spend less time stuck in traffic and consume less fuel as a result.

 

Avoid carrying excess weight – You may be surprised, but every extra pound or kilogram matters and affects your fuel efficiency. So keep your boot and back seat clear of unnecessary items that just add weight to your vehicle (e.g. golf clubs).

 

Take the roof rack off – If you’re not using your roof rack then remove it. They affect the aerodynamic efficiency of your vehicle and create drag, reducing fuel economy.

 

Cor

About Cor

I am a single mom of all boys. I love cars, food, traveling and anything in between.