Gone are the days when driving and owning a car is  a liability, as a matter of fact, this also throws Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”’s  theory out the window when he said something along the same lines. But I digress… Anyway, that won’t be the case not if Shell FuelSave have anything to do with owning a car that is. First, they launched a series of fuel saving fuel like the RON 95 and RON75, and then they run competitions to teach people how to save with just one litre of petrol; actually the best way is  to own a Citibank Shell card for cash rebate or else make sure you swipe your  Bonuslink  card everytime to get some points rebate in kind back.

But to top it all off, now  till end February 2009, Shell is giving away RM100,000 to a few lucky winners. All they have to do is just pump minimum RM30 worth of petrol  to be entitled to a form, fill it up (this is a super easy one) and attach receipt and put it in the box prepared at most Shell petrol stations. Too much hassle …too  lazy, can win meh…really has anyone won yet?  I mean what does it take- just 5 minutes everytime and if you  need some motivation, immediately after reading this article just grab the nearest pen and paper and, get right down to do your wish list, call it “What will I do when I win RM100,000….” and folks  make it a meaningful one. You could surprise yourself. Seriously  RM100,000 could probablychange a lot of things in your  life!

(Week 1 to 6 Shell RM100, 000 Weekly Cash Contest Winners’ Prize Preso : (L-R) Syahrul Hafizi Bin Amer (Week 3), Chan Siew Poh (Week 4), Alias Bin Ali (Week 5), En Azman Ismail (Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd), Tan Cheng Siew (Week 6), Teo Lee Choo (Week 2), Lim Chiew Ling (Week 1)

Last Saturday saw the 6th winner for RM100,000 presented with the giant cheque  but very cashable cheque…so what are you waiting for, yes it is real. My own doubts dispelled, I found some of their stories of how they reacted when told and how they used the money very heartwarming like the policeman who was taking a prisoner to a lock up when he got THE call and …had us all cracking up or the gentleman who used the money to have a Deepavali feast fro 100 kids from different orphanages instead of his customary 30 kids from one orphanage due to his windfall.

So, yes winning an amount  of money like that  can vertainly change your life in more ways than one. But, in the meantime,  for all you travellers going balik kampung this Chinese New Year, here are some other ways to win. Fuel saving tips by  Shell Fuelsave :

1) Fuel matters- yes skill matters but so does the right type of formula, right using efficient economy fuel like Shell Fuelsave because reduced fuel  consumption and feul costs helsp you get the most of every drop.

2) Drive smoothly- so no applying lipstick during driving and using your emergency brakes every time, stop starts and jerking , not smooth equals expensive.

3) Use a higher gear everytime as this burns less fuel and change up gear whenever you can. Automatic gear is best.

4) Keep windows closed. Keeps fancy hairdo  intact and also lowers wind resistance and does not slow you down. Use internal car’s ventilation system instead  of aircon which can help you save about 8% of fuel. well, I will go for steps 1,2,3 at this stage.

5) Use  cruise control- same  logic with change up and only if you have cruise control, bottom line constant speeds saves.

6) avoid excess idling- like in  a jam, switch off engine…but  I think only in very long jams yah, the rule of thumb jams longer  than 10 seconds and you cna use the traffic light counter as indication..otherwise you might be causing  a jam yourself.

7)  Avoid over revving- change gear only when you pull away or when accelerating.Do not “redline” rev counter.

Avoid high speeds- now this one is for all you people who think that by driving below 80km and those who always drive at 80km on the on the outermost right lane you are saving fuel and being a good roadie, when in is being  reality is  no more than a menace; here’s the good news, driving at 110km actually saves 30% more fuel and the most effocient is driving just 12kmph over the speed limit can affect fuel economy. Please do not drive at 110 at the leftest lane….

9) Avoid rush hour- less stress and more savings, sounds like a deal.

10) Trick to drive over hilly terrain- when you reach adownward slope, maintain steady  engine revs;use momentum  to go down slope and jsut befroe hitting bottom, accelerate. Do NOT however go on free gear when going down slope or you might find it a tad cumbersome to rev up and get stuck eelsewhere.

Another tip that is useful is to have tyres at the right pressure. Any excess weight more than 45kg causes fuel loss of 1-2%.

So, now ladies,  show your man you know your car too…and more importantly, Shell FuelSave can possibly mean a lot more serious  shopping money ….Chanel 2.55 come home to mama…come baby…

picture :courtesy of stockexchange

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