High fuel prices? With these tips you will save on petrol and diesel

A well-maintained car consumes less. So check the oil level regularly and also check every two to three months whether the tyre pressure is still correct. If not, your car can consume up to 5% more fuel. The recommended tyre pressure can usually be found in the car's instruction booklet, in the driver's door or on the fuel cap. Alternating between summer and winter tyres also helps to prevent tyre wear.

Accelerating suddenly or braking late puts a strain on the engine and therefore also has an impact on the car's consumption. If you notice in advance that you are going to have to brake (for example, at a red traffic light), it is best to let go of the accelerator in time so that the car can coast. You can save up to 10% on fuel by driving economically. At the current prices, this can easily mean a difference of a few hundred euros on an annual basis.

Respecting the speed limits not only prevents fines, it also reduces your fuel consumption. For example, if you drive at 100 kilometres per hour on motorways instead of 120, you will use between 5 and 15% less fuel depending on the type of car. Keep an eye on your fuel consumption via the dashboard if at all possible. You can then see with your own eyes how your consumption is decreasing by adopting a more economical driving style.

The heavier the load, the more fuel you will use. So unload your shopping immediately and check before you leave that you are not carrying any unnecessary weight in the boot. Roof racks and bicycle carriers also cause extra fuel consumption. So remove them from the car if you are not going to be using them for a long time.

The air conditioning is a major consumer of fuel. On a hot summer day, running the air conditioning at low speed can increase fuel consumption by between 5 and 20%. Of course, you don't have to sit in a scorching hot car, but switch off the air conditioning as soon as you reach the desired temperature. Before you leave, open a window and park the car in the shade if possible. These tips are essential for increasing the range when driving electrically, but even a petrol or diesel car has a lot to gain from smarter use of the air conditioning.

As with conditioning, the heating system has an impact on fuel consumption. The same goes for popular options like seat heating. So don't run the heater on full blast for the whole journey and dress a bit warmer if necessary. Finally, it pays to switch on the eco-mode of your car, because this immediately reduces the consumption of both the heating and the air conditioning.

Finally, a few simple habits can make a big difference:

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  Take advantage of a warm engine by linking several journeys together
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  Change up a gear a bit quicker with a manual gearbox to keep the revs down
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  Turn on your automatic start-stop system, so as not to consume fuel unnecessarily when you stop at traffic lights or in a traffic jam
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  Avoid highways if you can just as well take a shortcut. High speeds also cause your fuel tank to empty faster
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  Don't wait until your fuel tank is completely empty, but fill up when you pass a petrol station. This way, you won't have to make an extra trip or diversions later on.

With the above tips, your fuel consumption will drop considerably. And if you are really fed up with high prices, you should definitely consider an electric car. Besides, an EV doesn't have to be expensive: discover LeasePlan's wide range here.