High fuel prices? How to save on petrol and diesel
The war in Europe has set its traces in the entire world. Fuel prices are breaking records week after week. Currently, there are long prospects of a price reduction for a liter of fuel. We would therefore like to give you a few tips on how to save fuel and, by extension, money.
1. Take care of your car's engine and tyres
A well-maintained car consumes less fuel. Check the oil level regularly, and every two to three months, check if the tyre pressure is still correct. If tyre pressure is not correct, your car can consume up to 5% more fuel. The recommended tyre pressure can 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 minimize tyre wear.
2. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking
Accelerating suddenly or braking late puts a strain on the engine, and therefore, it has an impact on the car's fuel consumption. If you notice in advance that you are going 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 Danish crowns on an annual basis.
3. Moderate your speed
Respecting the speed limits not only prevents fines, it also reduces your fuel consumption. For example, if you drive at 100 km/h on motorways instead of 120 km/h, 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.
4. Do not carry unnecessary weight
The heavier the load, the more fuel you will use. Unload your shopping groceries immediately after you return home, and check for any unnecessary weight in the boot. Roof racks and bicycle carriers also cause extra fuel consumption. Remove them from the car if you are not going to be using them for a long time.
5. Turn off the air condition when the car has the desired temperature
The air conditioner is a major consumer of fuel. On a hot summer day, running the air conditioner at low speed can increase fuel consumption by 5% and 20%. Of course, you do not have to sit in a scorching hot car, but switch off the air conditioner, 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.
6. Watch your heating in the winter months too
As with air conditioning, the heating system has an impact on fuel consumption. The same goes for popular options like seat heating. Do not run the heater on maximum for the whole journey, but dress a bit warmer if necessary. Finally, it pays off to switch on the eco-mode of your car. It immediately reduces the consumption of both the heating and the air conditioning.
7. Drive and fuel wisely
Finally, a few simple habits can make a big difference:
- Take advantage of a warm engine by linking several journeys together
- Switch gears a bit faster if you have a manual gearbox to keep the revs down
- Turn on your automatic start-stop system, so as not to consume fuel unnecessarily when you stop at traffic lights or get stuck in a traffic jam
- Avoid highways if you can find alternate routes
- Do not wait until your fuel tank is completely empty to refuel, but fuel when you pass a petrol station
With the above tips, your fuel consumption will drop considerably. And if you are really fed up with high prices, you should consider an electric car. Besides, an electric car does not have to be expensive. Read more about our electric vehicles here: Ready for EV
