Leave the petrol station behind: tips for saving fuel
13.12.2018
Translation: machine translated
Fuel has long since ceased to be a bargain and is on everyone's lips again right now. There's often not much you can do about the price. But you can change your driving behaviour.
The mere announcement of an increase in fuel prices drove thousands of people in yellow waistcoats onto the streets. In Belgium, entire sections of motorway were blocked, in France people rioted. In Germany, too, hardly anyone dares to fill up with petrol, as this would put a serious strain on the monthly budget. Thanks to the hot summer.
Minimise consumption
In order to avoid driving yourself up the wall, you need to start earlier: with fuel consumption. If you consume less, you also pay less. The environment will also be happy. With a few simple tricks, you can reduce your consumption and free yourself a little from the chains of the oil companies.
Use the engine brake
Wait to clutch and brake when driving downhill or on the motorway exit. Instead, simply take your foot off the accelerator and let your engine do the work for you. In this situation, the rolling vehicle drives the engine (and not the other way round) so that the fuel supply from the vehicle is interrupted. Consumption drops to zero.
Check the tyre pressure
If you forget to inflate your bike tyres again, you will immediately notice it in your legs. The same goes for your car. So check your tyre pressure regularly. You can find the recommended value either in the manual or in the petrol cap. You can easily increase this by up to 0.5 bar and save an additional 3 per cent on petrol. Low-rolling resistance tyres also have a positive effect on fuel consumption as they reduce rolling resistance.
Trash out your car
The two pairs of skis that are still in the car from last winter. The sports bag still waiting untouched in the back seat. The glass bottles from the last party that should have been thrown away long ago. All of this weighs down your vehicle and reduces fuel consumption. Because if the car is heavier, it needs more power to get moving. Just like us after the Christmas holidays.
Use first gear sparingly
First gear is for starting off. The definition of starting off is one car length, then immediately shift up into second and as soon as 2000 revs are reached, shift up again. The general rule is: always drive in the highest possible gear and avoid unnecessary downshifts and upshifts. Because every gear change requires a step on the accelerator pedal.
Look ahead
Visionary thinking does no harm in road traffic. The traffic lights turn red? Then it's better to glide slowly to the light instead of driving towards it at full speed, only to brake abruptly. Frequent braking and acceleration manoeuvres put unnecessary strain on your fuel tank.
Switch off the engine more often
Switch off the engine if you have to stop for long periods at level crossings or traffic lights. With most vehicles, it is worth turning the key in the lock after just a few seconds.
Keep an eye on power guzzlers
The air conditioning is a blessing. I didn't have one in my car for a long time and it wasn't pleasant, to say the least. But it's also a bit of a curse if you pay attention to fuel consumption
.
Leave the car at home
The car still consumes the least fuel when it's not being used at all.
It all sounds logical. Nothing that can't be understood with common sense. At least I think I heard some of it at driving school. But I forget. Especially when I'm stressed out again and wish I was in a "coach car" and could ram anyone with impunity.
Do you have any other tips on how to reduce petrol consumption? Then drop them in the comments column!
My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
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