25 Apr 2026
Fuel-Efficient Driving: Techniques to Save Fuel and Money
Driving efficiently is one of the simplest ways to cut fuel costs. Accelerate gently by taking about five seconds to reach 20 km/h from a stop; hard acceleration wastes fuel and increases emissions【342916376322085†L56-L98】. Maintain a steady speed by keeping a safe distance from the car ahead and anticipating traffic so you don’t have to brake or accelerate unnecessarily. Avoid high speeds because most vehicles are most efficient between 50 and 80 km/h; travelling at 120 km/h uses about 20% more fuel than 100 km/h【342916376322085†L56-L98】. When you need to slow down, ease off the accelerator and coast instead of braking suddenly.
Good habits beyond the pedals also save fuel. Avoid idling for more than 60 seconds – a three-litre engine wastes about 300 mL of fuel every 10 minutes of idling【342916376322085†L108-L148】. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure because underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 4%【342916376322085†L108-L148】. Remove unnecessary weight from the trunk and take off roof racks or boxes when not in use to reduce aerodynamic drag. Use air conditioning sparingly as it can increase fuel use by up to 20%【342916376322085†L108-L148】. Finally, many vehicles offer onboard fuel consumption displays; monitoring your driving can help you cut consumption by about 15%【342916376322085†L108-L148】.
Good habits beyond the pedals also save fuel. Avoid idling for more than 60 seconds – a three-litre engine wastes about 300 mL of fuel every 10 minutes of idling【342916376322085†L108-L148】. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure because underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 4%【342916376322085†L108-L148】. Remove unnecessary weight from the trunk and take off roof racks or boxes when not in use to reduce aerodynamic drag. Use air conditioning sparingly as it can increase fuel use by up to 20%【342916376322085†L108-L148】. Finally, many vehicles offer onboard fuel consumption displays; monitoring your driving can help you cut consumption by about 15%【342916376322085†L108-L148】.