How To Use Less Fuel: 10 Tips For Your Car
4- 14.08.2026, 18:49
- 2,802
Maybe it's time to change your driving style.
A car’s fuel consumption is determined not only by engine displacement, transmission type, or the price of gas at a particular gas station. Operating conditions, the car’s condition, and the driver’s daily habits all have a significant impact on fuel consumption. Some of these habits can significantly increase costs, while small changes in driving behavior can help reduce fuel consumption without any additional investment.
“Cursor” has compiled tips from automotive experts and mechanics that truly help reduce fuel consumption.
What Can Increase Fuel Consumption
Remove the roof rack when you don’t need it
Roof racks and roof boxes create additional aerodynamic drag even when they’re empty. This is especially noticeable when driving at high speeds. The greater the air resistance, the harder the engine has to work.
According to some estimates, roof-mounted accessories can increase fuel consumption by about 5 percent, and a large roof box can, in some cases, lead to an increase of up to 25 percent when driving on the highway. Therefore, once you’ve completed the trip for which they were needed, it’s best to remove these luggage racks.
Don’t keep unnecessary heavy items in your car
Tools, boxes, sports equipment, fuel cans, and other items that are constantly in the trunk increase the vehicle’s weight. A few extra kilograms are unlikely to be noticeable during a single trip, but constantly carrying extra weight gradually increases fuel consumption.
It’s a good idea to periodically review the contents of your trunk and remove anything you don’t need for everyday trips.
At high speeds, the air conditioner is sometimes more fuel-efficient than open windows
In the city, open windows usually don’t have a significant impact on fuel consumption. However, the situation changes when driving on the highway. Airflow enters the cabin and increases the car’s aerodynamic drag, causing the engine to consume more energy.
Studies show that driving with the windows open at high speeds can increase fuel consumption by approximately 4–8.5 percent. Therefore, when driving on the highway, using the air conditioner is sometimes the more economical option.
Choose gas stations with high fuel turnover
Where you fill up also matters. At stations with a high volume of customers, fuel moves through the tanks more quickly and is regularly replaced with fresh supplies. This reduces the likelihood that the fuel has been stored in the tanks for a long time.
Fuel quality matters not only for engine performance but also for its efficiency. Therefore, whenever possible, it’s best to choose trusted gas stations with a good reputation.
Habits That Help You Spend Less
Don’t Let the Engine Run Unnecessarily
Letting your car idle for a long time isn’t always necessary. Modern engines are designed to reach operating temperature more quickly while driving at a steady pace. After starting the engine, simply give the car a little time, then begin driving without sudden acceleration until the engine warms up.
Check your tire pressure
Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance. As a result, the engine has to expend more energy to maintain motion, and fuel consumption increases.
It’s best to check tire pressure regularly and maintain it at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. It’s especially important to do this before long trips.
Avoid sudden acceleration and unnecessary braking
An aggressive driving style directly affects fuel consumption. If you can already see a red traffic light, an intersection, or a traffic jam ahead, there’s no point in continuing to accelerate only to brake suddenly afterward.
It’s much more fuel-efficient to take your foot off the gas pedal in advance and let the car gradually slow down. This driving style reduces the number of unnecessary accelerations and braking maneuvers.
Combine short trips
Frequent short trips are particularly inefficient in terms of fuel consumption. Until the engine reaches operating temperature, it runs less efficiently and consumes more fuel.
If possible, combine several short errands into a single trip; this will reduce the number of times you start the engine and the total time the engine runs while cold.
Check the condition of the air filter
A dirty air filter can impair the normal flow of air into the engine. As a result, fuel combustion becomes less efficient, and fuel consumption may gradually increase.
Therefore, don’t put off replacing the filter. This part is relatively inexpensive, and timely maintenance helps keep the engine running smoothly.
Do not exceed a reasonable speed
The higher the vehicle’s speed, the greater the air resistance. Beyond a certain threshold, this factor begins to have a particularly noticeable effect on fuel consumption.
When driving at speeds of around 100 km/h or higher, fuel consumption can increase significantly faster. At the same time, higher speeds do not always significantly reduce travel time, but the difference in fuel consumption becomes noticeable.
Fuel savings come from a combination of habits
It’s usually impossible to significantly reduce fuel consumption with just one technique. It’s much more effective to combine several simple actions.
If you regularly check your tire pressure, avoid carrying unnecessary cargo, remove the roof rack after trips, avoid sudden acceleration, maintain your car’s technical condition, and drive at a moderate speed, your overall fuel costs can decrease significantly.
Thus, fuel-efficient driving does not necessarily require a significant financial investment. In many cases, it is enough to change a few everyday habits and pay closer attention to the condition of your car.
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