Rising fuel prices are an issue that is a headache for drivers. There is nothing we can do about it, but what we can do is to reduce the fuel consumption of our cars by more than 30% through logic and efficient driving.

Knowing how to reduce fuel consumption is very interesting, especially when you are thinking of renting a car. That’s why we at Yellow Car give you some tips.

How to save fuel without changing driving habits

If we get used to performing the following operations, we will reduce our consumption significantly, without any need to change our driving style:

Do not leave the car idling

Do not keep the vehicle idling to warm up the engine in winter or while waiting for a passenger.

The former is out of place in today’s cars, except when the car has been parked for several hours in sub-zero temperatures.

And the second is tantamount to burning money for the sole purpose of producing polluting fumes and gases.

Remove roof racks and carriers if not in regular use.

All these devices significantly increase the frictional resistance of the moving vehicle, with the direct consequence of higher fuel consumption.

Turn off the air conditioning when it is not necessary

Depending on the driving conditions, air conditioning increases fuel consumption by 1 to 2 litres per 100 kilometres.

It is best to get into the habit of switching it off and only switching it on when necessary.

How to save fuel in the city

In addition, you will save even more if you are a little more farsighted on city journeys. If your car does not have a ‘start-stop’ system, turn off the vehicle when you have to stop for more than two minutes. Most of us drivers monitor the duration of traffic lights and traffic jams on our daily routes.

So, in the absence of an auto-stop system, we can perform this operation manually as studies show that, from two minutes onwards, it is cost-effective and the longer the stop, the more cost-effective it is to do so.

Drive smart

In urban driving, apply these three techniques for efficient, forward-thinking driving:

• Maintain the appropriate speed to allow the car to reach junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights by its own inertia.
• Always drive with a light touch on the accelerator.
• Avoid repeated full-throttle starts and hard braking.

How to use less fuel on the road

If you have any doubts about efficient driving on interurban roads and are unaware of its major impact on reducing fuel consumption, follow these rules. You will notice them in your wallet when you fill up:

Controls the speed

Optimum fuel consumption is between 65 km/h and 110 km/h. Above or below these limits, you will use much more fuel.

At 120 km/h, any car burns 30% more fuel than at 90 km/h.

Preferably use high gears

You should upshift when your diesel engine exceeds 1300 revs or 1800 revs if it is a petrol engine.

On roads and motorways, always keep windows closed.

From 50 mph onwards, the increase in fuel consumption is already noticeable. And at 90 mph, a single window down will make your car spend around 5% more.

And although we don’t like to repeat ourselves, let’s remember what we said at the beginning: if you follow each and every one of these tips, the final saving on petrol or diesel will be around 30%.