Tips to reduce fuel bills during your rental

• Posted Jul 07, 2016
• Tags car rental, fuel saving tips, mauritius

Whether you are renting a car for short term or long term, learning how to be an eco conductor is always beneficial. While on a vacation, the last thing you would want to do is spending lots of money on petrol rather than enjoying you holidays and making the most out of it.

Let’s see some tips on how to use your petrol efficiently and save money.

Well maintained car
Good maintenance is the key to it. Make sure the car you have chosen or you have been handed over is well maintained and regularly serviced. Make sure to check for the oil levels and brake fluids. Do not forget to check for any leaks and the pressure of the tires.

Drive at a moderate speed.

The faster you drive the more fuel you burn. So, maintain a moderate speed while saving money and assuring your safety at the same time.  On average a car consumes about 15% more fuel when driving at 100km/hr and 25% more when driving at 110km/hr.  So remember to drive within the acceptable limits to make your holiday a safer and more economical one.

Pump up your tyres
Keeping your tires inflated is one of the easiest and essential way of saving petrol. While making sure the pressure is not beyond the range prescribed by the manufacturer, make sure your tyres are having maximum pressure. Deflated tires run hot and make you more vulnerable.  Less pressure causes tires to wear out prematurely and also affects the vehicle while increasing fuel consumption due to rolling resistance. So, it’s more beneficial to stop over for 5 minutes and make sure your tires are having maximum pressure.

Avoid carrying weights
On an average every 50kg load added in your ca increases the fuel consumption by 2%.  As far as possible try to avoid carrying heavy items. Keep a light weight and enjoy your ride!

Anticipate traffic
Maybe you have crossed the same road quite a few times and you are aware of the traffic light waiting for you ahead, so slow down gradually while approaching it. A driver can on an average decrease its fuel consumption by 10% fuel if he doesn’t brake or accelerate unnecessarily.  Anticipate traffic conditions and adjust your speed accordingly.

Avoid strong acceleration
The fuel consumption remains minimum when driving steadily at a moderate speed of 90km/hr.  Every time the accelerator is depressed, the vehicle goes into fuel enrichment mode which consumes more fuel.  Smooth and gradual acceleration can decrease fuel wastage t a great extent.

Limit your air-con use
On an average air conditioners use upto 10% more fuel when operating. However when driving at more than 80km/hr, its better to use air conditioner than letting your windows open which will result into more fuel consumption.

Choose thinner tires
Thicker tires improves handling of the car but also increases fuel consumption, as it means increased rolling resistance which naturally increases fuel consumption.

Plan your journey
Avoid driving during peak hours. Make a proper plan of your journey and try your best to abide by it. You can also opt to use a navigation maps which usually chooses the best route to reach your destination faster!