As you would driving around at home, you want to make sure you’re getting the most fuel for your money. Be prepared for your next rental period by familiarising yourself with these top tips to help improve your hire car fuel economy. Some you’re probably aware of, some you might have forgot or been unaware of. They’re all handy to know!
Photo by: Syda Productions/Adobe Stock
1. Check the tyres before you drive away from the supplier- make sure they look well inflated and aren’t damaged. Make sure that they have even tread. If you suspect otherwise, mention it to the supplier.
2. If possible, check for fuel leaks and damage to the fuel tank. Ensure that the fuel cap is secure. Report this to the supplier if you have any concerns.
3. Don’t carry around items in the car that you don’t need- if you’re taking your golf clubs everywhere even when you’re not using them, you’re reducing the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
4. Drive sensibly- restrict speeds where you can, avoid braking unnecessarily, and reduce/increase speed gradually rather than quickly.
5. Don’t let the engine idle for too long- if you’re sat with the engine running for longer than 1 minute, you might as well have turned the engine off. Leaving it idling for this long uses up more fuel than what it would to switch off and on again.
6. When the weather is hot try to park in the shade rather than out in the open as this will reduce fuel evaporation.
7. Plan your journeys in advance so you know the route roughly and can minimise any unplanned detours.
8. Where possible, close the sunroof and windows when travelling over 45mph as having them open increases the drag of the vehicle and increases fuel consumption.
9. Unfortunately, having just been told to keep your windows shut because they affect fuel consumption, you probably don’t want to hear that having your air-con on negatively affects it as well. If you can travel without it switched on, great. However, we understand that not melting in your hire car under the blistering sun in the Algarve during peak season can be more important than fuel economy.
10. Consider booking an economy or compact category vehicle. Petrol cars have an average MPG of 40-50 and diesel between 45-60. Don’t book a large vehicle that you won’t effectively utilise throughout your trip.
Photo by: Aleksandr Lazarev/Adobe Stock
What are your tips to improve hire car fuel economy?
Have you got any tips to help other travellers like you save on fuel economy when venturing out in their hire cars? Let us know in the comments.
Armed with these great tips, consider where you could hire your next car.
Looking for ways to be thrifty on your next trip away? Consider reading these handy articles:
- Why booking car hire early can benefit you
- 9 thrifty tips to make the most of your holiday cash
- How to protect yourself from your travel company going bust
- Hidden fees: What are the real car hire costs?
- 9 top tips for packing luggage effectively, saving space and money
- How to protect yourself against car hire fuel policies
- 11 hotel extras you can avoid
Written by Jessica Juby.
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