How to save fuel when driving: 4 simple habits that can improve your car's fuel economy

Driving more efficiently is not complicated. The key is to keep things smooth. Much of the extra fuel your car uses comes from unnecessary acceleration and braking, often without you realising it.

A few small changes to your everyday driving habits can help you get more mileage from every tank and make the journey more comfortable for everyone on board.

Look ahead and anticipate traffic

Keep your eyes on the road ahead and watch for changes in traffic and traffic lights further down the road. If you see a red light or traffic building up, ease off the accelerator early and let the car coast towards it.

In many modern cars, lifting off the accelerator while the car remains in gear activates fuel cut-off, meaning the engine uses little or no fuel during deceleration. This can help improve fuel economy and reduce brake pad wear. It also makes deceleration smoother, helping to keep passengers more comfortable.

Maintain a steady speed

When the traffic light turns green, there is no need to floor the accelerator and let the engine rev too high. Apply throttle progressively and allow the gearbox to shift up smoothly.

Once you reach your cruising speed, try to maintain a steady pace. For many cars, travelling at around 60–90km/h can be more fuel-efficient, although the ideal speed depends on the vehicle and road conditions.

On the highway, driving above 120km/h significantly increases aerodynamic drag, forcing the engine to work harder and use more fuel. Maintaining a consistent speed, where conditions allow, is a more effective way to keep fuel consumption down.

Reduce unnecessary weight and check tyre pressure

The heavier your car, the more energy it needs to move. Take some time to clear out tools, equipment and other items you rarely use from the boot. Removing unnecessary weight can help reduce fuel consumption.

Tyre pressure matters too. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder to keep the car moving.

Check your tyre pressures regularly and inflate them to the recommended levels shown on the sticker inside the driver's door frame. It is worth checking whenever you visit a petrol station or take your car in for servicing.

Know when to open the windows

At low speeds, particularly in stop-start traffic, opening the windows instead of using the air conditioning may help save fuel. However, at higher speeds, open windows increase aerodynamic drag and can make the car less efficient.

On the highway, keeping the windows closed is generally the better option. The extra drag caused by open windows can outweigh the fuel saved by switching off the air conditioning.

Saving fuel does not mean constantly watching the fuel gauge or driving uncomfortably slowly. Simply avoid sudden acceleration and harsh braking, anticipate traffic ahead and keep your car properly maintained. These habits can help reduce fuel consumption while making everyday driving smoother and more relaxed.