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How to save fuel on vacation? – proven methods

Saving fuel - driving a car on holiday
Artur Owczarek
Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

Are you going on holiday by car, but are you worried about paying a fortune for fuel? Petrol, diesel and gas are expensive – regardless of the country. However, there are ways to reduce fuel consumption and thus save even several hundred zlotys during one trip. How to do it?

  • Before setting off on a journey, it is worth choosing the right vehicle, checking promotions at gas stations and planning your route accordingly.
  • How to reduce fuel consumption? Economical driving is not everything. Take care of the technical condition of your car and the appropriate tire pressure.
  • Load affects combustion. It is worth distributing the luggage evenly.
  • Holiday trip by car? Calculate travel costs, use fuel consumption calculator!

Choosing the right car, checking its technical condition and appropriate driving habits - these are just a few issues worth paying attention to before leaving. See what to do to pay less for traveling by car on vacation.

Plan your refueling, check promotions at stations

Refueling the car

Vacation trips, in addition to preparing your car for a long trip, also require preparing your wallet for fuel expenses. It's worth planning your fueling, especially since fuel prices abroad can be higher. However, you can plan your fueling so you pay less. How can you save on fuel? Check for fuel promotions at gas stations to save up to 40 groszy per liter. To avoid higher prices at stations abroad, it's also a good idea to bring a full canister of fuel.

Filling up with the popular 95 octane? When planning your fill-ups, remember that in most countries, gas stations only stock E10 , so it's worth checking whether it's safe for your car's engine. It's also worth keeping in mind that in some cases, you'll need to fill up with the more expensive 98 octane.

Saving fuel on holiday - the right vehicle

How to save fuel - a car driving on the road

If you don't have your own car and are renting one in your destination country, opt for the model with the lowest fuel consumption. Rental companies often offer cars that run on petrol, diesel, or LPG. Small city cars are usually available . How can you reduce fuel consumption? Before deciding on one, check the cost of a specific type of fuel in your destination. LPG is usually the cheapest.

The same applies if you have two cars or can borrow a car from family or friends. Choose a vehicle that will accommodate your luggage, provide comfortable driving, and at the same time will not consume too much fuel. In this case, typical sports or off-road cars are out of the question (unless you plan to drive on demanding terrain), which usually have high fuel consumption.

Check what to watch out for when renting a car!

How to save fuel? Tire pressure and more economical driving

Inflating car tires

How to drive economically while on vacation? Check your tire pressure before leaving . Underinflating your tires can increase fuel consumption. Furthermore, underinflated tires negatively impact both safety and driving comfort.

Note: Don't overinflate your tires. If the pressure is too high, your car will burn less fuel, but your braking distance will be significantly longer. This can also negatively impact tire durability. Choose the optimal pressure recommended by the tire manufacturer.

How to reduce fuel consumption? Technical condition of the car

Back of the car

Not everyone realizes that a car's overall technical condition also significantly impacts fuel consumption. It's worth keeping this in mind when considering fuel-efficient driving . If a car has a poorly functioning fuel, injection, or intake system, it may consume more gasoline, diesel, or LPG. For this reason, it's worth taking your vehicle to a garage for a checkup before heading off on vacation. This will not only impact driving costs but also safety.

Fuel saving and driving style

How to reduce fuel consumption - traveling by car

Thinking about eco-driving ? It's definitely worth remembering to adopt an eco-friendly driving style. It's worth following eco-driving guidelines , as it can help reduce fuel consumption by up to 25%! What should you pay attention to?

  • do not add gas immediately after starting the engine - wait a few seconds,
  • use "1" only to start from a place,
  • when possible, immediately shift to a higher gear,
  • avoid frequent and sudden changes in speed,
  • use engine braking – shifting to a lower gear,
  • remember to keep a safe distance from other vehicles - then you will not have to brake suddenly,
  • avoid idling (i.e. in a relaxed way),
  • turn off the engine when stopping.

Does cruise control save fuel?

Traveling by car on holiday

Many people also wonder whether cruise control saves fuel . Yes, a constant speed allows you to reduce the amount of gasoline, LPG, or diesel fuel you use. If you plan long trips on highways or expressways, choosing a car with cruise control can be a good idea. It's beneficial not only for financial reasons but also for driving comfort.

Saving fuel - load on the vehicle

Luggage in the trunk of the car

A vehicle's weight also affects fuel consumption. Vacation trips typically weigh several hundred kilograms more than normal travel, which is worth keeping in mind when calculating travel costs. How can you reduce fuel consumption? If you can't reduce your luggage, ensure it's distributed evenly. This will improve aerodynamics and, consequently, reduce fuel consumption.

A holiday trip by car? Check what you can't forget!

When planning a holiday trip by car, it is worth ensuring that travel costs are reduced. Especially since implementing all these practices can reduce costs by up to several hundred zlotys or more, especially during longer trips.

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