7 Fuel-Saving Tips for Your Next Road Trip
Are you going on a road trip this summer? Do you plan to catch some waves on your surfboard with your brand-new surf fins (Ailerons de surf)? From the right rental car to the best refueling arrangement: car rental specialist Sunny Cars has listed a number of useful tips so that you will not pay blue for those annoying fuel costs.
The right car is key
Everything starts with choosing the right car. Are you going cruising through the mountains? Then do not choose the smallest or cheapest rental car but invest in a car with more horsepower. It not only drives much smoother up the steep slopes but is often also much more economical.
Opt for a fair refueling scheme
If you rent a car, there are three refueling arrangements.
- FF scheme (Full-Full): you hand in the car with the same gas mode as you picked it up with.
- FP scheme (Full-Paid): you pick up the rental car with a full tank and return it unfuelled. There is a free tank of fuel included in the rental price, so you do not have to pay extra on the spot.
- FE scheme (Full-Empty): also with this tank control you pick up the car with a full tank and return it ’empty’, only the filled fuel tank is not free here and there is no refund of unused fuel. You pay for the petrol on the spot to the car rental provider.
For example, if you opt for the FE scheme, you will not only pay a higher price for petrol but so-called service costs will often also be charged. According to Sunny Cars, the FF scheme is the most transparent and fairest refueling scheme, whereby you will not be saddled with unexpected costs at the end of the journey.
Refuel the right fuel
Seems obvious, but it is not always. In some countries, the fuel names are quite confusing and it can happen that you accidentally fill up with the wrong fuel in your car. In that case, the car rental provider will probably charge you extra to clean the tank and pipes.
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Avoid refueling on the motorway
Gas stations that are located along the highway are often more expensive than the ones a little further away. More than worth a detour, so! Petrol stations near a national border are also often a lot cheaper because they have to compete with their colleagues in neighboring countries.
Use cruise control
Does your car have cruise control? Use it! Those who drive at a constant speed consume about 4 to 10% less fuel.
Anticipate and moderate your speed
Try not to change lanes unnecessarily, brake abruptly, and keep a sufficient distance. By the way, did you know that you save up to 25% of fuel when you drive 100 km/h instead of 130 km/h?
Bol out
Do you come to a red light or other obstacles? As mentioned above, avoid abrupt braking and release your accelerator in advance. This way your car slows down and you do not use gasoline, so you drive more economically. Do you stand still for more than a minute? Turn off your engine. Not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment!