Short trips can be a fuel guzzler for your car, but with the right strategies, you can significantly reduce fuel consumption. Whether you’re running errands, dropping the kids off at school, or commuting a short distance, these practical tips will help you save fuel and money while keeping your vehicle in peak condition.
1. Plan Your Trips to Avoid Multiple Cold Starts
Starting a car when the engine is cold consumes more fuel, as the vehicle uses extra power to warm up. Combine errands into one trip instead of making multiple short journeys, allowing the engine to stay warm and run more efficiently. Planning your routes ahead of time will also help you avoid traffic, stop-and-go driving, and unnecessary detours, which all increase fuel consumption.
2. Keep Your Tyres Properly Inflated
One of the simplest ways to improve fuel economy is by ensuring your tyres are at the correct pressure. Underinflated tyres cause more rolling resistance, which makes your engine work harder and burn more fuel. Regularly check your tyre pressure and adjust it to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, especially before a long journey or during seasonal changes.
3. Drive Smoothly and Avoid Harsh Acceleration
Aggressive driving – quick acceleration, sharp braking, and frequent lane changes – can lower your fuel economy by as much as 40%. Try to anticipate traffic flow to reduce the need for sudden stops or starts. For short trips, maintaining a steady speed and accelerating gently is key to saving fuel.
4. Lighten Your Load
Carrying excess weight in your car, particularly during short trips, puts more strain on your engine and increases fuel consumption. If you’re not using your boot for storage or have a roof rack you don’t need, remove them to lighten the load. Even 50 kg of unnecessary weight can make a noticeable difference in fuel usage.
5. Turn Off the Engine When Idle
If you’re waiting in your car for more than a minute, turn off the engine rather than letting it idle. This is particularly important for short trips, where the engine is frequently stopped and started. Modern engines use less fuel to restart than they do to idle for extended periods.
6. Keep Up with Regular Servicing
A well-maintained car is more fuel-efficient. Regular servicing ensures that components like the air filter, spark plugs, and oil are all in good condition, helping the engine run smoothly. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel efficiency by up to 10%, while using the recommended grade of motor oil can enhance it by an additional 2%. If it’s been a while since your last service, consider booking an appointment with Windmill Garage to keep your vehicle running efficiently.
7. Minimise Air Conditioning Usage
On short trips, using air conditioning can significantly reduce fuel economy. At lower speeds, open the windows instead of turning on the AC. However, at higher speeds, it’s better to use the air conditioning to reduce wind resistance caused by open windows Either way, don’t run the AC at maximum unless necessary— keeping it at a moderate level can still keep you cool without using as much fuel.
8. Remove Roof Racks and External Storage
If your car is equipped with a roof rack or external cargo carrier, it’s likely increasing drag and reducing your fuel efficiency, especially during short trips around town. Remove any unused racks or boxes to allow your vehicle to run more aerodynamically and efficiently.
9. Use Cruise Control (When Applicable)
For longer stretches of road or when driving at consistent speeds, using cruise control can help improve fuel efficiency. It prevents unnecessary fluctuations in speed that cause fuel consumption to spike. However, on short city trips or in stop-and-go traffic, it’s best to rely on manual driving.
10. Keep Your Speed Moderate
While speeding may seem like it will get you to your destination faster, it significantly impacts fuel consumption. For every 5 mph over 50 mph, your car’s fuel efficiency decreases. On short trips, staying within the speed limit and avoiding rapid acceleration will go a long way toward maximising fuel economy.
Conclusion
Improving your car’s fuel efficiency on short trips is about driving smarter and maintaining your vehicle. By combining trips, maintaining proper tyre pressure, driving smoothly, and keeping your car well-serviced, you’ll see an improvement in fuel economy and save money at the pump. If you’re unsure about the condition of your car, Windmill Garage offers expert maintenance and services to help keep your vehicle in optimal shape. Get in touch with us today to book a service and start saving on fuel costs!