How to consume less fuel: 10 tricks that work

The topic of how to consume less fuel is more relevant today than ever. With the fluctuating cost of filling up and growing attention to environmental sustainability, reducing car fuel consumption is a concrete necessity for both private individuals and professionals.

It is possible to save up to 15-20% of fuel simply by modifying some driving habits and paying attention to small, often overlooked details.

Many drivers think that the only way to reduce consumption is to change cars. In reality, even before considering a more efficient solution, such as a latest-generation or hybrid model, there are immediate strategies that can help cut costs from the very next fill-up.

In this article, we will provide concrete advice, applicable immediately, supported by experience in the automotive sector.

Why do car fuel consumptions increase? Key factors

Before applying any strategy to consume less fuel, it is essential to understand why a car consumes more than necessary.

In most cases, increased consumption does not depend on a single factor, but on a combination of driving style, vehicle condition, and engine technology.

Let’s look at the main elements that directly affect your wallet.

Driving style: the most determining factor

The way you drive can affect up to 30% of overall consumption.

The most penalizing habits are:

• Harsh accelerations
• Sudden braking
• Irregular driving (continuous stop-and-go)
• High and constant speeds on highways

Aggressive driving requires more fuel to compensate for constant speed variations. Conversely, smooth and predictive driving allows the engine to work under optimal conditions.

Vehicle maintenance condition

Poorly maintained cars consume more. The most critical elements include:

• Incorrect tire pressure (can increase consumption by 2-3%)
• Dirty air filter
• Degraded engine oil
• Not perfectly efficient injectors

An engine that does not “breathe” well or works with higher friction must use more fuel to deliver the same performance.

Weight and aerodynamics

Every extra kilogram requires energy to move. Particularly impactful are:

• Unnecessary objects in the trunk
• Roof racks or roof boxes permanently mounted
• External accessories that increase air resistance

On highways, aerodynamic resistance becomes the main consumption factor; the greater the air friction, the more fuel is needed.

Engine technology and emission class

Not all cars are designed with the same efficiency standards.

An older engine inevitably consumes more than a modern one. Differences between:

• Traditional gasoline
• Latest-generation diesel
• Mild-Hybrid engines
• Full-Hybrid engines

Can result in real savings of 15% to 30%, assuming similar use.

Traffic conditions and route

Congested urban routes, frequent hills, and heavy traffic drastically increase consumption compared to smooth trips.

City driving, characterized by constant stops and starts, is one of the most fuel-consuming types of driving.

Almost all these factors can be optimized, allowing for intervention to reduce the impact on fuel consumption and improve overall car efficiency.

10 tricks to consume less fuel today

After analyzing the factors affecting consumption, let’s get practical.

Below are 10 practical strategies, immediately applicable, which can measurably reduce fuel consumption. They are simple measures but extremely effective if applied consistently.

1. Smooth driving and traffic anticipation

The so-called predictive driving is the most effective method to save fuel. What does it mean?

• Maintain a constant speed
• Avoid sudden accelerations and braking
• Observe traffic in advance to reduce stop-and-go

Every harsh acceleration requires a fuel spike. Anticipating traffic flow can generate savings of up to 10-15%.

2. Correct gear management

In traditional engines, consuming less means driving at mid-low revs. Best practices include:

• Shift gears between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm (diesel)
• Avoid “over-revving” gears unnecessarily
• Use the highest possible gear compatible with speed

An engine running at high revs consumes more fuel without real benefits for daily driving.

3. Tire pressure check

This is one of the most common mistakes. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and can affect consumption by 2-3% more.

Professional advice that generates immediate savings:

• Check pressure at least once a month
• Always check cold
• Respect manufacturer-recommended values

4. Intelligent use of engine braking

Many people don’t know, but in modern cars the cut-off system comes into play. When you release the accelerator with a gear engaged:

• Fuel injection stops
• Consumption drops almost to zero

Putting the car in neutral, instead, keeps the idle active and consumes fuel. On descents or during slowing down, it’s better to keep the gear engaged.

5. Aerodynamics care

On highways, air resistance is the main enemy of consumption. Significant factors include:

• Unused roof racks
• Roof boxes
• Transversely mounted bars

Removing them when not needed can save 5-10% on highway trips.

6. Reduce vehicle weight

Every extra 50 kg increases consumption. Check the trunk for:

• Unused tools
• Permanently stored objects
• Unnecessary materials

Less weight means less energy required by the engine.

7. Air conditioning or windows? The 70-80 km/h rule

This is a question many drivers frequently ask:

• Below 70-80 km/h: it’s better to slightly open the windows
• Above 80 km/h: it’s better to use the air conditioning

At high speeds, open windows worsen aerodynamics more than the AC affects consumption.

8. Turn off the engine during long stops

If a stop exceeds 60 seconds, it’s advisable to turn off the engine. Modern cars with Start&Stop do this automatically, but even in older models, this practice helps reduce unnecessary waste.

9. Regular maintenance

An efficient car consumes less. Key interventions affecting fuel savings include:

• Periodic replacement of the air filter
• Oil change with quality lubricants
• Check spark plugs (for gasoline cars)
• Injector verification

Preventive maintenance reduces friction and improves combustion.

10. Route planning

A congested route can increase consumption by up to 20%. Before departing:

• Check traffic
• Avoid peak hours when possible
• Prefer smooth routes

Even a few minutes of planning can translate into real savings.

By applying all these measures, you can achieve significant improvement. However, even the best driving style cannot fully compensate for an outdated car. This is where the efficiency of new-generation vehicles comes into play.

Comparative data: how much can you really save

After illustrating the 10 main tricks to reduce consumption, it’s useful to understand the real impact on your fuel expenses.

Savings depend not only on good driving habits but also on vehicle efficiency.

To make the concept more concrete, let’s compare three types of cars: an old one, a modern one, and a long-term rental vehicle, applying the recommended driving and maintenance practices.

Fuel consumption comparison over 1,000 km

Estimated annual savings

Assuming an average fuel price of €1.90/l and annual mileage of 15,000 km:

Analyzing the tables, we can deduce that the more modern and efficient the car, the more you can save by applying driving tricks. Car rental brings the maximum benefit, as it combines low consumption with regular maintenance included.

Technological efficiency

We have already seen how driving habits affect consumption, but even the most experienced driver has limits when the car is outdated.

The real difference, in terms of savings and efficiency, comes from modern engine technology.

Hybrid vehicles, for example, thanks to the combination of a thermal engine and a small electric motor, energy recovery during braking, and support during restarts and city driving, optimize every drop of fuel, reducing consumption by up to 20%, especially in urban and mixed routes.

Modern diesel engines have also made great strides. Thanks to more sophisticated turbochargers, advanced injection systems, and the latest particulate filters, Euro 6d-Final vehicles achieve high performance and low consumption while meeting the latest environmental standards.

A fundamental role in reducing consumption is also played by technological maintenance.

Modern cars are equipped with sensors and intelligent systems capable of optimizing consumption in real time, alerting to anomalies such as low tire pressure, and automatically managing functions like Start&Stop or energy recovery. In this way, every journey becomes more efficient without extra effort from the driver.

If you want maximum efficiency without worrying about maintenance Long-term rental represents an ideal solution:

• Always new cars with advanced technology
• Always optimal tires
• Service and inspections included
• Lower consumption and predictable costs

Good driving habits help reduce consumption, but the real revolution comes from technology, combined with constant maintenance and solutions like long-term rental, allowing significant savings while easing the stress related to fuel costs.

Want to cut management costs?

Rent your car long-term now

With Revirent24’s long-term rental you can:

• Drive cars with cutting-edge engines
• Always have tires in perfect condition
• Drastically reduce consumption and management costs

Take the step today towards a more efficient and convenient car.