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Refuel is currently a particularly expensive proposition. With a few tips on how to save fuel, however, you can curb the fuel consumption of your own vehicle.
The Fuel prices have risen continuously since the beginning of the year, so that expensive fuel is part of everyday life at German petrol stations. Drivers have little influence on pricing, but their behavior and the way they drive can save them fuel.
If you pay attention, you save
Even if it sounds like a truism: the driver has the greatest potential for savings. Those who are on the move with their heads and an overview save fuel. It is important to avoid full throttle driving. Every motorist who has driven a longer distance on the speed-limited motorways abroad has experienced how economical driving on the autobahn at the recommended speed can be.
In addition to grass, you should also avoid short-distance journeys if possible. The car consumes many times more here than on longer journeys. For short distances, it is better to switch to your bike or walk.
Note switching recommendation
Upshifting early is also important: modern petrol engines provide good torque values, so that even low-revving driving is not a problem. Even many small cars use a gearshift indicator to give recommendations for gearshifts. They show the driver the most economical point in time to shift up and down. At first it can be strange to roll through a town in high gear, but you quickly get used to following the guidelines, especially when the on-board computer shows less consumption.
You can keep fuel consumption within limits if you drive with foresight. If a red traffic light is in sight, you can let the car coast slowly and disengage it as late as possible in order to use the engine's overrun cut-off. If you take your foot off the accelerator, the injection units cut off the fuel supply, and at the same time the engine brakes the car without burning fuel.
Save fuel at the traffic lights
You can save fuel even when the car is at a standstill - either all by yourself or with a small movement. If an automatic start-stop system is on board, the vehicle switches off while waiting at a red traffic light or at a level crossing and automatically switches on again when driving off. In older cars, this can be done manually by turning the key.
The targeted use of electrical consumers also ensures less fuel consumption. Auxiliary heating or rear window heating is best only used until the windows are clear again. An air conditioning system should not be run in the "freezer area" all the time.
Hold the vehicle lightly
Correct air pressure also has a positive influence on fuel consumption. Aerodynamically unfavorable attachments, such as a roof rack, also increase fuel consumption. You should also pay attention to the weight: Regular clearing out of the vehicle - especially after vacation trips - helps to avoid transporting unnecessary ballast. Because every additional kilo increases consumption.
You can also save on refueling. If you want to refuel quickly and cheaply during a long journey, you should do so at a truck stop instead of at a rest stop directly on the motorway. If you can still choose the time to refuel, it is advisable to refuel in the evening rather than early in the morning. Between 5 and 8 a.m., fuel is usually more expensive than between 18 and 22 p.m. in the evening. A comparison of the petrol station providers also helps. If you don't want to look it up yourself, you can use petrol station apps that provide information about the prices.