7 +1 Tips for fuel-efficient driving

Tips and techniques to save fuel

1. Avoid sudden speed changes
   
   Driving with a steady speed and avoiding hard braking and quick acceleration that increase fuel consumption, is the first step to fuel-efficient driving. On long journeys, turn on your car’s cruise control system to save fuel by maintaining a stable speed. A speed difference of 12 km/h can reduce fuel consumption by up to 23%.
   
   
   
2. Turn off the engine when stopping for long periods of time
   
   Whenever you need to stop for more than 60 seconds, turn off the engine! Although the engine of a stationary car is idling, so that it consumes less fuel, when it is turned off it saves even more fuel. Another practical tip is to not put on the neutral gear when on downhills. It is a "myth" and not a "secret" to saving fuel, since it increases fuel consumption, rather than reducing it, as the engine continues to run without the "engine brake" that might be necessary. So always use your gears while driving.
   
   
   
3. Use engine braking
   
   Whenever possible, try to stop by taking your foot off the accelerator to take advantage of the back pressure the transmission puts on the engine, before applying the brakes. Downshift and the engine will slow down the car. This technique is especially useful when approaching a roundabout or a red light.
   
   
   
4. Air-conditioning or open windows
   
   Air-conditioning is one of the elements that consumes the most fuel, between 4% and 10% according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). However, opening the windows also contributes to increased fuel consumption, as the air that enters the car creates an aerodynamic drag that slows down and makes the engine work harder. It is recommended for more fuel-efficient trips to use the car's internal ventilation system with the air conditioning off.
   
   
   
5. Tire pressure
   
   Keep your car’s tires inflated to the correct level of pressure to improve fuel consumption by an average of 0.6% - 3%. If the tires are under-inflated, your fuel consumption increases. To confirm that the tires have the appropriate pressure, check the information on the driver's door or car owner's manual. Even 1 psi less pressure vs the recommended, affects fuel efficiency and reduces it up to 3%. It is therefore recommended that you check the tire pressure once a week or at each refueling.
   
   
   
6. Carry as little weight as possible
   
   Remove the car’s roof racks when not in use, as they result in increased aerodynamic resistance and therefore increased fuel consumption. Remove unnecessary load from the vehicle, such as snow chains during the summer months. For every 45 kg the car carries, fuel efficiency can decrease by 1-2%. The lighter the load, the lower the fuel consumption.
   
   
7. Engine Operation
   
   A dirty car engine increases fuel consumption. Worn petrol engine spark plugs or a dirty engine air filter can increase fuel consumption by up to 5%. And that’s one more reason to adhere to the regular service schedule as per the manufacturer's recommendation. Use the engine oil recommended by the manufacturer, as it can increase fuel efficiency by 1-2%. The use of a higher quality lubricant also helps fuel efficiency.

Special Tip: Go for Electric Mobility

Electromobility is the most fundamental change you can do towards efficient driving! Based on the current tariff policy for gasoline and electricity, it is estimated that the annual profit for a driver who "switched" to green technology can reach up to 28%. In addition, it is possible to recharge an electric car for free at parking lots with free access to public chargers, or while you visit a hotel, restaurant or retail chain.

Benefits of Electric mobility

• It does not produce any kind of pollutants.
• It causes minimal pollution in the long-term, provided it uses electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
• Reduces dependence on oil and therefore the annual fuel expenditure by up to 28%.
• It is completely silent and therefore contributes to the reduction of urban noise pollution.
• It has low maintenance costs, as the electric engine usually adopts only five moving parts, compared to a thousand or more moving parts of internal combustion engines.

Autohellas Hertz currently has the largest fleet of electric cars in Greece. By 2025, it is estimated that 25% of our car fleet will be electric, contributing significantly to 'green' mobility.