Top ten tips for cost-effective spending on diesel and fuel on road trips

As the 4th July approaches, people across America will take to the road to get to their destination of choice. But with the increasing costs of fuel, drivers are looking for ways to save money on the road ahead of their vacations and day trips.

In light of this, the car subscription experts at FINN reveal ten top tips that could really make a difference to your spending on diesel and fuel:

1. Make sure your tires are properly inflated: If your tires are low on air, this means your tires can eventually degrade while handling and braking and wear more rapidly, causing them to overheat and blow out. It’s important to ensure your tyres are properly inflated before setting off.
2. Look after your vehicle: It’s super important to maintain your vehicle against the manufacturer’s recommendations, as regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity. Don’t leave it too late to notice an issue, perform regular checks whenever possible to stay on top of any issues.
3. Always stick to the speed limit: This tip goes without saying, however, some drivers forget that going over the speed limit could cost them a lot in fuel. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph. Another tip is to adjust your speed to “time” the traffic lights. This reduces repeated braking and acceleration that consume additional fuel.
4. Reduce the use of your air conditioning:Air conditioning requires a decent amount of fuel to cool down your car, so only use it when necessary. When you are driving at lower speeds, open your windows as an alternative option to cool down.
5. Remove any extra weight from your car: Wherever possible, minimize the use of roof racks, or special carriers when they’re not in use. On the highway, even an empty bike or ski rack can reduce fuel economy, with loaded racks or car-top containers having a massive effect on your gas mileage.
6. Download a fuel price app: Apps such as Upside and GasBuddy are super useful as you will be able to find the cheapest garage for fuel prices near you and it can be super quick to check before you need to fill up. Getting into the habit of checking every time you need to fill up can help you save a lot of money in the long run, even if it only seems like a small amount at the time.
7. Drive effectively: It’s important to use your gears effectively to make sure you are never revving too high and causing unnecessary fuel consumption. It’s also important to brake and accelerate progressively, as slamming on the brakes uses a lot of fuel. Reading the road and keeping it at a safe distance is more relaxing as well as more economical.
8. Consider car sharing: If you’re commuting to work every day consider buddying up with a colleague to share the driving and split the cost. It’s also more environmentally friendly doing this if there’s a group of people commuting to the same place every day.
9. Don’t top off your fuel tank: Topping off your fuel tank can really saturate the emissions system with fuel, potentially causing a fuel spill when the fuel warms up. When the fuel nozzle clicks off, the tank is full, don’t add any more fuel or round up the dollar amount on the fuel pump.
10. Keep your vehicle clean:Perhaps a surprising fuel-saving tip, however, mud, dirt and even bugs on the exterior of your car can create drag, which, over long distances can impact your MPG range. Keeping your vehicle washed and waxed reduces your vehicle’s aerodynamic drag, therefore improving your overall fuel economy.