Five tips to save fuel and drive clean during Easter Week trips

There are many external factors that affect the fluctuation of fuel price. In contrast to these, which the driver cannot control, there are others that he not only can control but also will help him increase his car efficiency and reduce fuel costs. Some examples are practicing an efficient driving mode or having the vehicle in proper maintenance conditions before going out on the road.

In view of Easter Week's trips, LeasePlan recommends following some simple guidelines that will allow drivers to save fuel, on the one hand, and pollute less, on the other:

Using cruise control The use of cruise control on long stretches of motorway driving allows you to save fuel because it contributes to keeping the car at a constant speed. However, this efficiency is lost when trying to maintain speed on steep slopes. In mountain environment is best to deactivate it. **

Using the right gear** The longer gear you use when driving, the lower will be the engine speed, improving fuel efficiency. Shifting to a higher gear will help you force less the engine power. But you have to do it in the correct moment, when you start the ride or when accelerating, and always without reaching the red area of the rev counter.

Wheels with the right pressure With the right pressure on the wheels, the car range can be improved by an average of 0.6% - up to 3%. Deflated tyres can reduce the range by 0.3% for every 0.1 kg/cm2 drop in the average pressure of all tyres. The correct pressure can be checked inside the driver's door or in the vehicle manual.

Anticipate yourself! It is important to anticipate when driving. For example, slow speed down a little earlier to let the traffic light change instead of stopping completely, or accelerate a little before starting a hill. It's also advisable to leave a wide distance between your car and the one in front of you so you have enough time to brake evenly. **

Window or air conditioning?** Use the windows or air conditioning (A/A) to cool the vehicle in summer? Who hasn't been part of this debate before? Finally, we’ve got an answer to this question: there is an ideal time and place to use each option.

Switching the A/A on is the main cause of fuel mismanagement in hot climates. Its effect depends on several factors such as the outside temperature or the humidity and intensity of the sun. In hot conditions the A/A can reduce the vehicle's fuel efficiency by more than a 25%, especially on short distances, so it is best to limit its use to highway speeds. However, driving with the windows down can also reduce fuel efficiency and increase wind resistance, making the vehicle use more energy to move forward. The windows should, therefore, be lowered only when driving at reduced speeds.