Despite the tank discount, drivers have to pay high fuel prices at Germany’s petrol pumps. Many get on their bikes or, thanks to the 9-euro ticket, on local public transport. Not everyone can do without the car. FOCUS Online says how you can save a lot of fuel and money with just a few changes.
Not only the price comparison can save drivers money when filling up. Simple actions can drastically reduce fuel consumption and thus costs.
Unnecessary ballast drives up the fuel bill. The ADAC has calculated that 100 kilograms of additional weight in the car result in up to 0.3 liters more fuel consumption per 100 kilometers. This is particularly noticeable in the city, where you often have to start and accelerate.
Beverage crates, inline skates, small items then want to get going again and again. So out with it. According to ACE, clearing out is particularly worthwhile for small and light cars. The heavier ones already bring so much weight with them that the effect is no longer so great.
Roof racks, roof boxes and racks for bicycles are also fuel guzzlers because of the greater air resistance. For example, a roof box with one to two liters more consumption per 100 kilometers can make itself felt, according to TÜV Süd. And according to the ADAC, a roof rack with two bicycles can increase consumption by up to 42 percent at a speed of 130. If they are no longer needed, it is better to dismantle them.
The ADAC advises shifting up at a speed of around 2000 revolutions per minute. The selected speed should then be maintained at low revs. Only switch back again when the engine jerks or hums. Some modern cars also show Eco shift recommendations on the speedometer display.
If you drive with foresight, you can use the braking effect of the engine for as long as possible instead of stepping on the brakes. In most cars, the fuel supply is switched off during overrun. Therefore, do not change gear if you roll up to a red traffic light, for example, or if you step off the gas early in front of a town.
If you generally drive at a constant speed and preferably not too fast, you keep consumption low, according to the ACE. Air resistance has a significant impact on fuel consumption at speeds above around 80 kilometers per hour. If the car has cruise control, it can contribute to smooth driving on freeways or flat roads.
Modern cars have an automatic start-stop system. If this is missing: simply turn the key yourself. According to the ADAC, the resulting additional load on the starter and battery is negligible, especially when the engine is warm.
Even those who only switch on the most necessary electrical devices in the vehicle can save. Comfort extras such as seat heating should only remain in operation for as long as necessary. Saving on safety-relevant things such as lighting, windshield wipers or windshield heating in winter would be wrong and dangerous.
And a properly tempered interior temperature also keeps the driver fit and thus ensures more safety. However, depending on the car, technology and use, an air conditioning system requires 0.3 to 1.5 liters more per 100 kilometers. So don’t cool down too much.
At higher speeds, open side windows or sunroofs increase fuel consumption by swirling the air flow. Open windows on both sides at 100 km/h increase fuel consumption by around 0.2 liters. At low speeds, such as in the city, they can, in turn, bring a significant fuel consumption advantage over air conditioning.
If you have too little air in your tires, you risk poor handling, longer braking distances and higher fuel consumption. According to ACE, just 0.5 bar less pressure in the tires than recommended by the manufacturer increases consumption by around five percent.
It is therefore better to check tire pressure at every second refueling stop and at least once a month.
Anyone who needs new rubber when changing to summer tires can think about fuel-saving tires. According to ADAC, they provide up to 0.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. In this way, the initially more expensive tires can pay off in the long run.
To find out the correct tire pressure when saving fuel, you should look at the sticker in the driver’s door frame.
Every year, TÜV, DEKRA and GTÜ check the defect rate of used cars with new statistics. FOCUS Online evaluates all available reports for you. Here you will find the most recent overviews from 2016.
Of course, good maintenance and care is important for older cars. But how do you find a good workshop? The portal Autoscout24 examined the customer ratings of garages in major German cities for FOCUS Online. You can find the results here .
According to ACE, refueling is most expensive during rush hour. It is usually cheapest at petrol stations between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., according to the ADAC as a rule of thumb.
There are also always significant price differences between the providers. In the morning, on the other hand, fuel prices are often quite high. Tank apps, such as those offered by ACE or ADAC, enable price comparisons to be made in real time.
Because fuel is already expensive enough, many drivers do without maintenance. But that is a serious mistake.
Too low an oil level increases engine consumption.
Regular checking of the air filter is also useful. If this becomes clogged, it makes the engine’s work more difficult and sometimes increases its thirst.
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