Why Fuel Efficiency Matters on Short Trips
It’s easy to assume that saving fuel is only important on long journeys, but short trips can be surprisingly fuel-inefficient. Starting your engine from cold burns more fuel, and with frequent stops or short distances, your car doesn’t have the chance to reach its most efficient running temperature.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to make those short drives more fuel-efficient, saving both money and emissions. Here are a few easy-to-follow tips that can make a big difference to your fuel consumption on everyday trips.
1. Drive Smoothly and Avoid Sudden Stops
A smooth, consistent driving style is key to saving fuel, especially on short trips. Avoid aggressive acceleration or heavy braking, as these actions waste fuel and strain your engine. Instead, aim to drive at a steady speed, accelerating gently and anticipating stops ahead, so you can ease off the accelerator early and coast to a stop.
Where possible, try to avoid sharp cornering or sudden speed changes; maintaining a smooth flow uses far less fuel than jerky driving. The less you have to brake and accelerate, the better for both your fuel efficiency and your car’s overall health.
2. Limit the Use of Air Conditioning
Air conditioning can be a major drain on fuel, especially during short trips. If you’re only driving a short distance and the weather isn’t unbearable, consider turning off the air conditioning or using the car’s ventilation system instead.
At lower speeds, open windows might offer a more fuel-efficient solution than the air conditioning, but be cautious at higher speeds. While open windows create drag and can lower fuel efficiency on faster roads, turning the air conditioning off altogether will save you more fuel in the long run.
3. Avoid Overloading Your Car
While it’s tempting to keep the boot full just in case, carrying unnecessary weight reduces fuel efficiency. Keep your car tidy and remove heavy items you don’t need, especially on shorter trips. Every extra kilogram in your car means more fuel burned.
Similarly, if you have roof racks or boxes on your car, remove them when they’re not in use. The extra drag can increase fuel consumption, especially at higher speeds. A streamlined car uses less fuel, so pack light and only take what you need.
4. Keep Your Tyres Properly Inflated
Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, which can lead to increased fuel consumption. Make sure to check your tyre pressure regularly, especially before short trips. Many modern cars have sensors that alert you when the tyres are low, but it’s still a good idea to check manually if you notice any unusual changes in handling or fuel efficiency.
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure, as specified by your car’s manufacturer, ensures that your tyres are working at their most efficient, saving you money at the petrol pump.
5. Plan Your Route
Taking the most direct and least congested route can save you a lot of fuel on short trips. If you can, try to plan your trips during times when traffic is light, so you’re not stuck idling in queues. Even a few extra minutes in traffic can waste a significant amount of fuel.
Using a GPS app or a traffic-tracking service like Google Maps or Waze can help you avoid jams and find the quickest routes, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.
6. Turn Off Your Engine When You’re Stopped
If you’re stopped for more than a minute, such as at a railway crossing or in heavy traffic, it’s often more fuel-efficient to turn off your engine rather than letting it idle. While older cars used to waste more fuel restarting, modern engines are designed to use less fuel when restarted than they do idling.
While it might not make a huge difference on very short trips, turning off the engine during long stops can save fuel, especially if you’re sitting at traffic lights or stuck in a queue.
7. Service Your Car Regularly
Regular car maintenance can help keep your vehicle running efficiently, preventing unnecessary fuel consumption. An engine that’s well-maintained, with clean oil, air filters, and spark plugs, burns fuel more efficiently. In addition, regular servicing can catch small issues before they become larger, costlier problems that could reduce fuel economy.
Keep up with oil changes, check your air filters, and ensure your car is tuned up regularly to maximise fuel efficiency.
Useful UK Resources
Even small changes in your driving habits can make a noticeable difference to your fuel consumption. By being mindful of how you drive and maintaining your car properly, you can make every short trip more fuel-efficient, saving you money while reducing your environmental impact.
Know someone who’s always on short trips? Share these tips and help them save fuel!