Fuel prices keep swinging, and for anyone planning a driving holiday — whether it's a South African road trip or a long haul closer to home — the petrol bill can quietly become one of the biggest line items in the budget. The good news: you have more control over consumption than you might think. A recent guide from Getaway South Africa lays out five habits that help motorists squeeze more kilometres out of every tank, and most of them cost nothing.
First, keep the car properly maintained. Regular servicing, clean filters and the correct grade of engine oil all help an engine run as designed. One often-overlooked detail: repeated short trips in stop-start traffic never let the engine reach its optimal operating temperature, which hurts efficiency. Combining errands into a single outing beats several cold starts — very relevant when you're ticking off sights on a road trip.
Second, cut aerodynamic drag. Roof racks and roof boxes add resistance, especially at highway speeds, so take them off when you don't need them. Closing the windows at higher speeds helps too, though the article is refreshingly honest that cleaning your car — while nice — won't do much for your fuel figure.
Third, check your tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and burning more fuel in the process. Match the manufacturer's recommended pressures (usually in the owner's manual or on a sticker in the driver's door frame), and inspect tyres for uneven wear, damage and age while you're at it. In South Africa, petrol attendants will often check pressures for you.
Fourth, plan your journeys. A quick look at a navigation app before leaving can steer you clear of congestion, where constant accelerating and braking wastes fuel. Anticipation matters behind the wheel too: easing off the accelerator early instead of braking hard at the last moment keeps things smooth and efficient.
Finally, drive at a steady pace. Gentle acceleration and consistent speeds use less fuel than aggressive stop-go driving. Cruise control works well on flat highways, but on hilly terrain it can be smarter to adjust manually as the road changes. If your car has an Eco mode, it's worth understanding how it works. And the age-old air-con-versus-windows debate? Air conditioning uses energy, but open windows create drag at speed — so pick based on conditions.
For travellers, this is practical money-saving advice rather than headline news. On a long road trip — think the Garden Route, Namibia's vast distances, or a cross-border self-drive — small savings compound quickly. Combine errands, keep tyres inflated, remove unused roof gear and drive smoothly, and you'll spend less at the pump and more on the actual holiday. No single trick makes a dramatic difference; it's the accumulation of these small habits that stretches a tank.
Full details at Getaway South Africa.
