How to have a fuel-efficient family road trip

There are three words South Africans are sick of hearing: Fuel price hike. If the projections of financial experts are anything to go by, another increase is likely to happen in December. That’s a huge disappointment for those who want nothing more than to take an epic road trip with their family. But if there’s something we know about South Africans, it’s that they don’t let anything get in the way of their December fun time.  

Plenty of families are determined to hit the road with their loved ones, regardless of the increasing fuel prices. Fortunately, there’s a solution that doesn’t require them to dig deeper into their pockets. If you’re keen on embarking on a family road trip this December, you’ll have to practise fuel-efficient driving.  

Here are few tips to help you get more out of the liquid gold in your tank.  

Maintain a steady speed  

Contrary to popular belief, driving much slower doesn’t drastically reduce your car’s fuel consumption. Here’s a quick science lesson: Most cars’ peak fuel efficiency is somewhere between the 80 to 100km/h range. Any faster, and aerodynamic drag (the force that’s opposing your car’s forward motion) forces your engine to work harder to keep up the momentum. Any slower, and you’ll soon need to shift to a lower gear, which requires more fuel to maintain motion. The real trick to peak fuel efficiency is keeping a steady speed. Quick acceleration does a real number on your petrol tank, with some studies showing that varying or increasing your speed between 75 and 85km/h every 18 seconds increases fuel consumption by 20%. If you want to get a bit more mileage out of your tank, try to maintain a constant speed.  

Have fun  

No, seriously. This ties in to the previous point. Aggressive acceleration and braking guzzles a lot of fuel, so try to enjoy yourself as much as you can. When you’re considering where to stop, remember that road trip pit stops are not just places to stretch your legs and refuel: They’re also the only break you might have for hours. You’ll want to stop at a place that’s fun enough to keep the kids entertained, and boasts a menu filled with your favourite meals. If this sounds like Engen Wimpy, you’re right on the money. When you’re planning your trip, make sure it’s your pit stop of choice. You won’t be the only one who enjoys it: Your kids will have a good time, too. Get a PAW Patrol collectable every time you order a Kids’ Combo Meal.  

Roll down the windows  

When you’re going to spend quite a bit of time in a car, comfort is key. A lot of people don’t hesitate to switch on the air conditioner when it gets a bit toasty in the car. But rolling down the windows works just as well, and it’s a lot gentler on your fuel tank.  

Choose the right gear  

Change into top gear as soon as you can without harsh acceleration. Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel. The same goes for driving in the highest gear on hills and corners.  

Paying attention to your style of driving can have a massive effect on your car’s fuel consumption. With petrol prices going up faster than a disappearing Wimpy sharing meal at a family outing, it’s in your best interest to get as much mileage as you can out of your fuel. Who knows? Maybe that extra cash in your pocket can get you another Classic Shake at an Engen Wimpy. Or maybe you can fill up your tank before you head on out to the road again.