There is no denying the convenience of personal vehicles: they save you from awkward timings and crowded public transport, making your travel time more productive and mobile. Even without personal transport, many will rent a car in Dubai to move freely around the city and beyond. But with fuel prices continuing to climb, many drivers are searching for ways to save money.

Here are ways to keep a little extra cash in your pocket while you drive in comfort.

how to save on consumption

Where Do You Need to Cut Costs?

A majority of us desire the ease attached to owning a car and despise the idea of losing it to public transport. But given how fuel prices are going up, it’s important to take proactive steps to save money. The interesting aspect is that you can continue without cutting back on your normal travels within your vehicle, be it your own or a rental. The trick is to examine your spending to find possible savings.

First and foremost, it’s important to recognize that car maintenance should not be viewed as an expense that you can cut to save money. Failure to schedule timely services is a key reason for major breakdown and associated hazards, apart from the weariness of components and consumables along with increased costs associated with it.

Following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is a preventive step to avoid any sudden expense, which can save you a sizeable amount in the long run.

So we might not decrease how often we drive, nor can we really lower maintenance expenses, but we can control fuel consumption — an area over which we have a greater control. While manufacturers give estimates for the consumption of fuel, these numbers are generally based on ideal conditions that are far from reality. Aggressive driving can increase your fuel consumption by 10-40% so your driving habits play a big role, and if you optimize them to perform better without sacrificing the performance of your car, you will get better efficiency.

Things You Could Do To Reduce Fuel Consumption

Bear in mind that fuel consumption is not a constant; two people have the same car model but can have completely different consumption. A good way to figure out whether your spending on fuel is more than it should be is by comparing what you’re achieving to what the manufacturer recommends. If you are using 3-5 liters more than normal, its time for further investigation. Improving fuel consumption can save you 80-100 AED per 100 kilometers, based on refueling with high-quality 95 octane gasoline. Here are some ways influences on consumption and how to optimise them.

Regular Vehicle Service

Watch these key indicators:

  • Ignition System: Bad ignition can create a 9% spike in fuel consumption. Symptoms include power loss, unstable idle and jerky acceleration. To check your spark plugs, diagnose injectors and other components, please visit a service center.
  • Quality of Oil: Poor quality oil can cause excessive increase in consumption by 15%. Always use the manufacturer specified oil grade, and viscosity, and change it as per the maintenance schedule.
  • Cooling System: Fuel consumption can go up 5% due to an inefficient cooling system. Make sure your coolant flows at a temperature of 80-100 degrees for better performance, if it takes long to heat the car check the thermostat.
  • Clutch Wearing: Worn clutches can cause a 5% increase in fuel consumption If you find that engine revs are climbing but there’s not an accompanying increase in speed, it might be time for a replacement. It shouldn’t be cumbersome for the clutch to transfer torque — you most definitely need to save fuel.

So to avoid such problems, we do regular diagnostics in a service station. Should you decide to rent a car in Dubai, go with RentDrive.ae: our service provides scheduled maintenance and some of the cheapest car rental rates in Dubai.

Improve Aerodynamics

In fact, poor aerodynamics can add as much as 10% to the fuel figures. Even so, you can improve your vehicle’s aerodynamics by taking roof racks off when you’re not using them, and making sure there aren’t huge gaps in bumpers or such.

Many high-speed aficionados will, of course, bolt on a spoiler or other aero components, but it can be advisable to seek the services of a specialized tuning shop, in order to avoid selecting poor-fit components that may inhibit aero and ultimately costing dollars at the pump.

Be Aware of Air Conditioning Use

Fuel economy in summer months can be affected by air conditioning use. Use it sparingly to help prevent unnecessary fuel usage.

These tips also are good for keeping your bank account balanced while you enjoy the freedom and comfort of driving.