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Almost five million trips were registered last year in the last special Traffic operation at the end of August, with which the holiday period for most Spaniards closes.

This year, the return adventure will start at noon on Friday, and will last until the middle of next week,

so there is enough time to plan the return avoiding traffic jams and congestion.

This will allow us to drive more relaxed and safer, but also more efficiently

by not having to stop and accelerate for miles.

If we also follow a series of simple tips, we will reduce the fuel bill even more.

Because let's not forget that, although fuel prices have dropped,

they are still through the roof: almost 1.80 euros per liter of gasoline and 1.86 for diesel,

without discounting the 20 cents of the discount approved by the Government.

And that means that a deposit of about 50 liters costs us between 80 and 83 euros.

Fuels are still through the roof

Following these instructions, which have been developed by the flexible renting company Northgate, also contributes to

preserving the mechanics of our car.

Do not use moving standstill

It is one of the false myths

since leaving the gearbox in neutral is only recommended when stopping the vehicle.

In the case of doing it in motion, in

addition to not being efficient and not saving fuel (the expense can be seen in the consumption computer), it can be dangerous

since the only way to stop the vehicle in that case will be by braking suddenly. excessive with which you can even lose part of the speed control.

It is best to drive in the highest gear, without accelerating, but

making sure that the engine does not fall below a number of revolutions that leave the car powerless in case of having to accelerate in an emergency.

Using neutral with the car in motion is a mistake and unsafe

The engine as a brake

Stopping the vehicle can not only be done by applying the brake, but also by intelligently using the engine.

Taking your foot off the accelerator will brake the car naturally, and downshifting will also allow the vehicle to slow down little by little

without abusing the brakes, which will also have a positive effect on the health of the brake pads. .

Anticipate gear change

It is common to think that by

accelerating a lot and upshifting when the revolutions have reached the limit, you are doing the right thing.

The reality is quite the opposite.

To improve driving efficiency, it is better to shift gears at a low RPM level.

Therefore, in the case of driving a gasoline vehicle, it must be done at a maximum of 2,500 revolutions;

If you drive a diesel combustion engine, the ideal is to do it without exceeding 2,000.

Cruise control allows you to maintain a stable speed

maintain a constant speed

It is true that in a traffic jam you cannot control the speed or the pace at which you are driving, but if the road is clear -

regardless of whether you are driving on the motorway or secondary road - maintaining a constant speed is an excellent way

of driving. efficient.

That is why it is also necessary to avoid, as far as possible, sudden accelerations.

The cruise controls that are already common are the best help in this regard.

And if they are adaptive, the better.

Use first gear only to get out

The first gear is basic to be able to get moving from a stop, but it is recommended to use it only for that.

Once we have accelerated and we notice that the car is revving, it is better to go up to second

so that the engine does not consume fuel unnecessarily even if the speed at which we drive is low, as can happen in a retention.

In sail mode or by inertia, we do not spend anything

Better long marches than short

In relation to the previous point, all this is applicable to the rest of the gears.

For this reason, and although we use the second and third more, for example, to drive on urban roads and the upper ones for secondary roads or highways, it is better to always drive with high gears.

The reason?

Avoid over-revving the engine and increasing fuel consumption during our journey.

Take advantage of car directions

Many modern cars have different driving programs.

One of them is of the ECO type to optimize consumption at the cost of slightly reducing the performance or operation of the air conditioning.

The latter should not be abused (having it at 22 or 23 degrees is enough) and, of course, do not open the windows when it is connected.

There are cars that warn us of this type of contradiction, of the most appropriate gear to use or when it is convenient to step on the clutch to downshift.

There are also those that, when they detect that we can move due to inertia, uncouple the motor so as not to waste.

Driving with low pressures increases consumption

Maintenance and planning

Other aspects are also important before setting off, such as avoiding excessive loads in the trunk or carrying packages on the roof that worsen aerodynamics.

It is also important to check the traffic conditions, plan the route and anticipate unforeseen events.

Finally, and this also applies throughout the year, correct vehicle maintenance is essential.

Especially the condition and pressure of the tires.

The great sin of many drivers is that they do not bother to check that pressure, so they circulate with a lower than recommended pressure, which varies according to the vehicle's load level, so it will have to be adjusted on time.

Going with slightly swollen wheels increases consumption and the possibility of a puncture and reduces the performance of the tire.

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