Fuel costs can take a big bite out of your travel budget, but with a few smart habits, you can make every tank go further. Whether you’re already on the road or planning your first motorhome adventure, these fuel-saving tips will help you drive more efficiently and stretch your fuel budget.
1. Keep Your Tyres in Check
Under-inflated tyres make your engine work harder, chewing through fuel faster than necessary. Before every trip, check your tyre pressure and make sure it matches the recommended levels found on the tyre placard inside the driver’s door or in your owner’s manual. A good-quality pressure gauge is worth keeping on hand, as service station pumps can be unreliable.
Alignment matters too. If your wheels aren’t aligned properly, your motorhome has to fight against uneven resistance, which isn’t doing your fuel economy any favours. Keeping your tyres properly inflated and balanced is an easy way to improve efficiency and keep your travels smooth.
2. Ease Off the Accelerator
The way you drive has a big impact on how much fuel you use. Hard acceleration burns through fuel quickly, so try to ease onto the pedal smoothly. If you’re taking off from a stop, imagine you’ve got a cup of coffee on the dashboard—your goal is to accelerate without spilling a drop.
Speed is another factor. Pushing your motorhome faster than necessary means more wind resistance, more fuel usage, and not much time saved. At 120 km/h, you could be using up to 20% more fuel than at 100 km/h. Slowing down just a little increases your fuel efficiency, keeps more money in your wallet and makes for a more relaxed drive.
And if you’re spending a lot of time on the highway, cruise control is your best friend – don’t be afraid to use it.
3. Plan Your Route and Avoid Traffic
Stop-start driving eats up fuel, so the less time spent idling in traffic, the better. Where possible, plan your travel to avoid peak hours, busy city centres, and stop-and-go congestion. Mapping out your route ahead of time can help you bypass unnecessary detours, reduce time on the road, and ultimately save fuel.
If you’re heading into unfamiliar territory, apps like Google Maps and Waze can alert you to traffic delays and suggest alternate routes in real time, including toll-free routes.
4. Lighten the Load
The heavier your motorhome, the harder the engine has to work to keep it moving. That means more fuel used. Before hitting the road, do a quick check to make sure you’re not carrying extra weight you don’t need.
Water tanks, extra gear, and “just in case” supplies can add up fast. Carry only what’s necessary, and restock food and water as you go rather than hauling extra kilos across the country. If you’re not using a roof rack or external storage box, remove it to cut down on wind resistance. Small adjustments like these can make a big difference over a long trip.
5. Service Your Motorhome Regularly
A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently, which means better fuel economy. Regular servicing ensures your oil is fresh, filters are clean, and your engine is running at its best. Even something as small as a clogged air filter can reduce efficiency, especially if you’ve been travelling on dusty roads.
While you’re at it, get your brakes checked to make sure they aren’t dragging and have your wheel bearings greased. Little maintenance tweaks like these help your motorhome run more smoothly and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.
6. Use the Air Conditioning Wisely
Cranking up the air-con on a hot day feels great, but it can also burn through fuel faster than you’d think—up to 20% more. If you’re cruising through town or taking it slow on country roads, open the windows and let the breeze do the work. Once you’re on the highway, though, keeping the windows up reduces drag and helps your motorhome run more efficiently.
When you do need the air-con, using the recirculate function makes a big difference. It cools the air that’s already inside instead of constantly pulling in hot air from outside, so the system doesn’t have to work as hard. A little adjustment here and there can keep you cool without putting unnecessary strain on your fuel tank.
7. Turn Off the Engine When You’re Not Moving
Idling wastes fuel, plain and simple. If you’re parked or stuck waiting for a long time, turn the engine off instead of letting it run. Modern engines don’t need a warm-up period like older models, so there’s no need to let the motor run before setting off.
Ten minutes of idling can burn through about 300ml of fuel, which adds up over a long trip. If you’re stuck in a queue or pulled over for a break, switching off the engine is an easy way to save.
8. Shop Around for Fuel
Fuel prices can vary a lot from one station to the next, so a little research before filling up can help you save big at the fuel pump. Apps like Fuel Map Australia and PetrolSpy help you find the cheapest fuel in your area.
Supermarket chains and fuel providers often offer discount vouchers, and some motorhome clubs provide member discounts at partner service stations. If you’re travelling long distances, these small savings can add up quickly.
It’s also worth paying attention to the type of fuel you’re using. Some premium diesel blends cost more per litre but can improve fuel economy enough to make them a better deal in the long run. Keeping a fuel log and tracking your consumption can help you figure out what works best for your motorhome.
Choose Avida for Your Next Adventure
Fuel costs might be out of your control, but the way you travel isn’t. Small changes add up over long distances, leaving you with more to spend on the things that make the road trip worthwhile. So, plan ahead, drive smart, and make every drop count.
Wherever you travel, trust Avida to get there. With an extensive range of award-winning motorhomes for sale and campervans for sale, we’ve been helping Australians make unforgettable memories for more than 60 years. Explore our range online and start planning your next adventure with Avida.
