You’re cruising down a remote highway, singing along to a few tunes on the stereo and enjoying the scenery then BOOM, out of nowhere, the fuel light comes on.

You could have sworn you just filled up, but now you’re in the middle of nowhere with no idea how far it is to a petrol station.

Luckily, modern technology and a few handy apps can help you figure out how far it is to the next fuelling station, but where did that last full tank go?

Here are some handy tips to help you conserve fuel and get the most mileage out of a tank.

Buy smart

Firstly, don’t get a petrol-guzzling monster truck if you’re in the market to buy. Do some research on fuel-efficient models; there’s sure to be one that suits your needs.

Slow down

We know how tempting it is to put the pedal down when you see an open road ahead of you, but soon enough you’ll need to slow down again. Accelerating then slowing, accelerating then slowing really drains the fuel. Driving at a consistent speed – and always under the speed limit – will ensure you conserve fuel and it’ll also save some wear and tear on your brakes. When you’re travelling long distances, use cruise control if you have it.

Shut it off

If you’re at a standstill in traffic for more than 30 seconds or waiting for the world’s longest freight train to clear the intersection, turn your car off. Even if it’s just for a minute, it can help you save fuel as firing up uses less than idling for too long.

Be aware of air

Sure, it’s lovely to drive around on a pleasant day with the windows down and in built up areas, that’s fine. But on highways, it can cause an aerodynamic drag that forces your engine to work harder. And when it works harder – you guessed it – it uses more fuel. Operating the air conditioner is a bit of a controversial one – some studies say it uses more fuel, others says it’s not much different to the drag created by open windows. It really comes down to the type of car – and air conditioner. The best advice is to use the aircon only when necessary and never run it with the windows down!

Never tire of tyres

Keep an eye on your car’s tyre pressure. Making sure they’re at the correct pressure for your car can increase fuel economy by as much as 3%. Also, keeping them properly and regularly aligned will reduce road drag. For more information on looking after your tires to help your car run at it’s best, read our article, here.

Maintenance is key

Make sure your car’s air filter is clean. An old, dirty one can increase fuel consumption. Same goes with spark plugs, change them before they’re due so they don’t start misfiring and costing you precious fuel. You can book an appointment with a local mechanic, here.

Lighten up

Clean out your car’s boot. Driving around with a boot full of old clothes and kitchen appliances you keep forgetting to drop off at the Salvos will force your engine to work harder. Lighten the load whenever possible, but never – ever – take out the spare tyre or jack and tools.

Be a planner

Plan your trips. Don’t go out three times a day when you really just need to make a list of what you need and do it all in one trip. The more trips, the more fuel you use.

Buy early

If you know you’re going on a road trip over a long weekend, buy fuel during the week when it’s likely to be cheaper.  Don’t overfill the tank – trust the auto shutoff, and make sure your fuel cap is tight so you don’t lose fuel by evaporation. Also be sure to buy the right type of fuel for your car. You can usually find this information when you open the fuel catch.

The obvious way to conserve fuel is to use your car less, but if you love being behind the wheel, these tips can help increase the time between visits to the petrol station.