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Even cars associated with bogans can use crafty tricks to save petrol, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says.
With summer holiday drivers about to hit roads, EECA chief executive Mike Underhill said people should be aware of the ways they could save petrol.
"We want people setting off on road trips this holiday season to think about the way they're driving and how good technique can save fuel."
Mr Underhill said drivers had a lot to learn from the winners of the AA Energywise Rally, who drove a Holden Maloo V8 ute, a high performance vehicle, and managed to beat the manufacturer's stated fuel economy by 39 per cent.
"Owners of grunty cars like the Maloo may not be aware of its fuel economy potential. But drivers of any car can get more out of their fuel tank by lightening up on the accelerator and realising that modern engines pull well at lower revs."
Mr Underhill said keeping an eye on the road ahead meant drivers could avoid making sudden stops and losing momentum.
"Getting into a high gear quickly and staying in cruise mode as long as possible helped too," he said.
EECA also recommended travelling with as light a load as possible, and maintaining pressure in the tyres.
"A few simple measures can help save precious dollars at the petrol pump, so it's worth taking the time before you go on holiday to get the tyres pumped up, removing heavy objects like golf clubs from the boot if you're not going to use them, and taking the roof rack off the roof if you don't need it."
- NZPA
