Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Drivers Spend More On Gasoline And Ethanol Than They Imagine: Save Up To R$ 3,000 On Fuel In Your Pocket With Small Changes In Your Driving Style
With fuel prices constantly rising in Brazil, no one wants to waste a drop of gasoline or ethanol. Saving at the pump has become almost a national sport. But what few people realize is that certain habits behind the wheel and even small details in the car may be increasing fuel consumption without you realizing it.
And we’re not talking about major changes. Simple things like tire pressure, use of air conditioning, or carrying extra weight make a big difference at the end of the month. To give you an idea, a survey by the Brazilian Association of Automotive Engineering (AEA) shows that inadequate practices can increase consumption by up to 30%.
Want to understand how this happens in practice? Come with me.
-
Renault Kwid bids farewell to Brazil: the model that was once the cheapest in the country lost ground after selling only 217 units in 2026, is removed from the brand’s website, and ends the trajectory of Renault’s electric compact in the Brazilian market.
-
New Michelin tire arrives in Brazil offering more durability, safety, resistance, and lower noise emission for sedans and SUVs, including hybrid and electric vehicles — meet the Michelin Primacy 5.
-
Ford confirms the electric van Transit City for Brazil in 2026 with up to 250 km of range, fast charging in 30 minutes, and a focus on urban deliveries as last-mile logistics gain traction in the country.
-
Larger than the Toyota Hilux and with a range of 71.9 km/l, the new Jetour F700 PHEV emerges with 1,631 hp, four electric motors, charging from 20% to 80% in 10 minutes, and a size close to the Ram 1500.
Heavy Foot And Sudden Braking: Up To 30% Waste
If you are one of those who love to accelerate hard at the traffic light or slam the brakes in traffic, it’s time to reevaluate these habits. Every time the engine needs to respond to a sudden acceleration, it consumes more fuel. And every hard braking represents wasted energy.
“The ideal is to adopt a smooth driving style, anticipating traffic situations”, explains Vitor Sabag, fuel specialist. “This way, the engine operates in a more efficient range and consumption drops significantly.”
Planning your speed reductions and keeping your foot light can help you save up to 30% on fuel expenses. A relief for your wallet.
Shifting Gears At The Wrong Time: Up To 15% More In Expenses
If you drive a manual car and like to “stretch” the gears to the limit, know that this weighs on the tank. The engine runs at very high RPMs and burns more fuel.
On the other hand, driving at very low RPMs is also not ideal, as the engine ends up operating inefficiently.
The tip is to respect the right moment to shift gears, preferably following the shift indicator that many newer models display on the dashboard. According to experts from Revista Autoesporte, adopting this practice can reduce daily consumption by up to 15%.
Under-Inflated Tires: Up To 10% More Gasoline Or Ethanol Consumption
This is one of the most common mistakes. When you drive with tires that have pressure below the recommended level, the contact area with the ground increases. The result: the engine has to work harder to keep the car moving.
According to Bridgestone Brazil, poorly inflated tires can increase consumption by up to 10%. The recommendation is to check tire pressure at least once a week and always follow the owner’s manual guidelines.
Air Conditioning On All The Time: Up To 10% More In The Tank
It’s hard to give up comfort, especially in the Brazilian heat. But know that air conditioning doesn’t work for free: the compressor “steals” power from the engine, increasing fuel consumption.
Studies from SAE Brazil indicate that continuous use of air conditioning can increase consumption by up to 10%. On short trips or in mild weather, consider using only forced ventilation to ease the expenditure.
Extra Weight In The Car: Up To 2% More For Every 50 Kg
You know that pile of junk we forget in the trunk? Well, every extra weight increases the car’s effort, which consequently consumes more fuel.
According to data from AEA, for every additional 50 kg transported, consumption can rise by up to 2%. So it is worth it to clear out the trunk and only carry the essentials day to day.
Engine Running With The Car Stopped: Up To 1 Liter Of Fuel Wasted Per Hour
Another habit that many people have is leaving the car running when parked, whether to listen to music or keep the air conditioning working.
This habit costs dear: a medium car consumes up to 1 liter of fuel per hour while idling, according to research by Petrobras Distribuidora. Therefore, the tip is simple: turn off the engine whenever you stop for more than a few minutes.
At The End Of The Day, Fuel Waste Adds Up
Vitor Sabag sums up the financial impact of these bad habits:
“If we consider a car that drives 1,500 km per month and averages 10 km/l, the fuel expense would be 150 liters per month. If gasoline costs R$ 6.00 per liter, that amounts to R$ 900.00 monthly. If the driver wastes 30% due to bad habits, they throw away about R$ 270.00 per month or over R$ 3,000.00 per year”, warns the specialist.
Small changes in your driving style can make a big difference in your budget. And with fuel getting more expensive, every little bit helps. Now that you know, how about adopting a more economical and intelligent driving style? Your wallet and the environment will thank you.
Be the first to react!