Renting a car for self drive safaris in Uganda is undoubtedly one of the best ways to explore the beautiful lands in Uganda. Commonly preferred by independent travelers, Self drive is obviously something that can be done by many travelers who opt to visit Africa and in particular Uganda. Being realistic, don’t you personally just hate it when your car’s fuel gauge starts warning warning orange lights for fuel re-fill? Have you ever seen or encountered a scenario where you have to get out of the vehicle and rush on a bike to a nearby gas station or have you considered the safety of rental vehicle and your property? Time lost in such arrangements tends to ruin your travel plans and budget in Uganda. You don’t seem to like this, Do you? Just like we always recommend at the start and briefing when handing over the rental vehicle to you, Don’t wait until your car stops moving or until your fuel gauge starts warning. When self driving in Uganda, not only is it important to constantly fuel your rental car, but it is also important that you keep monitoring the fuel gauge to find out how much fuel you have left so you can always top up at the next recommended gas station. (Total or Shell gas stations).
More so it becomes more important not to keep your fuel gauge empty or warning even when hiring a car & Camping Gear for camping experiences. Some camping grounds like the Uganda National parks are always far from any nearby fuel stations or any nearby gas supply… So basically, its sound logic or lets say a must to keep your rental car gas up. We understand this comes with a cost but how to maintain and save this fuel is part of the Auto Rental Uganda Tips and tricks we would love to share with you. Here are some basic Tips on self drive travel in Uganda for saving fuel but still maintain Your budget and good of your rented car in Uganda. Thank us later.
1. Accelerate smoothly
The perfect way to save fuel is to self drive at a steady speed. We recommend a speed of 50km/h, and in the highest gear so if you are patient while driving, you will make less trips to the gas station during a self drive in Uganda.
2. Don’t push the accelerator too far down
Usually not just because of what gear your in. You maybe in a high gear and traveling at a steady speed but if you are pushing the accelerator down a long way to avoid changing into a lower gear (for example into third from fourth) then you’re using more fuel not less. This is of course if you are driving an automatic car, the car will do a better job than you of choosing which gear to be in so it’s not a problem for an automatic.
3. Turn the air-conditioning off
it’s acceptable and enticing to drive around while the air-con is on and yes,I agree it can get very humid in African countries or in the summer for some,. However the problem with air-con being on all the time while you drive is that it uses quite a bit of fuel, so we’d advise you turn it off when you can and drive with your windows down if it’s not raining.
4. Maintain enough tyre pressure.
Be advised that the lower the tyre pressure of your car is, the more fuel the car needs to move it down the road. We recommend that you take it part of your morning car check list before your start your next journey. You can normally find the right figures near the lock inside the driver’s door or you can drive to the nearest gas station and have your tyre pressures checked.
5. Avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
Not even for the Camping gear, Try as much as possible to ask for the least and all you want for the self drive trip in Uganda. Your Rental car needs more fuel to move around more weight. So just as you wouldn’t wear a heavy backpack unless if you really had to, don’t leave stuff laying around in the boot of your rental car. The heavier the item, the more fuel your car will consume on the journey.
6. Don’t drive during rush hours
Plan driving through traffic in No rush hours and your good for the first fuel save. Few things are as frustrating as being stuck in traffic jam. Not only is it an expensive way of traveling, every time you start and stop in traffic, your car needs first gear and a huge amount of fuel to get moving again. Second gear demand too so the best solution is to not travel at all if you can during the rush hours of the day in Kampala or major towns in Uganda. How about plan hours ahead of the traffic. Morning and evening are the common rush hours in Kampala.
7. Request for a NO roof Rack Rental car.
Most independent self drivers like to have roof racks on their cars even when they don’t necessarily use them most of the time, this increases drag and makes your car use more fuel. If you can’t do away with a roof rack.
8. Close your windows and sunroof if driving on the highway
Driving on the highway and moving more quickly, the shape of your car is very important. Car designers call it aerodynamics and make lots of effort to reduce ‘drag’ and make the car go as sleek as possible. Anything that makes noise while your car is moving is consuming more fuel. You can’t do much about the design of your car but you can avoid making it consume more fuel on the highway by not leaving the windows or sunroof open. Use the air vents or air-con if it gets too hot.
