Vehicles of all kinds rely heavily on gas to get to where they need to go. The price of fuel is detrimental to your limo service because fuel accounts for a large portion of the budget. Despite the inability to control or predict the trend of gas prices, there are plenty of ways to manage your business’ gas budget and significantly cut the overall costs.

Take a look at the following five ways your driver can reduce spending on fuel:

1. Drive with caution and care
If you are constantly speeding up, slowing down or slamming on the brake pedal, your tank level will diminish quickly, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Reckless driving can decrease your gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway.

Even when you are in a rush, speeding will only result in more trips to the gas station. When you surpass 50 miles per hour, it’s inevitable that your vehicle is going to eat up more fuel. If you are traveling on a highway for a long period of time, Meineke recommends putting your car in cruise control. This will help your car remain on the same speed and avoid speeding up too much, which wastes gas.

2. Maintain your vehicle
Your vehicle is like your body and it must be maintained all year long. All parts of it must be working properly in order for it to function. The fuel is the food that provides energy. If the engine isn’t regularly changed, it’s going to have to work harder and burn more gas. Avoid future problems and save money by continuously checking to make sure your car is in good shape. Change the oil if it is running low with the correct grade, depending on the make of your vehicle. If you’re using the wrong kind, it could cause your gas mileage to reduce by 1 or 2 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Other ways to impact your fuel economy include changing transmission fluid and fixing broken brakes. If the pressure in your tires is too low or too high, your engine will have to exert more energy to get the wheels turning. If there is a problem in your transmission or any other parts of the system that runs your car as a whole, fix it to improve gas mileage.

Turn off the A.C. and roll down the windows.

3. Prep for weather conditions
Summer spells good news for your gas mileage. When it’s hot outside, your engine will warm up without much effort, Meineke stated. But, there are still ways you can avoid guzzling gas even more. When it’s sunny and breezy outside, put down the windows to get some fresh air rather than blasting the A.C., according to U.S. News & World Report. To keep the interior cool, park in a shady area while you’re waiting to pick up your client.

When the temperatures drop, so does your car’s fuel economy. Meineke suggested conserving gas by constantly checking your tire pressures so that they can handle icy road conditions. Also bearing the cold for a moment will ultimately result in your car heating up at a faster rate. Instead of letting the engine run for a half hour before hopping inside, drive a minute after you have turned on the engine. Even if you are in park, having the engine running for a long period of time wastes precious fuel. Plus, your engine will heat up a lot quicker when it’s already cruising.

4. Remove extra baggage
Spring cleaning is applicable to your vehicle all year long. Don’t let the weight drag you down. Instead, de-clutter and remove any unnecessary items to help reduce the cost of fuel. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding extra cargo can add dollars to your gas bill. If your customer has heavy luggage, always place them in your trunk, according to Meineke.

5. Plan the shortest route
Take a shortcut to shed that extra time. Through Limo Anywhere’s driver mobile app, in-app mapping and GPS make it easy for you to plan the best routes for your customer.

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