Fuel Consumption

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14 October 2009 at 22:22

Spend less money at the pump and be kinder to the environment with our guide to saving fuel.

1. Stick to the speed limits

   Driving with a heavy right foot is not only less safe, but also forces your car's engine to work harder, using more fuel.

2. Leave the air con off

   Air conditioning is standard in many modern cars but frequent use of your air con can eat up fuel.

3. Try and avoid sudden braking and acceleration

   Sharp braking and accelerating can speed up your car's wear and tear. It can also mean you use up to 30% more fuel, so save money by reading the road ahead.

4. Keep tyres inflated correctly

   Over time, your car tyres will naturally leak a bit of air. To improve fuel consumption by up to 2%, check your tyre pressures regularly and keep them pumped up to the correct pressure.

5. Buy a newer car

   Splashing out may seem a strange way to save money, but modern cars are more fuel-efficient than older ones. A typical new £10k car could save you around £12 a week in fuel bills.

6. Get your car serviced regularly

   Regular maintenance and servicing improves the efficiency of your car which can improve your fuel consumption.

7. Take eco-driver training

   By far the biggest influence on fuel consumption is driving style. Just a few tweaks could really make a big difference to how efficiently you drive. Why not enrol on an eco-driving course to learn how to drive economically.

8. Don't carry unnecessary loads

   You car was designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, so take that roof rack or roof box off when you're not using it. An empty car will use less fuel than one with half a ton of tools in the boot for your overworked engine to lug around.

9. Travel at off-peak times

   Being stuck in traffic jams uses a lot of fuel. If you can, try to travel when the roads are at their least busy. Not having to keep stopping and starting is better for your stress levels too.

10. Plan your journey

    Getting lost isn't much fun and driving around aimlessly wastes fuel. Why not invest in a sat nav or use an online route planner before you travel, for maximum fuel efficiency.