Driving tip will save you HUNDREDS on fuel & it’s totally free – here’s how
DRIVING experts have shared their top tip to save you HUNDREDS on fuel – and it won’t cost a penny.
Through improving fuel efficiency, you can stretch out your household budget, pros at Quotezone.co.uk found.
Advice on cutting costs includes checking online for the cheaper local petrol stations and including them as part of an upcoming journey.
But the main contributor to fuel consumption – aside from distance travelled – is speed.
Faster driving use fuel inefficiently, with the optimal fuel-efficient speed for most cars standing at just 45 to 50 mph.
But the best free way to save you breaking the bank on fuel is to be mindful of your motor’s weight.
When your vehicle is carrying extra weight, the engine will require more fuel to travel at the same speed as a lighter vehicle.
With that in mind, it’s worthwhile taking out the more cumbersome equipment when you hit the road.
Taking the golf clubs out of the boot and not filling the tank to the brim are two sure-fire ways to cut some excess weight.
Greg Wilson, founder of Quotezone, said: “Frugal drivers can get the maximum mileage from the fuel tank by incorporating money-saving driving techniques into their everyday journeys.
“Eco-driving can have a huge impact on how much money you spend at the petrol pump.
“Besides choosing the cheapest petrol station and the right speed, there are a number of other simple tricks that can help you make fuel go further, including decluttering the boot and checking tyre pressure.”
Eight ways you can save fuel
- Remove excess weight
The heavier the car, the harder the engine has to work, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Make sure to declutter your car and clear out the boot to reduce some weight.
- Regular maintenance
Keeping the car in good condition ensures that the vehicle runs efficiently which also helps fuel economy. It may be a bit costly to service the car, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run.
- Drive smoothly
Sudden braking and speeding up burns more fuel and that’s why it’s important to gauge the flow of traffic. Gentle acceleration and steady speed ensure the most economical use of fuel.
- Change gears as early as possible
Switching into the highest possible gear keeps the revs low which saves petrol. For example, at a 40 mph speed the car will consume 25 per cent more fuel in third gear compared to fifth. Under normal conditions the gears should be changed when the revs are between 1,500-2,000 rpm.
- Check tyre pressure
It’s important to make sure that the tyres are inflated to the right pressure, because underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance which means that the engine has to work harder. The car can consume 5% more fuel for every 0.5 bar drop in pressure.
- Avoid idling
Drivers shouldn’t leave the engine running while they’ve stopped because it’s bad for the environment and wastes fuel. It’s worth switching off the engine when the car is stationary for even a few minutes.
- Turn off additional functions
The vehicle’s add-on functions, like air conditioning and seat heaters, should only be used, when necessary, as they drain the car’s battery as well as the petrol tank.
- Don’t fill the tank to the brim
Fuel is heavy, so if the tank is filled to the top, then there is more unnecessary weight that the car has to carry.