With prices seemingly going up every single day, knowing some basic tips to save fuel could make a big difference to your wallet over time. During June, prices regularly hit new records, averaging around 191p per litre of petrol and 199p per litre of diesel. Although prices came down slightly over July and going into August, they still remain significantly higher than they were at the start of the year. And despite government efforts to curb price rises, continuing global uncertainty means there is no guarantee that costs will not go up again.
Avoid driving aggressively.
One of the best ways to save fuel is to drive more carefully. Harsh acceleration and braking will greatly decrease your cars fuel efficiency. Focus on driving as smoothly as possible, anticipate when you are likely to have to slow down or accelerate, and take action in plenty of time to avoid having to make sudden changes to your speed.
Additionally, once you’re up to speed try and stay in as high a gear as possible. For most cars, keeping your revs low will keep fuel consumption to a minimum. An easy way to do this is to use cruise control, if your car has it. This will keep your speed steady and your fuel consumption as low as possible.
Reduce wind resistance as much as possible.
An estimated half of your car’s fuel consumption is spent overcoming wind resistance and your tyres friction against the road. Make sure that you don’t leave roof bars or boxes on your car unnecessarily as they will greatly increase wind resistance, forcing your engine to work harder and guzzle more fuel. Also, keep your windows shut as much as possible. Cars are designed for the air to flow over their bodies, but having the windows open disrupts this and increases drag.
Keep AC use to a minimum.
Aircon use is quite energy intensive, so to save fuel try and use it as sparingly as possible. During the summer months some use is likely to be necessary, but often times it is left on continuously during drives in hot weather. Instead, try turning on the AC only until the car is sufficiently cool and then turn it off again.
Get your car serviced regularly.
Over time your car will become less and less efficient. This is due to components getting worn which increases friction, and grit accumulating in lubricants, which reduces their viscosity and prevents them from doing their job properly. Getting your car serviced at regular intervals will help keep these problems in check and keep your engine running as smoothly as possible. This, in turn, will allow you to save fuel and keep your costs down.
Some people put off getting their car serviced due to the upfront cost, but it is almost always worth it, especially if you drive regularly or for long distances, and it will save you money in the long run.
Think about if you really need to travel.
The best way to save fuel is to not use it in the first place. With fuel prices skyrocketing, it’s definitely worth looking into ways to reduce the number of miles you drive. Public transport, carpooling and even walking or cycling are great alternatives to driving, and have the added benefit of helping the environment (and maybe even your health).
Another idea is to consider having your groceries delivered instead of driving to get them. Most supermarkets will have a small charge for delivery, but this can often work out cheaper than the cost of the fuel you would use driving to the shops.