10 ways to save fuel
Fuel. Who on earth can afford it these days? Prices have almost doubled compared to ten years ago, but there are still ways to make a little fuel go a lot further.
Fuel. Who on earth can afford it these days? Prices have almost doubled compared to ten years ago, but there are still ways to make a little fuel go a lot further.
Check your tyres: It's an obvious one, yet so few of us actually do it. If your tyres are under-inflated, the engine will be putting in extra effort. Keep them pumped up to the correct level and you'll improve your fuel economy by 5%.
Offload extra weight: No, we're not talking about your other half. Remove all unecessary baggage from your car before you travel, especially bulky or heavy items like roof racks and carriers.
Don't fill up: A full fuel tank carries more weight, so it makes sense to fill it half full instead of right up to the brim each time.
Stick to 60: Driving just under the 60mph mark rather than 70mph will knock a hefty 25% off your fuel consumption. Slightly frustrating when you're being overtaken by Robins on the M54, but worth it in the long run!
Drive in high gears: Using low gears consumes the most fuel. Necessary when you're driving around 30mph or built-up-areas, but at higher speeds, keep your gear as high as possible.
Service regularly: Keeping your car's performance at its peak condition means regular services. This could knock more than 10% off your fuel bill.
Keep air-con down: Air conditioning burns excessive fuel, so keep the vents open to let air circulate but only use the air-con when you need to.
Switch off: Don't burn fuel when you're not going anywhere. If you're stuck in traffic, slow-changing lights or waiting to pick someone up, switch the engine off. 'Warming the engine' for long periods of time is also unnecessary.
Close the windows: It's good to have a fresh air supply, especially on long journeys or when you're feeling tired, but driving with the windows down (especially at high speeds) vastly increases the drag on your engine.
Explore other options: Cut your fuel bill in half and reduce wear and tear by car sharing with someone else. Have a look at www.liftshare.org to find other car sharers in your area.
By Lara Page
