Our top 8 fuel saving tips

Worried about rising fuel prices?

We’ve gathered some of the best fuel saving tricks and put them in a list for you here!

With the ever-increasing fuel prices and the cost-of-living crisis in full swing, drivers everywhere are worried about spending extortionate amounts of money on fuel. At the time of writing, the RAC says the average petrol price is 191.53p per litre, with diesel at 199.03p per litre.

Not happy about those rising numbers?

Not to worry! There are several ways you can improve your fuel economy to save you money as well as reduce your contribution to air pollution. We’ve put together a list of fuel saving tips to help cut the cost of driving.

Ranging from driving techniques to maintenance checks, these are all things you can incorporate into your normal driving routine to save you fuel.

So, if you’re looking for some of the best ways to reduce your fuel consumption, you’ve come to the right place!

1. Check your tyres

Check your tyre pressures regularly, as it could be costing you a small fortune in fuel.

Underinflated tyres can use up extra fuel because an inflated tyre distributes the weight of the vehicle perfectly. Therefore, if a tyre is underinflated, it creates more resistance and the engine has to work harder.

Be careful not to overinflate your tyres as this could lead to further problems such as a blowout. Always check your manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure level to avoid this if doing it yourself.

2. Don't use air conditioning/heater

Don’t use air conditioning or the heater unless you really need it. Using the A/C or the heater uses engine power which therefore uses fuel.

However, opening a window instead can also create drag.

It’s worth basing it on the speed that you’re travelling. For example, it would be better to have your windows down if you’re cruising around the streets on a hot day, not going any faster than 50mph.

But, if you’re on the motorway, going at a speed of between 50-70mph, having your windows down would create drag from more resistance, meaning it would be better to use the air conditioning.

3. Use gears properly

Change gears as early as possible. Leaving it too late means harsher acceleration, which makes the engine work harder and uses more fuel.

Most cars nowadays have gear shift indicators, making it easy to know when you should change gear.

4. Skip shorter trips

If you’re only going out for a short trip and it’s possible to walk there, ditch the car and go for a wander.

Your engine is less efficient when cold so - you guessed it - if you take it out for a short distance, you’ll be using more fuel.

It might seem hard but try to plan ahead and instead of several short trips, you can do one long journey. Much better for your wallet and the environment too!

5. Avoid high speeds

If you’re thinking about going over the speed limit, don’t do it. Maintaining a constant speed can help conserve your fuel.

Most vehicles are at their most fuel-efficient between 45mph - 65mph.

So, next time you’re tempted to exceed the speed limit on the motorway, try to remember that you could be using 40% more fuel driving at 80mph than at 70mph.

6. Accelerate smoothly

Accelerating harshly can use up to 50% more fuel so accelerate gently for the most efficient use of fuel.

7. Remove unnecessary equipment

Don’t leave lots of stuff in your boot that you don’t really need.

Added weight means your engine has to work harder. Extra energy is needed to accelerate the car which increases your fuel consumption.

Simply put, the tidier your car, the less fuel it will use. So, whether it’s your sports equipment, your wellies, or the rubbish you’ve been meaning to take to the tip, have a spring clean and save on fuel!

8. Turn your engine off when you're at a standstill 

Finally, if you’re waiting for a friend outside their house or you’re stuck in gridlock traffic, turn your engine off.

Running the engine when you’re not driving is going to unnecessarily use fuel.

Look after your vehicle!

Remember to book in regular servicing and maintenance checks to help reduce your fuel consumption. This could consist of engine tune-ups and tyre repair or replacement.

If your engine isn’t running smoothly, you’ll use more fuel and spend more money than you need to.

With your next car lease, you might want to consider a maintenance package which can easily be accounted for in your monthly rentals and could lead to big savings long-term.