Last time we looked at the first five of our top ten tips for saving fuel. Check out our final five, to help you save a small fortune.
6. Watch your speed. If the threat of a hefty fine doesn’t deter you from speeding, maybe saving fuel will. Creeping over the speed limit is tempting to even the most conscientious drivers, particularly if you are in a hurry. However, driving at speed costs a lot more money: studies show that driving at 80 mph instead of 70 mph can cost as much as £7 more for a 200-mile journey. So, save your money, reduce wear and tear on your car, and stay on the right side of the law by obeying the speed limit.
7. Smoothly does it. When you accelerate you are pumping more fuel into your engine so that it will go faster. This, of course, burns a considerable amount of fuel. Try to avoid accelerating and braking: the most fuel-efficient way to drive is at about 50 mph (speed limit permitting) and in the highest gear.
8. Don’t floor it. People often fixate on staying in a higher gear to save fuel. However, if you have to push down on the accelerator to stay in that gear, you are actually using more fuel. Instead of pushing your accelerator to the floor, change down a gear when you are going a little too slow or going up a hill, to save £££s.
9. Watch the air con. We already know that if you are travelling at speed, you are better off closing the windows to prevent drag and using the air con instead. However, it can be tempting to leave the air con on all the time. Air conditioning units use fuel, and on short journeys they can drain the battery, too. Avoid having the air con on unless you really need it.
10. Check your tyres. Tyre pressure is an important part of fuel efficiency. If your tyres are not pumped up enough, more of the tyre is in contact with the road surface, which can cause more friction, making the car harder to handle and meaning that your engine needs to work harder. Tyre pressure can change with fluctuating temperatures – we advise that you check them monthly to make sure they are within the manufacturer’s recommended parameters.
Do you have any top fuel-saving tips? Or are you looking for a reliable garage near you? Let us know by following Trust A Garage on Facebook.