By making a few small changes to way you drive, you may be able to significantly save on the cost of fuel - we show you how.
For many people in the UK who drive regularly, fuel can be a huge cost that’s hard to drive down. However it is possible to cut down on the amount of petrol you use just by changing the way you drive.
The following changes to your driving technique could go a long way towards making your fuel consumption more efficient...
Don’t over-accelerate
Whenever you accelerate you burn through significantly more fuel than when your foot is off the pedal. Of course acceleration is a necessary part of driving, but if you do it more sparingly you can really cut back on the amount of fuel you use.
Avoid accelerating quickly and harshly, such as when you’re speeding away from a green traffic light, and don’t pump the accelerator as this can be harmful to the engine as well as burning unnecessary fuel. Instead, always accelerate gently out of a stopping position and take your foot off the accelerator when your car doesn’t need the extra boost, such as when you’re driving on a downward incline.
Brake with ease
Just as accelerating too suddenly eats through fuel, applying your brakes harshly or too often is an inefficient use of fuel. So try to use your brakes gently and smooth to a roll-stop, rather than accelerating then braking too often.
This also ties in with making sure you aren’t driving too fast. It’s beneficial to your fuel-use as well as your safety to stick to the driving limit. Cars driven at 70mph use significantly more fuel than those driving at 50mph – and if you’re driving more slowly you’ll find it easier to brake gently and calmly instead of bringing the car to a sudden, harsh halt.
It also pays to anticipate the road ahead as much as possible. If you are aware there are traffic lights coming up, or a queue you are about to join, gently apply the brakes early to arrive at a smooth, slow stop.
Don’t idle your engine
Letting your engine sit and idle, for example when waiting in a traffic jam, burns through a surprising amount of fuel. However this is countered by the argument that constantly turning your engine on and off eats through an equally unnecessary amount.
The way to solve this is to switch your engine off if you have been sitting in traffic for more than 5 minutes or so, or if you anticipate that you will not be able to move your car for a while for whatever reason. Switching off your engine to then have to start it up again almost immediately will use up fuel, but so will sitting with your engine on and inactive for long periods of time.
Check your tyre pressure
Keeping your tyres at optimum pressure can do wonders for the fuel-efficiency of your car. Under-inflated tyres will create more resistance between your tyres and the road whenever you drive, meaning you use up more fuel.
It’s best to check your tyres when they’re cold, and to do it regularly – ideally every week or so. While you’re at it, check the tread of your tyres to make sure they’re still in good condition.
Worn-out tread means your car will have to use up more fuel when driving anywhere, because of the decreased resistance. The legal minimum tread depth of the main grooves of your tyres is 1.6mm in the UK, which applies across the central three quarters of the breadth of tread, and also round the outer circumference of the tyre.
Cool it down
If it’s hot inside your car, try your best not to resort to air-conditioning unless you really need it. Air-conditioning is one of the worst culprits for burning through your fuel, so try to reserve its use only for extremely hot conditions, and roll a window down instead.
That said, if you have your windows rolled down and are driving at speed, you will increase the drag on your car, making it use more fuel. So it’s best to have a window slightly rolled down unless it’s particularly hot, in which case you may have to resort to air-conditioning.
It’s also important to keep your temper cool when driving. If you drive in a bad mood you are more likely to drive aggressively, meaning harsh braking and acceleration, and swerving steering – resulting in an inefficient use of fuel. Always try to drive calmly and in a clear state of mind, however much you might feel pushed towards road rage!
Travel light
Minimise the weight your car has to carry by removing all unnecessary items from your car. This could include clearing your boot and back seat of accumulated junk to make your car lighter, or removing a roof rack when not in use. The lighter your car is, the more fuel-efficiently it will drive.
Although of course not always possible, you’ll also save fuel by driving in daylight rather than at night. This is because your headlights, like air-conditioning, eat through a considerable amount of fuel. So wherever possible try to restrict your driving excursions to times when headlights aren’t necessary.
Finally, you should keep your car well-maintained and have it serviced regularly. This will ensure you are driving it in a fuel-efficient manner, as even small things like clogged air filters can mean your car is burning through more fuel than it has to. And wherever possible, leave your car at home – walking, cycling, or using public transport is the best way to save on your fuel consumption.
