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10 ways to cut your fuel bill

With petrol prices hitting an all-time high, could you be doing more to control how much you fork out on fuel? Here are our 10 top tips to help you keep a lid on your fuel costs…

1. Under pressure

If your tyres aren’t at the correct pressure, your vehicle’s efficiency is reduced, meaning that you’ll need more fuel to go the same distance – so check them regularly.

2. Dump the junk

It’s easy to accumulate all kinds of rubbish in the boot of our cars – so give yours a good clear out. Extra weight acts as an unnecessary burden, making it more difficult to accelerate and using up more fuel in the process.

3. Wind of change

Roof racks and boxes are handy – but only if you’re actually using them to carry something. When not needed, remove yours and you’ll lessen your car’s wind resistance and improve its fuel efficiency.

4. Air fare

Air conditioning may chill you out, but it’s a drain on fuel. Only turn it on if you really need to.

5. Running on half-empty

It’s tempting to fill the petrol tank right to the top, especially if you’re off on a long journey. Yet, this makes the car heavier and run less efficiently. Get into the habit of only filling your car up to a maximum of three-quarters of a tank.

6. Don’t feed your speed

Fast driving not only increases your chances of getting a (pricey) speeding ticket, but also the rate at which you use up fuel. If you drive above the most fuel-efficient speeds of 55-65mph, you’ll consume petrol at a greater rate – and driving at 80mph uses 10-20% more petrol than 70mph.

7. Nought to 60

It might be tempting to make like Jensen Button by accelerating up through the gears at a Formula One pace, but fast acceleration is a sure-fire way to waste fuel. With a little bit of patience, you can still get up to speed, it’ll just take you a little longer.

8. Go with the slow

Braking also uses up fuel, so utilise your car’s engine braking and let your car lose speed naturally where possible, rather than slamming your foot on the brake pedal.

9. Code of the road

Read the road accurately and keep aware of your position and that of other drivers. This will enable you to move more smoothly through traffic, rather than sudden speeding, slowing, starting and stopping – all of which eats up fuel.

10. Deal or no deal?

Be a canny petrol shopper by looking out for supermarket promotions and loyalty schemes. Also check out the cheapest prices near you – which can change daily – via this handy site> www.petrolprices.com.