Constant rises in the fuel prices are a painful addition to our motoring costs. However some basic maintenance and handy tips can help to put the brakes on your fuel bill and help you save up to a staggering 30%:
1) Keep your tyres inflated - check these weekly if possible:
Efficiency improvement: Up to 3%. Low tyre pressure increases the drag on your car meaning you need more fuel for your journey, so check the pressures are correct on a regular basis.
2) De-clutter your car
Efficiency improvement: Up to 2%. It makes sense that the lighter your car is, the less effort it requires to accelerate. Therefore de-clutter: clear the junk from the boot and ditch unnecessary weight.
3) Take your roof rack off when not using it
Efficiency improvement: Up to 2%. A roof rack adds massive wind resistance to your vehicle, increasing the drag and making the engine work even harder. If you are not using it remove it.
4) Turn off your air conditioning at lower speeds
Efficiency improvement: Up to 8%. Your air con system uses an incredible amount of fuel, so turn it off unless you really need to use it (shouldn't be an issue now we are moving into winter). The general consensus is that it is way more efficient to drive with the windows down and the air con off at lower speeds and in traffic jams, however at higher speeds it is better to use your air con and keep windows closed due to the extra drag.
5) Don't fill your petrol tank up
Efficiency improvement: Up to 1%. Fuel is heavy, so by filling up you're petrol tank you are adding weight. The less fuel your car holds, the more efficiently it drives. Filling up slightly more often and putting less in, for example put in half a tank instead of a full tank thus keeping down weight and making it overall more efficient.
