Here at ACC UK Ltd Independent Volvo & Toyota Car Servicing, Repair & MOT Specialists based in Farnborough, Hampshire we like to give you regular
tips on saving money on your car running bills and handy hints and tips on making your petrol go that little bit further. We have always advocated
that if you look after the pennies the pounds will look after themselves. By making little differences to the way you drive and how you maintain your
vehicle these savings will soon add up and make a difference in your wallet. Two things that will immediately make a difference is to buy the cheapest
petrol and diesel, in your local area – plan ahead – motorway service stations will not have the cheapest fuel so try and make sure you fill up before
you start your journey. The second way of immediately making a difference is to car share. By splitting the driving between you and work colleagues
who live in the same area – you will both benefit by making significant savings. This could potentially save you 50% if you split the driving – that’s
a massive saving in one foul swoop! Please see below other ways you can save money and make your petrol last that little bit longer.
Close windows & remove roof racks and boxes
Wind resistance increases your fuel consumption because it increases the drag meaning your engine will have to work harder so try to keep windows closed
at high speeds and remove roof racks and boxes when not in use. Removing a roof-top cargo box can save as much as 20% on fuel over a year. Taking your
roof rack off will result in a Fuel efficiency improvement of Up to 2%.The lighter your car is, the less effort it needs to accelerate. By clearing out junk from the boot and back seats you can save fuel. Decluttering your car will result in a Fuel efficiency improvement of Up to 2%
Slow down
According to the AA, driving at 70mph instead of 80mph could save you up to 25% in fuel. And cutting your speed from 70mph to 60mph could save a further
10%.
Maintenance
We cannot stress enough the importance of regular car servicing to maintain engine efficiency. It really is a false economy to skip a service. When filters
etc need replacing during the service schedule and oil needs replacing it is because it has come to the end of its life and is no longer doing the
job it’s required to do. It’s better and cheaper to maintain than to repair.
Sensible driving
Every time you put your foot on the accelerator, remember the harder you press, the more fuel you spend. Adapt a smooth driving style and you will get
more miles from a tank of petrol.
Drive in the correct gear & reduce your revs
It’s more efficient to move up a gear at 2,500 (petrol) and 2,000 (diesel). Drive in the correct gear and move up in gear much earlier than normal – you
will see a difference in your fuel efficiency.
Supermarket petrol promotions
The leading Supermarkets often run petrol promotions. Be aware of your vouchers at the checkout and use them when you fill up – it’s usually a double whammy
as you get to earn points when using your loyalty cards also at the pumps which in turn convert to vouchers in store!
Keep Tyres Inflated
Well maintained tyres are essential for safe and economical driving. Low tyre pressure increases drag which means more fuel. Check tyre pressures regularly because incorrectly inflated tyres will need replacing more often, meaning additional costs to you. Correctly inflated tyres can improve fuel consumption. Keeping your tyres inflated could result in an improvement in your Fuel efficiency by up to 3%
Air con or open windows?
Air-conditioning increases fuel consumption, especially at low speeds. The general consensus is it will be more efficient to drive with windows down and air con off at lower speeds and windows up an air con on at higher speeds. By turning off your air con at lower speeds it will result in a Fuel efficiency improvement of up to 8%
All these % savings can make a difference of hundreds of pounds a year.
ACC UK Ltd are an independent Volvo & Toyota Servicing, repair and MOT garage based in the
heart of Farnborough, Hampshire. We serve customers from the surrounding area including Aldershot, Fleet, Camberley, Farnham, Bracknell, Frimley, Crowthorne,
Sandhurst, Yateley, Wokingham, Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. We pride ourselves on offering a dealership service at a fraction of the cost – so
give us a call when you next need a quote on your servicing or repair – let us quote you happy! Safe Driving!
