Let's face it, driving can be a costly business. Even with the announcement of the biggest ever cut in fuel in the Chancellor's Spring Budget, petrol and diesel prices are at an all time high and getting from A to B adds up. Whether you're planning a long journey or wanting to cut the cost of your daily commute, these five simple changes work wonders for your vehicle's fuel efficiency, so you'll be saving money and the environment.
1. Keep it smooth and steady
Did you know that harsh acceleration and heavy braking can increase your fuel consumption by up to 33%? The easiest way to cut down on clunky pedal use is to try and anticipate the road ahead and other motorists as far as you possibly can - easier said than done, we know but well worth it. Simple fixes such as slowing naturally when approaching traffic lights, a roundabout or junction and speeding up slightly ahead of a hill will work wonders for your fuel efficiency.
Getting to grips with your gearstick can also help. Ensure that you change up at low revs and you'll avoid putting your engine under too much strain. If you drive a manual transmission, listen out for your revs and change up just a little bit before you normally would. The most fuel efficient RPM for a petrol car is 2,500 with diesels peaking at 2,000.
2. Stick to the speed limit
Wise advice for many reasons - not least safety and avoiding points or a hefty fine - the fact is, the faster you drive, the more fuel you burn. Whilst we're not suggesting that you take every journey at the pace of a snail, just driving at the legal limit can make a huge difference to your fuel efficiency. Cruising along at 60mph rather than 70mph can reduce your consumption by 9%. Playing by the rules on the motorway pays bigger dividends still with motorists sticking to the 70mph limit burning a whopping 25% less fuel than drivers who speed along at 80mph.
3. Don't idle
If you're driving an older car that doesn't have a 'stop/start' feature, this is a great way to ensure you are maximising your fuel efficiency. Leaving your engine running whilst at a standstill burns more fuel and adds to CO2 emissions to boot. If you think you're going to be stationary for more than 30 seconds, switch your engine off - although don't forget to turn the ignition on, so airbags and other safety features are still enabled.
4. Keep your vehicle well maintained
A well serviced car is a sure fire way to have a happy journey on all fronts. However, there are some things that have an impact on fuel economy that you may not have realised. One of them being keeping your air-conditioning charged. When your air-con refrigerant is low, your vehicle will struggle to produce cold air. The engine will work harder to do so, which in turn, burns through your fuel at a rate of knots.
Keeping an eye on your tyre pressure also makes a big difference to your diesel and petrol consumption, so it pays (literally) to keep them pumped up. Under-inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving, so more fuel is used to counterbalance this. Regularly checking that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure will help your car to run more efficiently - and will prolong the life of your tyres too.
5. Travel light
Unless you're going on holiday or acting as a taxi service to the local rugby team, keeping your car clutter free can go a long way towards increasing your fuel efficiency. It's not rocket science - a car full of life's detritus is heavy. Powering a heavy car puts more strain on the engine and yep- you guessed it, a hardworking engine burns more fuel. So clear out the junk and see what difference it can make.