7 Ways To Improve Your Fuel Consumption Today
If you find yourself filling up a little more often than you used to, it’s worth following our tried and tested ways to cut fuel consumption.
Keeping your tyres inflated to the correct pressure, air con off and driving more carefully can all cut fuel bills.
To help you, our experts have provided seven simple and cost-effective things that every driver can do to drastically improve their miles per gallon, including:
If you find yourself filling up a little more often than you used to, it’s worth following our tried and tested ways to cut fuel consumption.
Keeping your tyres inflated to the correct pressure, air con off and driving more carefully can all cut fuel bills.
To help you, our experts have provided seven simple and cost-effective things that every driver can do to drastically improve their miles per gallon, including:
- Check your tyres
- Turn off your aircon
- Lighten your load
- Fill up halfway
- Drive with care
- Never ignore basic maintenance
- Use a fuel cleaner
Try these tips and tricks to improve your fuel consumption today to spend less time at the pump and save money.
1. Check your tyres
Driving with tyres that are under- or over-inflated isn’t just unsafe, it could be costing you more in fuel, too. The lower your tyre pressure, the more fuel your car will use to propel you forward.
Regularly check your car’s tyres and keep them inflated to the correct tyre pressure. As well as working most efficiently, a correctly inflated tyre should last longer – saving you the expense of a replacement.
If your car tyre tread is getting low, consider investing in a set of tyres with a low rolling resistance. These not only provide a smoother ride, but they can also help you save on fuel costs. The best thing to do is invest in a tyre inflator to keep in your vehicle so you can ensure that your tyres are always rolling at maximum inflation.
2. Turn off your air con
Want to save fuel? Turn your air conditioning system off. Your air con takes power from your engine to keep the car cool. If you need to keep your car cool, you can open a window at low speed.
When you start to travel faster but still need to keep cool, close the window and turn the air con on low. This will help to reduce drag and improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
3. Lighten your load
Carrying extra weight in your car will cost you more in fuel.
Removing extra weight from your car can significantly improve your fuel economy. Before travelling, empty your boot of stuff you don't need, and remove any extra equipment such as roof racks or bike racks when you're not using them.
4. Fill up halfway
Driving around with a full tank of petrol adds weight, which burns more fuel. If you want to lower your fuel burn, only fill the tank half-way up.
On the other hand, driving with low levels of fuel could damage your catalytic converter. Catalytic converters are costly parts to replace, so don’t risk it by driving with the warning light on for too long.
5. Drive with care
Driving at high speeds will burn more fuel, so slow down. If you're regularly driving over 65mph you'll be burning excess fuel as the car works harder to fight drag.
The harder you press the accelerator or brake pedal, the more fuel you're using. Try to accelerate and brake smoothly to achieve better miles per gallon.
Many modern cars have computers which provide information on your fuel economy. This can all help you improve your driving efficiency, lowering fuel costs.
6. Never ignore basic maintenance
Regular car servicing and maintenance can sometimes seem like a hassle, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Your car will be more fuel-efficient and less likely to break down.
Replacing a clogged air filter, worn spark plugs or old engine oil will all help to improve your MPG. Regular servicing will also help to retain the value of your vehicle when you come to sell.
7. Use a fuel cleaner
A fuel cleaner will help your car run more efficiently by removing carbon deposits from the engine and fuel system. This improves engine performance and fuel efficiency while reducing harmful exhaust emissions.
You can either pick up a DIY fuel system cleaner or take advantage of our fuel efficiency pack. One of our experts will use a non-invasive procedure to clean and remove contaminants from your engine and fuel system, leaving you with a cleaner, greener and more fuel-efficient car.
Other fuel saving tips include:
- Find the cheapest fuel - Tools like Petrolprices can help you find the cheapest fuel wherever you are in the UK, helping you to get the best value in your area.
- Sign up to loyalty schemes - Most supermarket petrol stations now offer loyalty points as you spend, to redeem at the pump or in-store.
- Car share – If you’re heading the same way as a friend or a work colleague, then car sharing is a great option, simply split the cost of petrol or take it in turns to drive.
- Invest in a bike – If you’re looking to save money, then a bike is a great way to stay fit on short journeys, for longer journeys an e-bike or hybrid is a good option.
At Halfords Garages, our Interim, Full and Major Services include these items (and more) as standard, so save money and book today.
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