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 your MPG.
Try these tips and tricks to improve your fuel consumption today to spend less time at the pump and save money.
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 too.
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 - this will help to reduce drag and improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
There’s no standard price for fuel and some garages can be more expensive than others per litre. A few pence difference might not seem much, but it all adds up, especially if you’re adding 50-60 litres of fuel (the average car tank size).
Tools like Petrolprices can help you find the cheapest fuel wherever you are in the UK.
Don’t forget to sign-up for any loyalty schemes too. Most supermarket petrol stations now offer points as you spend, to redeem at the pump or in-store.
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.
Driving around with a full tank of petrol adds weight, which burns more fuel. If you want to lower your fuel burn, only the tank up to halfway.
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.
Slow down! Driving at high speeds will burn more fuel. 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 a better MPG. Many modern cars have computers which provide information on your miles per gallon and how economically you are driving. This can all help you improve your driving efficiency, lowering fuel costs.
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.
At Halfords Autocentres, our Interim, Full and Major Services include these items (and more) as standard, so save money and book today.
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