Did you know that making a few simple changes to the way you drive could help you reduce your fuel bill? Here are ten tips help to save pounds at the pumps:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cars, like all machines, work best when they are properly maintained. And you don\u2019t need to be a mechanic - it\u2019s things like setting the correct tyre pressures that make most difference to fuel economy.<\/p> \r\n\t\r\n\t
That\u2019s because under-inflated tyres cause more rolling resistance and friction, and that means the engine has to work harder to get the same results.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Get your car serviced on schedule and make sure you regularly change your engine oil and pump up your tyres to keep everything running efficiently.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
If you\u2019re one of those people who treat your car like a giant handbag or a mobile shed, this might help.<\/p> \r\n\r\n
Any extra weight you\u2019re lugging about has an impact on fuel economy. So what do you really need in the boot? If it\u2019s not required for your journey then take it out. Think about aerodynamics too - roof racks, cycle racks or top boxes create more wind drag which means the engine has to work harder.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
Simple one this, but if you get lost or take the long way round, you\u2019re using unnecessary fuel. Sat navs don\u2019t always get it right either, so it\u2019s worth looking at Google Maps before you set out to check the best and most efficient route.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
Air conditioning does suck up power and therefore fuel when you\u2019re travelling at low speeds around town. It\u2019s worth switching off if you don\u2019t really need it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, when you\u2019re driving at higher speeds and particularly on the motorway, the impact that air con will have on fuel economy is pretty negligible so don\u2019t feel guilty about keeping cool! Electrical gizmos on the car like the stereo, heated rear windscreen and demisters will always use more fuel so switch these off when you don\u2019t need them. <\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
Smooth driving with progressive and gentle acceleration is key to keeping your fuel economy average high. Look as far ahead as possible so you can read the road and try to avoid unnecessary braking. You\u2019re using fuel to accelerate, and wasting it if you have to brake straight away.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
Stop-start traffic is not good for fuel economy, so if you can keep the car rolling, do. Use clutch control and engine braking to manage your speed - even if you\u2019re at walking pace the car\u2019s inertia helps you be more efficient than coming to standstill and setting off again.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
Your mum or dad might suggest coasting - letting the car roll in neutral - to save fuel. This isn\u2019t advisable because you\u2019re not in full control of the car if it\u2019s freewheeling in neutral, losing engine braking and the ability to accelerate out of any tricky situations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There\u2019s also nothing to be gained from coasting in modern injection cars, like it did in old-fashioned carburettor cars, because a modern car\u2019s ECU (engine control unit) cuts the fuel supply the second you take your foot off the accelerator.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
Avoid labouring the engine by changing up through the gears a little earlier. As a rule of thumb, try changing up when the engine speed reaches 2000rpm in a petrol car and 2500rpm in a diesel car.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Many newer cars come with \u2018Gear Shift Indicators\u2019 - often a little green arrow on the dashboard - that will identify the most efficient point to shift for the car in the current conditions. <\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
It\u2019s simple: the faster you go, the greater your fuel consumption will be. Keeping to the speed limits will keep you safer and out of trouble, but it will also help keep your fuel bill down.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the motorway, cruising at the 80mph rather than the 70mph speed limit can use as much as 25 percent more fuel in some cars. \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n
Most cars will give you a computer read out of the average and instant fuel consumption. Keep a note of this so you can see if you\u2019re improving and by how much. This will help you work out what makes the most difference.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\nUpdated: 07\/08\/2019<\/small>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Did you know that making a few simple changes to the way you drive could help you reduce your fuel bill? Here are ten tips help to save pounds at the pumps: Basic maintenance Cars, like all machines, work best when they are properly maintained. And you don\u2019t need to be a mechanic – it\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":2892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-driving-tips","driving-tips"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n