The price of fuel has never been so high with prices reaching up to £2 a litre. This price of fuel is a constant source of frustration.

To help drivers save money filling up, we thought it would be a good idea to share this information to potentially save you a bit of money when you are on the road. While the speed you drive your car at is the most important influential factor affecting fuel consumption, there are plenty of other ways you can significantly decrease the amount of fuel used which in tail will reduce the cost of your fuel.

1. Checking your tyres

Regular maintenance improves the efficiency of your vehicle. It’s particularly important to make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure as indicated in your owner’s manual. The less pressure inside of your tyres the more work the engine must do to get them rolling smoothly. Therefore, it is so important to ensure you are checking the tyre pressure regularly to minimise the amount of fuel used when driving your vehicle.

2. Staying in the highest gear possible within the speed limit

We are not saying you should speed your way through the streets but what we are saying is always be in the highest gear possible while maintaining the speed limit. Excessive speed is the biggest fuel-guzzling factor so having a light right foot and ensuring all acceleration is kept to a minimum is very important. Obviously, there will be times where you must accelerate but you don’t have to pull off like you are at the starting line at the F1 track in Monaco!

The best tip we can give to you is drive in the highest gear possible! (But maintain the speed limit). Not only this but change gear fast, don’t let your engine roar. Change the gear before it sounds like it’s going to blow up. 

3. Try not to lose momentum

Keeping your car moving at the right speed is essential to fuel economy. Obviously, this depends on traffic conditions and what’s happening on the road ahead but slowing down and having to accelerate again naturally uses more fuel. So, drive as smoothly as possible! Use your natural senses of anticipation. There’s no reason to swerve round corners and accelerate through them. 

If you always look ahead and anticipate if that traffic light will go red, then start to slow down naturally. Stop accelerating and no fuel will be used. Don’t try and make the green light, stay safe and slow down. A big fuel user is driving up hills, our recommendation for this is to accelerate a little before you hit the hill then ease off as you drive up. That little extra push should be enough to minimise additional fuel consumption.

4. AC and Heat

Did you know using the air con or heat uses engine power to work? Don’t use your Air conditioning unless you really must as it uses engine power and therefore increases fuel consumption. This goes for heat as well as cooling, a fix for this is dressing for the weather. Open the windows or put on a coat.

5. Plan your journey

It goes without saying that travelling the fastest route is obviously going to save money. You may think you know the best way but is it the most efficient way? Check out google maps on your phone. Sitting in traffic can consume more fuel than you think. So plan your journey before you start it.