Petrol Prices Mean Fuel Efficient Driving

As petrol prices continue to soar upwards, drivers are beginning to feel the pinch. However, it is possible to save fuel by making it last longer by driving with the following tips put into practice and every drop matters as more and more drivers are running on fumes.

TOP TIPS

Tyres - Many drivers have under inflated tyres, this can result in a less efficient journey and if tyres are below their recommended pressure they can be using 1% more fuel than neccesary.

Windows - When your driving on a duel carriageway or motorway keep your windows shut as this will make your car more streamline. With windows open wind rushes in and creates a drag, a bit like walking directly into a wind with a golf umbrella open. It takes less effort with your umbrella closed.

Boot - Ensure your carrying only what you need to reduce weight, every Pound or Kilo matters! So if you've been to the garden centre on a Sunday and bought a couple of bags of compost remove them straight away when you get back not four days later after you've drove them miles on other errands. A lighter car means less fuel.

Speed - The optimum speed for fuel consumption for most cars is 56mph, and reducing your speed over distance can make a significant saving in fuel, 5mpg in some instances. If you're on a motorway and you drop your speed from 75mph to 65mph your tank won't empty as quick.

Air Conditioning & Electrics - These can eat into you fuel by as much as 12%, especially air conditioning. However, as explained above if you switch your air con off, don't open the windows or this will cancel out the saving. Obviously if it is a scorching hot or freezing cold day, you might require it, but the key is not to switch it on all the time as an act of habit.

Urban Driving - Anticipate red lights and traffic ahead, if you see the traffic lights are on red slow right down so by the time you reach them they are on green so you can continue, this saves a lot of fuel compared to a style of driving of short fast bursts, braking, and continuously stopping and starting. If you're stuck in bad traffic switch the engine off and back on when needed rather than letting the engine run.

Cars use more fuel when they are not warmed up, they are at their most efficient when driving for a distance on a motorway perhaps around 40mpg which can drop to 20mpg in town on a short journey, so avoiding car use for short journeys can make sense.

Lift Sharing - The old saying a burden shared is a burden halfed also applies to your petrol bill. If you travel a similar journey to a work colleague why not organise a rotating liftshare which means the cost of travelling to work will drop 50%.

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