Tips for being fuel efficient while driving

Drive smoothly at a steady speed.

Driving like a boy-racer by aggressively accelerating or breaking not only makes you look like a bit of a fool, but it wastes fuel too - up to 60% more in fact! When pulling away from traffic lights, try to remember you aren’t playing the PS3 and you are not a rally driver, accelerate gently and gradually build up your speed.

Be aware of what’s ahead.

When driving you should try to look ahead and read the conditions of the road - look out for anything that might require you to slow down or stop such as traffic lights or someone attempting to park. By anticipating what is coming up, you'll not only be a safer driver, but you'll save fuel by starting to slow down early and not needing to come to an abrupt stop.

Check your tyres

Make sure you check your tyre pressures regularly and before long journeys. An under-inflated tyre can increase fuel consumption by 3%, and it will wear out quicker too. (Check the handbook and increase pressures for heavier loads as recommended)

Lighten Up

Extra weight means extra fuel so if there's anything in the boot you don't need on the journey take it out.

Streamline

Roof-racks and boxes add wind resistance and so increase fuel consumption. If you don't need it take it off – if you do, pack carefully to reduce drag.

Turn off the air con

Air Conditioning is great in the hot summer months, but only use it when you really need to and just use the blowers the rest of the time - try to avoid opening the windows when driving at speed as this can increase aerodynamic drag which will waste more fuel. Running the air con when you don't need it will waste a lot of fuel.

Don’t “warm up” the engine

When starting on those cold mornings, don't leave your car running to warm it up. It causes unnecessary engine wear, as well as wasting fuel. Instead invest in some decent de-icer and try to drive off straight away - so long as you can see where you are going!

Why not walk?

It is so easy to just hop in the car to pop down to the corner shop to pick up your Sunday papers, but a cold engine will generally use twice as much fuel as a warm engine. Why not walk instead?

Kill your speed, save your fuel

The faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and pollution. Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more than at 50mph. Cruising at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph.

Look after your car

Try to keep your car well maintained by making sure the recommended service schedule is followed either by taking it to a reputable garage, or servicing it yourself. A well-tuned engine with fresh, clean oil and new air filters will run more efficiently than an engine that has been neglected.