Running a car can be expensive. One way to reduce your monthly costs is to improve your fuel efficiency. Take a look at these tips and see if you can reduce the amount you spend at the pumps.
LOOK AFTER YOUR CAR
Ensure that all your vehicle components are running smoothly, this can have a big impact on your fuel economy! Make sure that your vehicle is maintained correctly by checking your engine fluids every four weeks and have your car serviced every 12 months, or 12,000 miles, whichever comes sooner.
CHECK YOUR TYRES
Driving on incorrectly inflated tyres can actually have a negative impact on your fuel economy. Under inflated tyres require more momentum in order to move, and this, in turn, requires a greater amount of fuel. Make sure you check your tyre pressures once a month and before any long journeys, this will also help to protect your tyres from damage.
SHOP AROUND FOR FUEL
The price of fuel can vary between different places. Shop around. There are many phone apps available that will do the job for you. Plan ahead, if you are taking a long journey it is usually cheaper to fill up locally than at a Service Station on a motorway.
MAKE FEWER SHORT TRIPS
Try to cut down on the need to warm up your engine, which uses more fuel, by combining shorter trips in to one journey, if possible.
SLOW DOWN
Although you are driving the same distance, taking it at a slower speed is more beneficial for your fuel economy. Cars have an optimum performance speed, which is usually between 55-60 mph, and once this is surpassed, you will be using more fuel to maintain your speed.
DRIVE GENTLY
Sharp acceleration and braking can have a negative impact on your vehicles’ fuel economy. Try to drive more smoothly, and in high gears whenever possible.
WATCH YOUR WEIGHT
If you are driving with a heavy load your fuel consumption will be higher as your vehicle will need to work harder to travel. This is unavoidable in some situations, but if you leave bulky items in your car unnecessarily or keep your bike rack attached when not in use, you should try to streamline your vehicle, by removing them when not in use.