Whilst fuel prices are going up, follow these tips to keep your fuel bill down...
CAR MAINTENANCE
Keep your car safe, reliable and working to its full potential by:
1. Ensuring your tyre pressures are correct, this will also give you better handling of your vehicle - see your car manufacturer's guide for the correct pressure
2. Having your car serviced regularly to maintain the engine's efficiency and to highlight any other problems that may be affecting your car's performance, for example brakes.
3. Choosing the correct oil specification for your vehicle - find this in the manufacture's guide
PLAN AHEAD
Save money on your fuel bill by planning your route before you leave:
1. This will prevent you from getting lost and travelling further than necessary or sitting at idle looking for your next course of action
2. Choose a route with roads that are less travelled, this will prevent you from having regular changes of speed
3. Avoid travelling at peak-times whenever possible, consecutively avoiding traffic jams and queuing
4. Leave with plenty of time to arrive at your destination so you're not driving faster and braking harder than you usually would
5. Choose roads with a smoother road surface as this will reduce the resistance
6. If travelling a regular route note transition points for example junctions, changes of speed, crossings, lights etc. therefore reacting in sufficient time creating a smoother drive
7. Combine short trips - the engine is less efficient when cold as a result combining short trips will reduce the amount of fuel wastage
8. Remove any unnecessary weight from the vehicle - luggage, roof rack, etc.
DRIVING
1. Drive smoothly
- Accelerate and decelerate gradually - avoiding any unnecessary braking
- Read the road ahead and anticipate any hold up - moderating your speed accordingly
- Keep the car moving; don't lose any kinetic energy built up rolling down a hill by having to stop at the bottom.
2. Change up through the gears as quickly as possible without the engine labouring - try to keep the revs no higher than 2500 rpm for a petrol and 2000rpm for a diesel before changing gear
3. Close the windows and sunroof to reduce air resistance
4. Turn off any appliances - air conditioning, heater, demister, etc.
5. Drive slower - the faster you're going the more fuel you'll consume, stick to the speed limits. By driving 70mph rather than 50mph you use more than 15% more fuel!
CAR MAINTENANCE
Keep your car safe, reliable and working to its full potential by:
1. Ensuring your tyre pressures are correct, this will also give you better handling of your vehicle - see your car manufacturer's guide for the correct pressure
2. Having your car serviced regularly to maintain the engine's efficiency and to highlight any other problems that may be affecting your car's performance, for example brakes.
3. Choosing the correct oil specification for your vehicle - find this in the manufacture's guide
PLAN AHEAD
Save money on your fuel bill by planning your route before you leave:
1. This will prevent you from getting lost and travelling further than necessary or sitting at idle looking for your next course of action
2. Choose a route with roads that are less travelled, this will prevent you from having regular changes of speed
3. Avoid travelling at peak-times whenever possible, consecutively avoiding traffic jams and queuing
4. Leave with plenty of time to arrive at your destination so you're not driving faster and braking harder than you usually would
5. Choose roads with a smoother road surface as this will reduce the resistance
6. If travelling a regular route note transition points for example junctions, changes of speed, crossings, lights etc. therefore reacting in sufficient time creating a smoother drive
7. Combine short trips - the engine is less efficient when cold as a result combining short trips will reduce the amount of fuel wastage
8. Remove any unnecessary weight from the vehicle - luggage, roof rack, etc.
DRIVING
1. Drive smoothly
- Accelerate and decelerate gradually - avoiding any unnecessary braking
- Read the road ahead and anticipate any hold up - moderating your speed accordingly
- Keep the car moving; don't lose any kinetic energy built up rolling down a hill by having to stop at the bottom.
2. Change up through the gears as quickly as possible without the engine labouring - try to keep the revs no higher than 2500 rpm for a petrol and 2000rpm for a diesel before changing gear
3. Close the windows and sunroof to reduce air resistance
4. Turn off any appliances - air conditioning, heater, demister, etc.
5. Drive slower - the faster you're going the more fuel you'll consume, stick to the speed limits. By driving 70mph rather than 50mph you use more than 15% more fuel!