Ten Realistic Ways To Save Money On Fuel This Year
Owning and using a car is expensive. The average Brit spends around £60,000 on fuel over his or her lifetime. So it’s a good place to start when making a saving…
Keep Your Car Light
The heavier your car is, the more energy is required to get it moving. Where does that energy come from? For most cars, combustion and that means burning through fuel. So remove your roof rack when you don’t need it, take out the golf clubs and remove any clutter from the interior. Keep things as light as possible to keep your fuel bill as light as possible.
Stick To Speed Limits
Modern cars often have pretty good fuel economies. However, they’re designed with speed limits in mind and, in many countries, this sits at around 70 mph. Go past this figure and you may slightly speed up your journey. What’s more certain, however, is that you’ll drastically increase the rate at which you’re burning through fuel.
Brake In Plenty Of Time
Harsh and sudden braking is much more demanding, and costly, than well-timed braking; not to mention the fact that it”s substantially safer and more comfortable for the driver and their passengers. More importantly, minimise the amount of braking you actually need to do. It takes a lot more energy to start a car than it does to simply keep it moving; matching your speed with traffic and obstacles saves fuel.
Try To Shop Around
Modern life is busy and hectic, so we often want instant gratification and straightforward solutions. But going to a petrol station simply because it’s the closest is rarely the most economical option. Work out where your local stations are and experiment with their pricing. The difference of a few pence can go a long way over the course of a few months or a year.
Don’t Bother Going Premium
Premium fuel is such an obvious scam that we wonder how it’s become so mainstream and so widespread; it rarely raises eyebrows or attracts much criticism. The only cars set to benefit from premium fuel are supercars, which have infinitely more complex and thirsty engines than anything found in most cars on the road. It’ll cost you more and you’re exceptionally unlikely to notice any improvements in your car’s performance or longevity.
Buy An Economical Car
This isn’t particularly helpful if you’re not thinking of getting a new car. However, most drivers will be getting a new model at some point or other. When they do, it’s important not just to factor in aesthetics and in car-tech. Pay attention to mpg ratings and investigate them online. Some cars are substantially cheaper to run than others; in some cases, a slightly more expensive car will be more cost-effective long-term than a really cheap one.
Look After Your Tyres
Your car’s tyres can have a major impact on your fuel economy. When they have plenty of tread depth and the right air pressures, the engine won’t have to work hard to move them. When they’re lacking grip or the wrong pressures, they’re much more demanding. Make sure to regularly inspect them for damage, look at the tread depth and keep an eye on pressure levels.
Don’t Over-Rev Your Car
You don’t need a lot of revs to get a car moving and, if you do, it’s probably because you’re rushing or taking needless risks. Over-revving is a major source of fuel consumption, which is significant given how avoidable it is. Be patient, take your time and gently apply the accelerator.
Limit Your Air Conditioning
It’s hard to imagine that there was a time, not so long ago, when air conditioning wasn’t widespread in cars. But we managed. Air conditioning guzzles through fuel and should be used sparingly. If it’s cold, consider wrapping up in a few extra layers. If it’s sweltering, wear appropriate clothing. When driving at reduced speeds, especially in urban centres, you’re better off opening your windows. When you’re cruising down the motorway, you’re better off relying on air conditioning; opening the windows would produce excessive drag.
Plan Your Journeys
We know, it’s practically twee. However, planning your journeys can save you a significant amount of money. Sat-navs have changed the way we drive but they’re far from perfect. Taking the time to familiarise yourself with the road network can help you optimise your journey; either by reducing miles overall or avoiding the likes of congestion and roadworks (both of which demand fuel-consuming driving styles). Take your time and optimise your routes.
Premium Fuel, Is It Worth Your Money? – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/premium-fuel-is-it-worth-it/
Repair Costs For Tech-Packed Cars Are Being ‘Overlooked’ – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/repair-costs-tech-packed-cars-overlooked/
