WHETHER you have a lengthy commute to work, you’re the designated taxi service for the kids, or you live out of town and need to use your car every time you nip to the shops, you won’t have failed to notice the effect of rising fuel prices on your bills.
If you’re one of the millions of people who really do rely on their car, then you might have some concerns about how you’re going to keep up with the costs of being a motorist.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do about the price of petrol, but there are a surprising number of ways that you can improve your fuel efficiency to make sure you squeeze every last mile out of the tank.
So try to adopt these simple tips and you might be surprised at the impact it can have on your budget.
Keep rollin’
Your car guzzles the most petrol while it is accelerating, so every time you hit the brakes and then have to increase your speed again you are consuming a lot more fuel than if you can keep going at a constant speed.
Keep your eyes well ahead of you and try to anticipate the movements of the traffic, so that you can take your foot off the gas when you see a queue or a red light up ahead. This gives the blockage a chance to clear while you cruise up at a relaxed speed and then simply keep on driving, without the need for excessive acceleration through the lower gears.
Check your tyres
Your tyres can have a big impact on your fuel efficiency as well as the general safety of the car, so it’s important to check them regularly.
The smoother your ride, the less hard your engine has to work, so make sure your tyres have sufficient tread and are wearing down evenly across the surface.
Make a habit of checking the air pressure as well, since too much or too little can both have a negative effect. Check your user’s manual if you’re unsure what the recommended pressure is for your vehicle, and make use of the testing equipment at petrol stations if you don’t have a gadget of your own.
Shed some weight
It’s so easy for things to pile up on the back seat or in the boot of your car, but you’d be amazed at how much weight your odds and ends can add to your car.
Remember, the harder your engine has to work to get it moving, the more petrol you’ll go through, so have yourself a clear out and get rid of the golf clubs or the six different pairs of shoes that are lurking in the back.
Slow down
Every vehicle has a peak when it comes to the speed/fuel efficiency ratio.
Many vehicles perform at their best at around the 60mph mark, so ask yourself; are you really in that much of a hurry or could you afford to take your foot off the accelerator just a little and enjoy the radio for a few more minutes?
Little drops here and there will add up quicker than you think and you might even find that you feel more relaxed at the end of a journey when you haven’t been so determined to get there as fast as possible.
Trust the pump
When you fill up the tank you will notice that the pump cuts out automatically at a certain point. This signifies that the petrol is at its optimum level, and it should be your cue to stop filling up.
We’re all guilty of squeezing in a little bit more to try and get the price to a round number, but over filling your tank can actually lead to wastage and a reduced performance, so it’s really not getting you anywhere. Pay by card to avoid ending up with a pocketful of loose change and keep your engine running at its best.
This post was written by Nicky Hand, who is always looking for ways to save money. Instead of investing in a car right now, she takes out temporary insurance from Insure Daily and borrows her mum’s car instead.
