The increasing price of fuel is on the minds of most drivers these days. We have 20 fuel-saving tips that can be surprisingly effective writes Geraldine Herbert
1) Remove all non-essential items from your car and don’t forget to include the boot!
2) One of the easiest and most effective ways to conserve fuel is to change driving styles. Drive smoothly, so no harsh accelerating or braking.
3) Check tyre pressures regularly, any imbalance in the tyre pressure or less tyre pressure can mean more fuel burnt.
4) Switch off your engine if you have to wait longer than 60 seconds.
5) Driving just 8 km/h over the speed limit can affect fuel consumption by 23% , the most fuel efficient speed is 75-80 km/h.
6) Don’t rev the engine! Revving the engine whilst stationary does nothing except waste fuel.
7) Plan Ahead, anticipate stop signs and lights, the less you have to stop, the better your fuel economy.
8) Use air con sparingly but at speeds of over 80 km/h, use of air conditioning is better than an open window.
9) Don’t linger in low gears, getting into the highest gear you can, at the lowest possible speed, will save you fuel.
10) Buy fuel in units of litres, not euros. It is easier to decide where the best value is.
11) Use cruise control during extended trips on motorways, you save fuel by maintaining a consistent speed.
12) Service your car regularly.
13) Keep your tank full. Fuel that sloshes around in the empty space in your tank tends to vaporize and eventually leaks away.
14) Don’t always use the same garage out of habit, shop around.
15) Downsize: If you’re shopping for new transport, re-evaluate how much car you really need.
16) Consolidate your shopping trips and use the car prudently. The more you drive, the more fuel you use, especially on short trips.
17) Experiment with routes and departure times to see where you can save.
18) Use your handbrake on hills. Riding the clutch wastes fuel and dramatically reduces the life of the clutch. With an automatic transmission, use your handbrake, not the accelerator, to hold against an incline.
19) Avoid travelling during rush hour: That helps to reduce fuel-gulping patterns such as starting, stopping and idling.
20) Where possible avoid rough roads. Dirt and gravel can cause an increase in fuel consumption of up to 30%.
Geraldine Herbert
