Due to contributing factors like higher global oil prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, fuel prices are expected to fluctuate throughout the year – and motorists in the UK could face higher fuel costs as a result.

Drivers are always looking for ways to make their car maintenance cheaper, but this context makes it more important than ever to look for ways to save.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you make your money go further – and it starts with finding ways to reduce your car’s fuel consumption.

 

What Can I Do to Reduce Fuel Consumption?

By improving the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, you can save money, reduce your environmental impact and reduce the risk of wear and tear.

Here's a snapshot of our biggest tips to save on fuel:

  • Invest in Car Maintenance
  • Find the Best Pump Price in Your Area
  • Plan Your Journey Ahead of Time
  • Your Driving Style Matters
  • Look for Loyalty and Cashback Schemes
  • Turn Off AC When Driving at Lower Speeds
  • Have a Clear Out

 

Now let's take a look at these in more detail...

 

Invest in Car Maintenance

Did you know that properly inflated tyres can improve your car’s fuel economy?

When your tyres are under-inflated, this can increase resistance on the road – whilst over-inflated tyres will mean your vehicle uses more fuel.

Maintaining the correct tyre pressure can ensure a smoother drive and help you accelerate effectively.

Whilst it can be tempting to try and save money by skipping essential vehicle maintenance, this could end up costing you more in the long run.

That's why it's so important that you book a yearly car service so that your car can run as efficiently as possible.

 

Find the Best Pump Price in Your Area 

You can use apps and websites like PetrolPrices to find fuel prices near you, helping you find the cheapest options in your area.

In addition to shopping around, you may even be able to use a mid-grade or lower-octane fuel in your vehicle to save a bit of money.

 

Plan Your Journey Ahead of Time

Got a few errands to run?

When you combine your journeys into one, the engine will be warm and operate more efficiently – as opposed to dealing with several cold starts which will increase fuel consumption.

Check your journey ahead of time to see if you can avoid congestion to reduce how much stop-and-go driving you need to do.

You can spread the cost of fuel when you carpool, too – and also save a bit of wear and tear on your vehicle.

If you can, walking or cycling to your destination might be worth doing from time to time to save on fuel  – or taking the bus or train instead.

 

An infographic showing some ways you can reduce fuel consumption.

 

Your Driving Style Matters

Your driving style doesn’t just have an impact on your car’s health and performance – driving at a steady speed can help you maximise your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

If you want to reap the rewards, avoid rapid acceleration and harsh braking - focus on helping your vehicle slow down and speed up smoothly instead.

Try not to idle, as this consumes fuel – more fuel even than restarting your engine.

You should turn off the ignition if you’re waiting.

Another tip is to only use cruise control on motorways, as you’ll use more fuel if you use it on a road that’s not flat.

Be sure to use the right gear to maximise fuel efficiency, too.

Don’t choose a gear that is too low for the current speed or terrain.

For petrol vehicles, the most economical operating range is between 1500 and 2500 RPM.

You should shift up to the next gear when you exceed this upper limit.

For diesel vehicles, the range is usually between 1300 and 2000 RPM.

 

Look for Loyalty and Cashback Schemes

Some supermarkets offer fuel discounts whilst certain credit cards give cashback on fuel purchases – so it’s worth seeing if you can save where you can.

 

Turn Off AC When Driving at Lower Speeds

Air con uses engine power and fuel – so it pays to use it only when you need it.

Try turning the air con off and driving with the windows down at lower speeds and using the air con with your windows up at higher speeds.

 

Have a Clear Out

Is your car filled with clutter and things you don’t actually need?

Not only will giving your car a clear out make it look better, removing heavier items from your vehicle can also help with fuel costs.

Your engine has to work harder to get your car moving and uses more fuel when there are too many heavy objects weighing your vehicle down.

Empty your boot and backseat of any unnecesary items so you can lessen the load – it may be worth taking off any roof bars or roof boxes, too.

 

How to Calculate Miles Per Gallon (MPG)

Mileage is a way of measuring your car’s fuel efficiency or economy, which is why calculating your car’s mpg is so valuable.

Not only can this help you save on fuel, but it can give you an idea of your car’s overall health.

The higher your car’s mileage, the more efficient your car will be.

 

Before Calculating

To calculate your car’s fuel consumption, first fill up your car with petrol or diesel.

Next, reset the trip meter to zero.

If your car doesn’t have one, then you should record the mileage instead.

Take your car for a drive, following your normal routine for a couple of days.

You don’t have to drive until the tank is empty, but the longer you drive the more accurate the calculation is likely to be.

Take your car back to the petrol station to fill up on fuel – just remember that you may get an inaccurate reading if you insert the pump at a different angle or forget to let it click off on its own.

Note how many gallons were used and write down how many gallons/litres you needed to fill the tank – this is your “fuel usage”.

 

Calculating Your Fuel Consumption

Divide the number of miles you’ve driven by the number of gallons of gas you’ve used.

Let’s say you drove 315 miles and filled your car with 15 gallons of petrol or diesel, this would look like:

315 miles divided by 15 gallons = 21mpg.

Calculating this regularly can help you monitor your fuel mileage and see if improvements need to be made to make your car more fuel efficient.

You can now use this sum to help calculate your rate of petrol/diesel.

Just take the average price you pay at the petrol station and divide it by your car’s mpg.

 

Knowing this can help you to budget effectively, especially when preparing for a road trip or longer drive.

If the calculation has shown you that your journeys are costing you a fair bit, take these tips on board and you can keep fuel costs to a minimum this year.