Looking for ways to make your money go further? Planning a fuel-efficient journey isn’t just about driving gently, it starts before you even set off.

With fuel prices on the rise, it pays to plan your journeys ahead of time so that you can reduce your fuel consumption wherever possible.

Not only will doing this help you save - it can also help to cut emissions and improve air quality.

What to Do Before You Set Off

Choose the Most Fuel-Efficient Route

If you’re looking to maximise the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, route planning is a key step that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Here are a few key pointers that are worth remembering when planning a fuel-efficient journey:

  • Think one long round trip rather than several shorter ones

  • Time your journey to avoid congestion

  • Factor fuel stops into your journey

Idling wastes fuel without you going anywhere, so it makes sense to plan ahead and opt for longer routes with less congestion and fewer stops.

If you can, avoid driving during rush hour and opt for roads with quality surfaces.

Maintaining a consistent speed will be more fuel-efficient than having to stop and start your vehicle repeatedly.

Your engine will be most efficient when it has had a chance to fully warm up, which is why it can be beneficial to do multiple stops in one trip where you keep the engine warm – rather than splitting your stops out across shorter trips.

Frequent stopping, accelerating, and low average speeds in built-up areas can lead to increased fuel consumption.

Remove the Roof Box

We’ve singled out the roof box for this example, but really you want to think about removing any items that could be weighing down your car.

The more strain these heavy items put on your vehicle, the more fuel you’ll be using.

So, do you really need everything in the boot for this journey?

If not, have a clear out and make your car look and feel better in the process.

Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips

Want to drive more economically? In this section, we cover what you need to alter about your driving habits if you want to save fuel.

Drive Gently and With Care

When you drive faster, your engine will have to work harder, so it pays to keep a steady speed.

You can improve your fuel economy simply by dropping from 70mph to 60mph when appropriate.

If you want to reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption, driving at lower speeds when it makes sense to do so is key.

The same goes for driving smoothly when leaving traffic light stops and paying attention to potential hazards and other road users.

By building speed gradually when you leave traffic lights and avoiding harsh acceleration and heavy braking, you’ll be able to maintain momentum far better.

Don't Use the AC (All the Time)

Using your air-con can increase your fuel consumption, but the aerodynamic drag caused by open windows can actually use even more fuel – so what should you do?

A good rule of thumb is to keep your windows closed on the motorway and use your AC instead.

On hotter days, start with open windows and then switch to air-con once the cabin is cool.

Take care not to run the system at its coldest setting for too long - or use it for ages whilst stuck in traffic.

Car Maintenance Tips to Help with Fuel Efficiency

Do a Few Simple Checks to Improve MPG

It pays to follow the manufacturer’s servicing schedule for your car – neglecting to service your vehicle at regular intervals can lead to poor fuel economy and a higher risk of breakdowns.

If your tyres are under-inflated, this creates more resistance when your car is moving – that means your engine will have to work harder and more fuel will be used.

Keeping your tyres correctly inflated reduces rolling resistance - helping your engine work efficiently and improving fuel economy.

Your car’s engine oil helps the engine run efficiently and protects it from damage, so keep your engine oil topped up to avoid accelerated wear.

Be Proactive About Warning Lights

Whilst warning lights can give you an awareness of safety issues that need to be addressed, there are some that signal problems that may be increasing fuel consumption without you knowing, too.

If your engine management light is on, then there could be a sensor issue which is contributing to higher fuel consumption and increased emissions.

The tyre pressure warning light (TPMS) can let you know when your tyres are under-inflated, which will mean your engine has to work harder to maintain speed.

An illuminated DPF light can signal that a clogged filter is disrupting exhaust flow, leading to reduced engine efficiency.

The coolant temperature warning light coming on may mean that your engine isn’t reaching ideal temperature.

In the case of both the DPF light and the coolant light, frequent short journeys could be doing your vehicle more harm than good, as your engine might not be reaching optimal operating temperature.

If you want to improve your MPG, act when you first spot a warning light – so that you can save on extra fuel spending later down the line.

 

So, there you have it – our top tips for planning a fuel-efficient journey.

We want you to save money where you can, and not just on the blog. Our platform lets you compare prices from a wide network of garages - so that you can find the best deal in your area.

If the tips in this blog have inspired you, book a car service in no time to maintain optimal fuel efficiency.