Fuel for your car, whether petrol or diesel, is one of the biggest expenditures that we have after rent/mortgage – dependent upon how much you drive. So it makes sense to try and preserve as much of it as you can. There are simple steps that can save you money in the long run, and no matter how boring they appear to be, you can’t deny that these tips may come in handy when you’re on the red line between stations…
Check your tyre pressures
Checking to see if your tyres are blown up to the correct PSI for your vehicle will mean that you will get the best performance out of both your wheels and your car – especially the economy of the fuel tank. Tyres that are not adequately pressurised will create drag and more friction, affecting your MPG on every journey you complete. It’s important to get your car serviced regularly, rather than focusing on just the tyres every once in a while, to keep an eye on some fundamental parts of your car that could help you save fuel in the long-run.
Empty your car
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Any excess weight that you may be carrying in your car will be slowing you down without realising. Your vehicle will be working harder (therefore using more fuel) to get up to your desired speed. Think of it as riding a bicycle with a trailer or something attached onto the back – you have to put more effort in to get the bike up and moving.
Change your driving style
If you are an aggressive driver, and quite often practise how far you can get your needle into the red on the rev counter, this is going to massively impact the fuel economy of your vehicle. Steady shifting through the gears and monitoring how high your engine is revving can help you avoid as many trips to the petrol station as you would otherwise be making. If you can’t break out of the habits that you have gotten yourself into, search online for some driving instructors who may be able to help you correct them. It may help with other things you are struggling with that you may have forgotten since you first learned to drive. Revision courses aren’t to be scoffed at – they can genuinely help!
Check your speed
It’s a well known-fact that the speed you drive at and the gear that you are driving in are massive factors when it comes to the consumption of your fuel. The aim is to steadily get into the top gear possible for your surroundings; so around town, the highest gear available to you so that your car is not struggling to keep the pace but also isn’t revving up to tell you off for keeping it in a lower gear. It doesn’t mean you have to be speeding around everywhere and breaking certain laws in order to save a few pence – just be more mindful of what you could do to change your habits.
