10 ways to save on your fuel costs

In these difficult economic times owning a car can be an expensive necessity, with insurance and tax constantly on the rise, and prices at the pump seemingly increasing every week. But there are ways to improve your cars fuel cosumption, thus saving you some money.

Here at Lookers we have put together a list of 10 things for car owners to consider which should improve their cars petrol consumption.

1. Tyre Pressure – Tyres that are under inflated not only wear out quicker but they can also increase your cars fuel consumption by around 3%. Check the owner’s manual for the correct tyre pressure for your car; most petrol stations have air and water machines where you can pump your tyres up quickly and easily.
2. Considerate Gear Changing – Changing gears at the right time can affect your cars fuel consumption by around 15%, so be sure to do it correctly, changing in to a higher gear as soon as it is necessary to do so.
3. Remove any unnecessary weight – Lots of people are guilty of driving around with unnecessary objects in their car which adds to the weight of it, and the heavier your car is the more fuel it will consume. 
4. Gently does it – When parked at traffic lights and junctions, it is advisable to accelerate and drive away gently. People who pump their foot down hard on the accelerator pedal could waste around 60% more than drivers who are more gentle and considerate with their accelerating.
5. Appropriate use of Air Conditioning - Although it is great to have air conditioning in your car, it could cause of a large amount of fuel wastage if left on constantly. Only use it if really necessary and the blowers aren’t doing a good enough job.
6. Avoid driving too fast – It is very easy to speed along the motorway, but driving faster really won’t get you to your destination much faster and it can cost you a lot more in petrol.  If you travel along at the top speed limit of 70mph you are likely to use between 20% to 30% more fuel than if you were traveling at 50mph.
7. Don’t leave the engine running – At this time of year it’s very likely that you will find your car window frosted over first thing in the morning, and a lot of drivers tend to leave their engines warming up while the frost clears. But this can cause engine wear and fuel wastage. Use de-icer instead and try to drive off as soon as you can.
8. Look after your car – Car maintenance is very important; regular car servicing will ensure that the engine keeps running efficiently which is another important factor for fuel consumption.
9. Keep alert – Try to be aware of any obstructions, road signs or other drivers which might require you to slow down when on the road. The sooner you see them and start to break the more fuel you will safe if you can prevent having to come to a complete stop.
10. Only Drive when necessary – Whenever you get in to your car you should always consider if it is really necessary to drive to your destination. The best way to save money on fuel is simply not to use it, so if you are only making a quick 5 minute trip to the local shops maybe you could walk it instead.