Fuel. The bane of your life if you own a vehicle in the UK and one of the most expensive aspects of being a motorist.
If only there were ways to reduce your fuel costs and save money every time you head to the pumps.
Well, your dreams have just come true!
In this article, we’ll dish out 11 creative ways to save fuel so you can spend money on more important things like gifts for the family, mulled wine, and overpriced gifts from Christmas markets.
1. The importance of NOT being idle
Idling is when you stop for a decent amount of time, say 30 seconds or more, and leave your engine running. This might be a red light, picking the kids up from school, or nipping into the post office to pick up a parcel.
Instead of idling, turn the engine off. It’s better for the environment and modern vehicles use barely any fuel to restart, much less than they use idling, anyway.
Idling also means not coasting in neutral, so stay in gear as you approach a stop.
2. Take it slow
The faster you drive, the harder your engine has to work and the more fuel you burn. It’s simple, really, but speeding is an inefficient way to drive and a costly one at that.
To get into the nitty-gritty, The AA says that driving at 80mph is 25% more expensive than driving at 70mph in terms of fuel costs. The ideal range would be between 45 and 50mph.
3. Plan your routes better
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail, and in this case, failing to plan means spending more money on fuel. Lots of drivers are a bit old school and take routes they like or think are better than they actually are, but this could be costing you more than you think in fuel costs.
If you’re trying to watch the pennies, use a satnav or directions from your phone (safely of course) for all your routes. They’re designed to provide the most efficient option and will often provide alternatives to congested areas. This will reduce the amount you brake and accelerate, offering a potentially smoother, cheaper ride than the one you might have taken.
4. Watch your weight
Here’s a stat for you. Every 50kg of weight reduces fuel economy by up to 2%. Doesn’t sound a lot, but it might save you a good chunk over time. This means maybe not offering your mates a lift every day to work and instead, going it alone.
If you still want to have some friends, however, check your boot and if you have any items that are weighing you down, ditch them. So, don’t use your car as a storage locker and get rid of daft bits of furniture and other bits you promised to take to the tip three months ago.
Oh, and take your roof rack off if you aren’t using it because it can add up to 16% drag at 75mph. Don’t get us started on roof boxes, either, which can add 39% and make your car much less fuel efficient according to RAC.
5. Think about your windows
It’s wintertime and not many people drive with their windows open, but if the mood strikes, keep ‘em closed at high speeds. Open windows on A-roads and motorways cause increased air resistance which is a surprisingly large drain on your fuel consumption.
And when your windows are down, don’t crank up the air con to beat the heat. Air conditioning is actually worse for fuel consumption than opening your windows. The trick is to open your windows at lower speeds and keep your air conditioning use to a minimum.
6. Don’t over-rev
High revs mean high prices at the pump so keep your revs low and consider higher gears when it’s safe and doesn’t slow you down.
The reason revving is so harmful is that you’re putting extra strain on the engine and burning more fuel as a result. This creates an inefficient fuel-to-power ratio because you’re using more fuel but not going any faster. You also increase the friction within your engine which once again requires more fuel and costs more money.
7. Ditch the Docs
Doc Martens might look stylish, but it’s best to avoid thick soles or heels when driving if you’re watching your fuel consumption. Since you’ll have less sensitivity to the pedals, you’ll accelerate and brake more harshly, most of the time. This makes for a bumpy rude and unfortunately, higher fuel costs for most people.
8. Tail big vehicles
Not like you’re in a police chase, mind, but sticking behind lorries and other large vehicles reduces air resistance because you’ve placed your car into their slipstream. This means you’ve reduced your air resistance because the bigger vehicle has done the hard work and already pushed through that pesky air.
Don’t get us wrong, this one isn’t going to save you millions, and you should always be as careful as possible when behind any large vehicle, giving them plenty of space!
9. Keep your tyres inflated
As surprising as it may be, if your tyre is 1cm underinflated, it could increase wind resistance by 1.5%. This will soon add up when it comes to filling up and could be a considerable cost over the years. So, keep your tyres well-inflated for a smoother journey as well as a cheaper one.
10. Get on yer bike
Not everybody lives close enough to work to ride their bicycles, but if you have the option of taking the bus now and then or cycling, take it. We know, it’s not ideal and there’s no heating on a bike, but if you’re serious about saving money on your fuel, you might want to consider alternatives to driving every day.
11. Go electric!
Of course, a great way to save money on fuel is to eliminate it from your life. This could mean choosing an electric vehicle for your next car. Not only can you do your bit for the environment, but you’ll be doing a lot for your wallet because EVs tend to be significantly cheaper to charge than a petrol or diesel car costs to constantly fill up.
