As we all know, fuel is increasing in price at the pumps, almost daily. A lot of us are trying to reduce our fuel costs, and use our cars less. However, that isn’t always possible. People who live in rural areas, or commute to work, often don’t have a choice but to use a car. Public transport is abysmal, and expensive, here in the UK, even with capped bus fares.
How you drive your car, how well it is maintained, and when you drive it, can have a big impact on the amount of fuel that you use. Most of these hints are common sense, or you probably already know them. Sometimes, however, we just need a nudge or a jog of our memory.
Driving habits that save fuel.
1. Accelerate gently. Setting off at speed uses more fuel.
2. Try to keep a steady speed. Use cruise control when safe to do so.
3. If you have a gear stick, use higher gears sooner, but don’t let the engine struggle. Revs should be 1,500 to 2,000 rpm.
4. Fuel use rises rapidly after 50 to 60mph. Keep your speed down if possible.
5. Anticipate traffic so that you are not breaking hard. Use the car’s momentum to roll up to traffic lights, for instance.
6. Reduce idling when sitting in traffic. Turn your engine off if it safe to do so. Modern engines do this automatically, usually, but the setting can be switched on or off.
Plan trips
1. Try to combine your errands and journeys to avoid making shorter trips eg. visit the supermarket on the way home from work or school. Cold engines use more fuel.
2. Time your journey, if possible, to avoid rush hour. Stopping and starting uses a lot of fuel. A longer route with less traffic could save money.
3. Ask to work from home a few days a week, or ask for flexitime to avoid congestion. You have nothing to lose. Your employer can only say “No.”.
Lighten your car
1. Remove all that clutter from your car boot. I had 3 pairs of walking boots, a pushchair, tools, and some charity shop books in mine!
2. Remove any roof racks or top boxes.The drag and weight uses more fuel.
Maintenance
1. Service the engine regularly.
2. Keep tyres at the right pressure
3. The correct oil and regularly changing filters make your car more fuel efficient.
Air conditioning use.
Air conditioning increases fuel use, and so at slow speeds open the window. If going at speed on a motorway open windows may add drag, and not be fuel efficient. Use air conditioning only if you need to, but remember that heat can cause drowsiness.
Brake wisely
1. Lift your foot off the accelerator rather than braking, especially on hills. Keep a distance from the car in front to allow you to brake less.
2. Braking smoothly, accelerating smoothly, and smooth steering, equal less fuel. Studies indicate that this can save between 10 and 20% of fuel.
Save money when buying fuel.
1. Use supermarket loyalty schemes.
2. Fill up before going on Motorways as fuel at services is often a lot more expensive.
3. Use an app to find your cheapest fuel locally. PetrolPrices, Pump Prices UK, Fuelpal, FuelFind, are examples. It might not always be worth travelling to the cheapest if it is 5 miles away and only 2p less a litre. I recently saved nearly £3.50 by topping up at a petrol station that I passed on a journey to visit a relative.
4. If you top up with small amounts when passing a petrol station, try not to impulse buy. 😁😇
5. Fill up in the morning or evening. Fuel is denser when cooler. It is only a small saving but will add up over time.
Any one have any more advice for reducing fuel costs.?
I noticed people seemed to be driving slower yesterday.
Interestingly when we drove across France at the beginning of the week the information on the overhead gantries on the motorway were advising people to reduce their speed by 20 kilometres an hour.
Fuel prices in France were higher than here and the roads were very quiet.
Yes I have noticed that there are less cars on the road
I think the first step is to ask ‘do I really need to make this trip by car?’
If it’s a short distance, consider walking. Further distances can be covered by cycling. If I’m out with the kids we take their scooters as they can go further than if they walk.
People just seem to hop in the car by default these days. I’ve got a bad back so I look for opportunities to walk as much as possible, because walking is the #1 thing for helping my back.
I’m always surprised when friends from the same town drive to my house, it’s a flat 20 minute walk in a nice safe area.
Often it’s almost as quick to walk as drive by the time you’ve found a parking space etc
Obviously if you’ve got mobility issues you might be limited, this isn’t to criticise those with no other option.
Absolutely. We have all got so lazy nowadays. We walked everywhere when I was a kid.
In my area they want people to cycle and car share which is ok if you are fit enough to cycle and if you have someone going to the same area and working the same hours.
Yes it is too hilly where I live to cycle.
Luckily for me i put in a full tank just before it went up. I have since been extremely frugal with my trips. Only using the vehicle when necessary and combining chores on the way. If i see a cheaper garage on the way i top up to full. I have a bus pass and will be making full use of that also. Also have enough food in the pantry. Lesson learnt from Covid.It makes me sad though that I cannot just jump.in the car and go out for the day like I used to. I feel sorry for people that don’t seem to realise the situation we may face.
I know. Some people seem to have their heads in the sand. I am glad that you are prepared.
I love kit-kats! LOL. Thanks for all of your advice. It is appreciated by me and my family.
Barb
No worries. Thanks for comment8ng x
I don’t drive but I’m lucky to live in a city with many transit options (even if I do still complain) and I am right across the street from a subway station at home and at my office. I also benefit from only going into the office 3 mornings a week and I get a senior discount on my transit pass. I do feel for all of those having to fork out extra money – gas prices here have been up and down for the past month with deisil taking the real hit. Canada is a huge country and transport from both coasts is by rail and by truck so they will be feeling the cost increases and that will be passed along at some stage.
I keep a fairly good pantry but I’m adding a few things every week – always buy extras of what is on sale – this week it was jam and honey! I’m also looking at buying things like shoes and clothing as anything imported will also increase in cost.
Good idea about the shoes and clothes. Thanks for sharing