British drivers have had a difficult few months. The sight of long lines of cars at petrol stations all over the country last year was a painful reminder of the severe fuel shortages. The prices soared.
Drivers were again hit hard this year. Britain is currently in a cost-of-living crisis. Food and utility bills are rising. Due to global uncertainty and conflicts petrol prices have risen. According to the AA, filling a 55-litre vehicle now costs an average of £89.90. This is more than 30% higher than last year’s £68.57. It is depressing.
However, you cannot control the price or the wait times. You can make an impact on the amount of fuel you use, and it’s much easier than you think. No matter if there is a shortage, our experts have 9 top tips to save fuel. As the global oil supply is being destabilised by the conflict in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia, the price of petrol has reached a new record.
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The average petrol price for a litre is now 182.3p. Diesel fuel prices are at 188p. A tank of petrol costs £100.27, while diesel costs £103.43. However, many people consider running a car a necessity. This guide will help you save on petrol and lower the cost of driving. Experts in motoring have shared a few money-saving tips to help you fuel save as diesel and petrol prices continue to rise.
People across the UK are confronted with ever-increasing fuel, food, and energy prices as a result of rising living costs.
1) Check your tyre pressure
Under-inflating a tire by 15psi can cause it to use 6 percent more fuel.
You can cut costs by checking your tyre pressure regularly.
You can get 26 more miles with a 60-litre fuel tank. This will allow you to save as much as £65 annually.
2) Do not use the heating or air conditioner
It is tempting to keep the heating or air conditioning on high, but reducing the frequency of such use will make your petrol last for longer.
To reduce strain on your engine, consider wearing extra clothing in colder weather and rolling down the windows during the summer.
Driving at lower speeds and with more strain will result in a higher petrol consumption.
3) Drive smoothly and accelerate
Accelerate slowly! According to eartheasy, it’s dangerous, loud, and wastes 40% more fuel than simply pulling away. Imagine a glass of water on the dashboard. You should slow down and not rush to accelerate so that you don’t spill it.
Keep moving once you are moving. Try to anticipate what is next. It’s not worth racing to the traffic lights only for it to turn red and force you to slow down, wait, then pull away again. You will save fuel if you slow down and adjust your speed. You won’t need brakes if you time it correctly. There will be enough time for the green light to change.
4) Reduce excess weight in your car
Are you really going to use everything in your car? You can reduce your load and fuel consumption by getting rid of unnecessary items. While you shouldn’t forget the basics (a blanket and water are always sensible), it is a good idea to get rid of anything that doesn’t serve your purpose. You can leave the bike rack and the box of books that you have been meaning to donate to charity shops at home. Only bring what you really need.
5) Combine journeys
Do you need to go to the gym, shop for food or visit a friend? Instead of making many separate trips throughout the day, try to do these trips all in one go. Warm engines are more efficient, while cold engines can cause fuel consumption to increase.
6) Maintain vehicle maintenance
Proper maintenance will increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Apart from an annual MOT and service, there are other things you can do more often.
Check your tyre pressure before you drive. If necessary, pump them up. You can check your car’s manual to find the correct pounds per sq inch (PSI). You should check the tread depth of your tyres before they become too worn. Tires that are worn will cause poor grip on the roads. The tread depth is the distance between the tread and the road. Legally, it should not exceed 1.6mm.
Your car’s engine oil is vital for smooth operation. Check your engine oil levels with the dipstick when it is cool. If necessary, top up.
7) Avoid using your AC
A second tip to make your car more economically is to switch off your AC. It uses engine power which means it burns fuel.
It’s a good idea to use the air conditioner occasionally to maintain your seals, but you shouldn’t be using it too often if you are trying to save fuel.
Open the window instead, however, will use petrol as it creates drag on the car.
8) Use GPS navigation
We use satnav a lot, which is great because it saves us fuel when we get lost or stuck in jams.
Google Maps, an app that shows drivers the fastest routes and works in real-time to avoid traffic jams, is one example of such an app. When it launches eco-friendly routes in the UK, this year, it will show you which route is the most fuel-efficient.
9) Close the windows
It is also bad for fuel when you keep your windows open while driving, especially if you are going at high speeds like on the motorway. Because of the impact open windows have on your car’s aerodynamics and can cause drag that slows down your engine and makes it work harder.
If you drive slowly through densely populated areas, this is not a problem. However, it is worth paying attention to when you are driving on the motorway.
These are just a few ways to save petrol money.