Anyone who watches Top Gear will know that our love affair with the car is unlikely to mean that we’ll all start driving less. Boris Johnson’s free cycle hire in London may get more people on their bikes, but mostly, driving is still the preferred and most practical method of travel for most people.
As the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has proved, however, oil is becoming more expensive and difficult to extract. This means that apart from the terrible environmental effects of oil spills occurring, petrol prices are becoming more and more expensive. While this may make us all think twice before jumping in the car, which can only be a good thing, realistically, we do still need to get around without having to remortgage the house.
But before you invest in a horse and cart, or decide never to go anywhere (both mad solutions I will admit) a slightly easier way might be to cut your motoring costs. The average annual expenditure on motoring (excluding loan repayments for a vehicle) is now around £2,338,per year. Which is an awful lot. So finding ways to save on fuel can save you a whole lot more. Everything from weight to tyre pressure can affect fuel consumption, so it pays to make sure you’re not spending more than you need.
Jeremy Clarkson, a self-confessed petrolhead, once calculated that simply having a moustache can cost an extra £5 in fuel a year. So. To sweep aside the moustache for a moment, here are a few more tips to help you save money on fuel.
Where to buy cheaper petrol?
You have to sign up, but petrolprices.com will tell you how much fuel in your local area costs, so you can find the cheapest station. It also has loads of other really useful info and advice about motoring.
Park nicely
If you have to make difficult manoeuvres when you start your car up, you’ll use a lot more petrol because the engine is cold. So reverse into your drive or parking space when you park, so you can just get in and drive straight out when you start the car next time. And remember, if you’re rushing to work in the morning, you’ll also save time…so that’s an extra one minute of zzzzzzzzz’s!
Downsizing
Do you own a big beast of a gas guzzler? If so, you might want to think about getting something smaller and more fuel efficient. A smaller car is also easier to park! If you’re unsure what kind of car would be best, and you know how much fuel your car, or a car you’re planning to buy uses per gallon, this car costs calculator does an excellent job in working out the annual costs of running it.
Keep the weight off
If the inside of your car looks as if you’re off to a car boot sale, it might be an idea to review the things you’re driving around with. Extra weight will make a huge difference to your consumption, so think about everything you’re carrying. Even the roof rack isn’t necessary if you’re not using it. How much a nodding dog weighs I do not know, but it’s best not to have one anyway.
Slow Down!
Accelerator happy driving will cost you a lot more in petrol, so it’s worth remembering that a Lewis Hamilton driving style is best reserved for Silverstone. And that’s not to mention the speeding fines; also something Lewis doesn’t need to worry about. The average car consumes 38% more fuel at 70mph than it does over the same distance at 50mph.
At 60mph it uses 34% more than at 40mph and a driver in an average-size car travelling at 90mph on a motorway will spend about £1.20 more on fuel every eight minutes than a driver travelling at 70mph. Drive smoothly, brake and accelerate gently, and don’t tail gate the car in front – because it will cause you to use your brakes more.
And if you’re always in a rush – just remember The Tortoise and the Hare. No one knows why a hare and a tortoise decided to have a race – but it does prove that speed doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get there any quicker. ( I think)
Take the pressure off
Tyre pressure is very important. Tyres that don’t have enough air in them, create resistance, and use more fuel. If, for example, they’re under inflated by just 20% this will result in a 3% increase in fuel consumption, which doesn’t sound much, but adds up over many miles. Always use the correct tyre pressure, and check the pressure when the tyres are cold. Try tyrepressures.com for the correct pressure for your car http://www.tyre-pressures.com/ or ask a friendly garage person for help.
No Air Conditioning
Air conditioning increases your fuel consumption by 10%, so switch it off and open the window instead. However, don’t be tempted to open the window if you are driving over 50 mph. This will also use more fuel as it creates drag. So if it’s very hot, it might be better to put your journey off. This is England, so it’s not going to happen often!
Use a SatNav
Providing it doesn’t direct you to Edinburgh from Manchester via Brighton, a satnav will help you save fuel by taking you straight there without getting lost. Or, if you’re feeling flush right now, invest in an Econav – an eco-friendly satnav that also tells you how to save fuel as you drive. It might be a nag, but it will save you money! http://www.vexia.co.uk/
Use a Cash Back Credit Card
If you have access to credit, and do a lot of driving, it’s worth using one of these to fill up – and then you’ll be rewarded for every litre of petrol you buy. Just remember to pay it off in full every month, otherwise you’ll end up paying interest.
Happy Motoring!
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