Tips for Saving Petrol While Driving

If you drive, there’s no doubt you’ve noticed the amount it costs to fill up your car/van/truck with petrol or diesel has decreased over the last few weeks. The price at the pumps has continued to go down as the price of oil has decreased, but we’re so used to paying sky-high prices, that we’ve lost sight of the fact that petrol and diesel used to be so much cheaper. As for many people driving a vehicle is still a necessity, here are some tips on how to cut your fuel bills even further.

Keep Moving; Keep Warm

A cold engine needs more fuel over the first five miles of use, to allow it to warm up, so it makes sense when you’re planning your day’s errands and trips, to try to do them in one outing. This means the engine doesn’t get so cold that it needs to ‘start’ again to warm up, thus increasing fuel consumption. But also think about the time of day you’re going to be travelling. I’m sure there’s nobody who ever relishes the thought of getting stuck in traffic, but apart from the frustration, boredom and lateness it creates, it also burns your fuel! Having to frequently stop and then pull away again in first gear uses a huge amount of energy and fuel. It’s best to try to continue travelling at a slow speed, rather than stopping completely, but make sure the movement is steady – no accelerating and heavy braking!

Lose Weight; Change Shape

This is not a personal comment, it just means don’t drive with unnecessary weight in your car, and make it as sleek as possible. When was the last time you cleared out your boot? Got some heavy golf clubs in there? The heavier the vehicle, the more fuel it needs to move. You can also reduce the ‘drag’ on your vehicle by ensuring windows and sun roofs are closed, and roof racks and luggage boxes are taken off if not being used. The heavier and less sleek your vehicle, the more fuel it needs to move, so remove anything you don’t need.

Acceleration and Speed Limitation

Don't push the accelerator down too far; use the correct gear for the speed you need. And when thinking about speed, despite the temptation to put your foot down to get to your destination in less time, those twenty minutes you might save on a 200 mile trip, might cost you up to £7 extra in fuel!

Bad Air Days

Did you know that your vehicle’s air conditioning uses a substantial amount of fuel? Use it sparingly. Also, the air in your tyres is an important factor to consider when you’re trying to economise on fuel. The lower the tyre pressure, the more fuel the car needs to move it, so it’s worth checking the pressures regularly.

All of these tips are easy enough to try to get in the habit of doing. And if you’re hiring a vehicle from St. Albans Car and Van Hire, whether it’s for a special trip or visit, or to move some items, we want to ensure you’re getting the most miles for your money.