How to Save Money During the Fuel Crisis
Fuel is now at almost £2 per litre, and is looking like it’s going to surpass that in the next coming weeks. It’s a worrying time for everyone figuring out how they can afford to run their cars, especially when they need to be used daily for going to and from work and running errands.
To help you avoid filling up so often, here are some things you can do.
Drive gently
One of the biggest reasons for using more fuel is aggressive and fast driving. Try keeping your car in lower rpm ranges, and don’t shift gears as often, as this puts more strain on the engine. Additionally, be gentle when both accelerating and braking.
Keep an eye on your tyre pressure
Under-inflated tyres are likely to sag on either side, which increases something called rolling resistance. Essentially, this means your car is going to need more fuel to gain enough power to overcome the low tyre pressure.
You can check your car's recommended tyre pressures in your vehicle handbook, or in the door sill on the driver's side.
Keep your vehicle light
Increased weight is going to automatically cause you to use more fuel, as the vehicle needs extra power to get it up to speed, and keep it moving at that constant speed.
So, think about removing your roof rack if you’re not using it and don’t need it, take out child car seats, or anything else you don’t need to be carrying.
Avoid using the air con
Using the air conditioning in your car can increase your fuel consumption by up to as much as 10%.
This is because a certain amount of fuel is needed to convert and carry the cool air into the cabin of your car. Instead, try opening your windows slightly, but remember to close them if you’re going at high speeds, as this can cause increased fuel consumption also.
Shop around for your fuel
When compared to branded petrol stations such as Shell, supermarket fuel prices are often lower.
This is due to the fact that branded fuels are regarded as higher performance fuels as a result of the brands adding extra ingredients to make them more efficient.
Consider a new car
It may be the case that your particular model of car consumes a lot of fuel, despite making these changes.
If this is the case, you can consider upgrading to a newer car with better mpg stats. Having a car with a stop/start system could also prevent you using unnecessary fuel while idling in traffic too.
Consider your options before driving
Consider whether you need to use your car when organising your trip and before you leave.
If you were going to drive somewhere within a reasonable distance, consider walking or cycling.
A few simple changes, such as the ones listed above, can have a significant impact on your fuel consumption and the expenditures you incur over time. Try some of these suggestions and let us know what you think, and please spread the word.