Given that prices for petrol and diesel prices are always rising, it is worth looking at ways to reduce this cost. Like with electric, there are pretty much two ways:
Paying less - This is difficult but if prices at all the garages are equal, go where you can get loyalty points.
Improve efficiency - By making your car more efficient, you can lower the fuel needed.
This guide will focus on the second point and suggest simple ideas that may help improve your cars efficiency.
Note that for short journeys, there is another option which is cheaper, healthier and requires no extra equipment - walking. The first question should always be 'do I need to drive to my destination?', if the distance is less than a mile, probably not.
For those that need to drive, hopefully the following tips will help you.
Cars are heavy and it takes a lot of energy to move them. By clearing out any junk and rubbish in your car, you help reduce this weight. The main things in your car should be emergency gear and a spare tyre.
Wind resistance means your car has to work harder to move. If you have a removable roof rack / roof box, taking it off will reduce some of this resistance.
All these tips are based on the theory that the easier the car is to move, the less work for the engine meaning less fuel is needed. One of the most important things to check is tyre pressure. If tyre pressure is too low, other than being dangerous, it means more contact with the road and more resistance meaning more effort is needed to move. Check your tyre pressure is correct!
As well as tyre pressure, regular servicing (e.g. oil change, new spark plugs) can help make sure your car engine is in good shape. Some things you may be able to do yourself but for complex and messy tasks, best get a garage to take a look. If you don't have a local garage #Halfords is a generally a good option.
Most cars have a sweet spot when it comes to speed, usually around 55mph. Driving with a lead foot is bad for fuel economy and so is hard braking!