Motorists can save 25% on fuel bills

Motorists can save on fuel through improving driving habits and making sure their vehicle is maintained correctly.

Most drivers could save around 25% on their fuel bill by improving their driving skills and carrying out simple Do-it-Yourself maintenance jobs. Small improvements would also reduce vehicle pollution and improve road safety according to mail order specialist, Car Parts Direct.

Mark Cornwall of Car Parts Direct said: “Lots of motorists complain when the cost of petrol or diesel increases, yet most drivers waste fuel every day as soon as they step into their vehicle. Most of what we recommend to our customers is common sense. It’s good for the motorists and the environment. The only real loser would be the taxman who takes a hefty 60 pence from every 90 pence we spend on a litre of fuel – that alone should be enough to encourage motorists to be more frugal.”

Check your tyre pressures every two weeks. Under-inflated tyres can cost you 8% more on fuel and under or over inflated tyres wear out faster too. According to the RAC up to 90% of vehicles on the road have tyres with incorrect pressures.

Smooth and consistent driving can reduce fuel consumption by more than 10 per cent in urban areas. Good gear changing can save a driver as much as 20%.

Loaded vehicles and leaving a roof rack on a vehicle can add as much as 30% to the fuel bill. Unload the vehicle and remove a roof rack when not required.

Turn off the air conditioning and the heated rear window when they're not needed to save around 10% at the pumps.

Avoid excessive idling of your engine - it is often more economical to switch off the engine. Idling also adds to pollution so it will help both your pocket and the planet.

Drive at the recommended speed. Every 5 miles per hour that you drive over 60mph can reduce your fuel economy by 10%.

Fuel prices at the pumps can vary by as much as 15% - shop around. The Car Parts Direct website provides a link to find the lowest fuel prices in the UK.

Motorists can also save as much as 20% on fuel AND increase engine reliability and performance by carrying out a simple Do-it-Yourself engine service.

The mail order specialist provides a ‘DIY 30-minute Engine Service Kit’. The kit includes an engine flush, oil filter, five litres of the top of the range fully synthetic performance engine oil, a Friction Film P.T.F.E performance engine additive and a high powered fuel injection cleaner.

The engine flush provided clears sludge that builds up in old engine oil. The latest specification of fully synthetic engine oil, together with Friction Film provides one of the highest levels of lubrication resulting in less friction and increased economy. The fuel injection cleaner is simply added to the fuel and clears blocked injectors and allows maximum fuel efficiency for both petrol and diesel engines. Fuel injection cleaner can reduce high exhaust emissions too, a common failure at MOT time.

The ‘D.I.Y 30-minute Engine Service Kit’ costs £69 including free delivery anywhere in the UK. Visit carparts-direct.co.uk.