Fuel saving tips from Haynes

Newspapers make gloomy reading for motorists with headlines announcing fuel prices have risen to almost £1 per litre. The increase follows a 2p rise in fuel duty announced in this year's Budget. Reports say the average price of a litre of unleaded petrol is around 97.8p, with diesel averaging around 99.77p.

More bad news is on the way. Under the Budget announcement, there will be an increase of 2p a litre due next April and a further rise of 1.84p in April 2009.

A number of UK motoring organisations have attacked the move, reportedly saying that from today the UK driver will be paying an extra £4.84 more than a year ago to fill the tank of the average family petrol driven car.

By contrast, Haynes, foremost publisher of car and motorcycle manuals and dedicated to saving motorists money, offers practical advice for negating the increased cost of fuel.

J Haynes, managing director of Haynes Publishing, says: "Unfortunately, high fuel prices are a fact of life. However, there are many ways motorists can actually reduce their fuel bills. Doing so has other benefits – reducing congestion and lowering harmful emissions, for instance."

Haynes has the following advice for lowering fuel bills.

Stay below the legal limit of 70mph on motorways

Allow extra time for your journey and drive at 50mph instead of 70mph – the Slower Speeds Initiative says this can save you 30 per cent of your fuel bill

Don't use high engine revolutions (rpm). Change gears so that your engine is operating at its most fuel efficient (usually the rpm where maximum torque is generated)

Check your tyre pressures regularly. If they're under inflated it will cost you eight per cent more fuel.

Don't leave the roof rack on ready for next summer – it adds drag which uses more fuel

The best way to save fuel is to leave your car at home! Use public transport, walk or cycle

Haynes manuals are available for 80 per cent of cars over three years old on UK roads. They contain many tips for saving fuel and show motorists how they can save money on garage bills by doing simple servicing and maintenance tasks themselves.

Haynes Manuals retail at £18.99 (hardback) – less than a tankful of fuel. They are available from haynes.co.uk or from all good automotive accessory retailers and bookshops including Halfords and Motor World.