On an economy drive?

As fuel prices once again reach the £1 per litre mark, there are some very simple steps drivers can take to cut their bills, according to Money Saving Handbook, a Which? essential guide.

Drive more slowly - Driving at 50 mph instead of 70 mph can cut your fuel bill by 30 per cent.

Check tyres often - Under-inflated tyres can add eight per cent to fuel bills and are likely to lead to uneven wear and premature failure, resulting in further expense.

Change up and down the gears - Up to 25 per cent can be saved on fuel bills by doing this at the right time. Don't race the engine in too low a gear, but also don't labour the engine in too high a gear.

Only use a roof rack or bike rack when essential - A fully loaded roof rack can add up to 30 per cent to your fuel bills.

Switch off the air-conditioning - Keeping the air-con on all the time can add up to 10 per cent to the cost of your fuel bill.

Tony Levene, author of Money Saving Handbook, a Which? essential guide, says: "There are some fixed costs involved in driving a car that you have to pay whether you drive 2,000 miles or 20,000 miles a year. But if you can reduce your fuel bill by a couple of pounds each journey by making a few simple changes to the way you drive or use your car, why not? With petrol costs rising and people feeling the pinch, those couple of pounds could make all the difference at the moment."