How to reduce fuel costs
AA’s ‘Drive Smart’ eco driving project helps motorists reduce fuel consumption by up to a third.
Top Tips for driving down fuel costs - expert advice from AA Driving School
Maintenance
Regular Servicing - Get the car serviced regularly (according to the manufacturer's schedule) to maintain engine efficiency. Engine oil - Make sure you use the correct specification of engine oil (refer to the handbook)
Tyre pressures - Check tyre pressures regularly and before long journeys. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance and so use more fuel. Refer to the handbook for recommended pressures.
Before you go
Lose weight - Extra weight means extra fuel so if there's stuff in the boot you don't need take it out.
Streamline - Roof racks/boxes create extra wind resistance and increase fuel consumption. If you don't need it take it off. If you do, pack carefully to reduce the extra drag.
Don't get lost - Plan unfamiliar journeys to reduce the chance of getting lost - try the AA Route planner or a Sat Nav. Check the traffic news before you go too.
Combine short trips - Cold starts are inefficient so avoid multiple trips by combining errands such as buying the paper, dropping-off the recycling, or collecting the kids.
Consider alternatives - If it's a short journey consider walking or cycling
On the Way
Leave promptly - Don't start the engine until you're ready to go. In winter, scrape ice rather than leave the car idling for a long period to warm up.
Easy does it - Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
Decelerate smoothly - When you have to slow down or stop, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear.
Rolling - If you can keep the car moving all the time, so much the better. Stopping then starting again uses more fuel.
Change up earlier - Change gear as soon as possible without laboring the engine - try changing up at an engine speed of around 2000 rpm in a diesel car or around 2500 rpm in a petrol car.
Cut down on the air-con - Don't leave air conditioning on all the time - it increases fuel consumption, especially at low speeds.
Turn it off - Any electrical load increases fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen, demister blowers and headlights when you don't need them.
Stick to the speed limit - The faster you go the greater the fuel consumption. According to the Department for Transport, driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more than at 50mph. Cruising at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph.
Don't be idle - If you do get caught in a queue, turn the engine off if it looks like you could be waiting for more than three minutes.
Some common misconceptions about Eco Driving
I need a big car for work/family so high fuel costs are unavoidable
In general, the bigger the engine the greater the fuel consumption - but a larger vehicle may be the most fuel-efficient way to transport bigger loads of people or cargo (e.g. one people carrier uses less fuel than two cars). Fuel efficiency varies by make and model and newer cars tend to be more fuel efficient. Shop around and use eco driving techniques to further cut fuel consumption.
All I need to do is switch to diesel
In general, diesel is more efficient for longer journeys; but small petrol cars are best for around town. Choose accordingly, but bear in mind that you will generally pay significantly more to buy a diesel car.
I can't switch to cheaper unleaded petrol as my car needs Super
Many drivers using Super don't actually need it. Apart from certain ‘performance' cars, if you fill up with Super you are probably just paying more per litre, for no benefit.
I can save fuel by ‘coasting' down hills with the car out of gear
Coasting is inadvisable as the driver doesn't have full control of the vehicle. Advances in vehicle fuel systems mean it won't save you fuel either!