Amid a rising cost of living, understanding how to make savings on everyday activities can make a big difference.
While prices at the pump have fallen from their peak in summer 2022, fuel remains a significant factor in our inflated regular outgoings.
That has perhaps had an influence on the fact that Brits are generally driving a lot less on average than two decades ago.
However, if you’re on the road regularly, efficient driving can have significant benefits to your wallet and your carbon footprint. The higher your miles per gallon (MPG), the further you will be able to drive before heading back to the pumps.
Smooth Acceleration and Braking
Think of it this way: every time you put your foot down on the gas pedal, money and carbon dioxide is on its way out of your car’s exhaust.
You wouldn’t just throw fistfuls of cash away. But stamping down on the accelerator is the equivalent of doing just that, burning fuel at a much faster rate.
Smoothly using the gas pedal gets you where you’re going in just as much time and also means you don’t need to visit the petrol station quite so often.
Maintain Optimal Tire Pressure
The right tyre pressures for your car should be printed in your owner’s manual, while many models also have the figures printed somewhere on the chassis.
Those numbers are there for a reason, they’re the optimal settings for your car so make sure you regularly check that your pressures are correct.
You may need to change them for certain journeys, for example if you’re going away on holiday and have luggage in the car with you and a few friends.
Minimize Idling to Reduce Fuel Waste
Pulling over the make a phone call, waiting to pick up a friend – it’s easy to keep your engine running absent-mindedly in these scenarios.
This “idling” not only affects the air quality around you, but it could also cost you money as the engine will still use small amounts of fuel to run.
Other ways to save on motoring costs
- Shop around for insurance: This is another regular motoring cost that has risen recently. Make sure you compare several quotes to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
- Consider second-hand: If it’s time to replace your vehicle, do you need to buy brand-new? There are all kinds of options available to you. For example, many approved used Vauxhall cars perform just as wellas one rolled fresh off the forecourt for the first time.
- Take out a service plan: This is a pre-emptive measure that can help you find and fix smaller issues with your car before they become larger, more complex – and costlier – issues for a garage to deal with.
