The cost of petrol and diesel is rising in the UK - and experts are predicting it will rise further still.
At a time when the country is also facing a cost of living crisis, getting the most for your money has never been so important. Households have been trying to cut costs and reduce outgoings where possible since the energy price cap was increased.
But one thing most people can't do without is their vehicles as they probably rely on them for daily tasks such as taking their children to school or travelling to work - and filling it with fuel is something they can't avoid doing.
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However, Tom Hixon, head of instructor support at Bill Plant Driving School, has shared five tips that could be helpful for drivers looking to reduce the amount they are paying for fuel.
He said: "With the cost of living seeing no signs of improving any time soon, people across the country are doing all they can to cut costs where possible and with fuel prices hitting an all time high, our vehicles can have a big impact on our finances.
“For most people, driving is a part of everyday life and is essential for commuting to work, taking the children to school and attending appointments. As fuel prices continue to rise, these everyday tasks we once took for granted are having to be more carefully considered. With this in mind, it’s important motorists are aware of the steps they can take to reduce the amount they’re spending on fuel.
“You can cut fuel consumption in a number of ways, including making sure the vehicle’s tyres are correctly inflated, sticking to the speed limit and potentially by even switching off your air con. Although these may sound like minor changes, they will all play a part in reducing the amount you’re spending on fuel, which will have a positive impact on your overall finances.”
Here are the five tips recommended for drivers:
Check your tyre pressure
Your vehicle’s tyres will have an impact on the amount of fuel you use. If your tyres are inflated correctly the vehicle will experience more rolling resistance which will mean the engine has to work harder to compensate.
Switch off your air con
You might be unaware of the face that using the air conditioning system is eating into the amount of fuel in the vehicle’s tank. Air con can increase fuel consumption by 10% according to reports, so you may want to reduce the amount of time it’s on for.
Monitor your driving
The way in which you drive can have an impact on the amount of fuel your vehicle is using and with this in mind, it’s important to drive as smoothly as possible.
Stick to the speed limit
The faster your vehicle goes results in a higher fuel consumption. Reports have suggested that driving at 80mph on a motorway uses 25% more fuel than 70mph, for example.
Avoid premium fuel
In most cases though, opting for premium fuel doesn’t have any additional benefits and can cost up to 15p a litre more on average, so it may be wise to opt for the standard fuel in future.
