Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has shared his top tips to help drivers save hundreds of pounds on fuel as prices reach record levels.
The average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 185.4p on Monday, according to data firm Experian. That is an increase of 6.9p in just one week. The average price of diesel was a record 191.2p per litre the same day.
It comes after reports that fuel thefts from petrol station forecourts have surged as prices continue to spike, with the cost of filling a tank now as much as £100.
To help ease the financial burden, Mr Lewis and the RAC have teamed up to offer advice on how to make your fuel budget last longer.
Step one: Increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle
There are several ways you can reduce fuel consumption by making small changes to your car, Mr Lewis says.
According to moneysavingexpert.com, lower tyre pressures increase drag on a car, which will use up more fuel. Regularly checking your tyre pressures are correct can save you money.
Getting rid of extra weight from your car can also increase efficiency, as the lighter the car, the easier it is to accelerate.
A roof rack adds wind resistance to your car, even if it is not being used, which makes the engine work harder. Taking it off can help reduce fuel consumption.
Air conditioning in your car uses engine power, so turning it off at lower speeds and having the windows open instead can help save you fuel.
However, at higher speeds it’s better to use air conditioning and keep the windows up, because of the extra drag caused by having them open.
Fuel is heavy, so filling up the car adds a lot of weight, which in turn means you use more fuel.
To get around this, moneysavingexpert.com suggests you fill up slightly more often and put less in (to ½ or ¾ full).
Cruise control helps you save fuel on flat roads by maintaining a constant speed, avoiding unnecessary acceleration.
However, when used regularly on roads that aren’t flat, it will increase how much fuel you use because it is slower to react to changes in gradient, meaning it will accelerate for longer than a driver would when going up a hill.
Motorways are usually flat, so reserve it for when you can cruise along.
Step two: Change your driving habits
A smoother drive will not only help you keep your purse strings closed for longer, but is also better for the environment.
The more you accelerate, the more fuel you use. Stay under 3,000 revs, as a rough rule.
Always drive in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine, and change the gear much earlier than feels natural. Planning ahead means more efficient driving.
Try not to hit the brakes too rapidly, as this leads to more acceleration, thus using more fuel. Instead, make the most of the car’s momentum – good road positioning is crucial for this.
If you feel sharp acceleration and hear screeching brakes, you know you’re doing it wrong.
It takes a huge amount of energy to get a car going, so staying on the move can be more fuel-efficient. If you can do so safely, try to roll up slowly towards a traffic light, as it may change from red to green without your having to stop.
Coasting in neutral can feel like you’re saving fuel, but it’s dangerous, so don’t do it – the most expensive thing you can do while driving is to cause an accident.
Step three: Shop around for the cheapest local petrol
Use a price comparison tool such as PetrolPrices.com to find the cheapest fuel in your area.
It will list the cheapest filling stations within a given distance, and covers around 8,500 forecourts across the UK.
You can also keep an eye out for short-lived fuel discount promos that pop up now and again.
Step four: Use cashback credit cards
Cashback credit cards pay you back each time you spend on them, but only work if you set up a direct debit to repay the card in full each month, so you never pay interest, which would dwarf any cash saved.
Step five: Share the ride
Driving less is the most obvious way to save money on fuel, so why not see if you can share a ride with colleagues on the way to work? This also has the benefit of being better for the environment, with fewer cars on the road.
There are also sites such as Liftshare and BlaBlaCar, which can connect people on the same journey – but be cautious whenever you get into a car, and ask to check the driver’s ID.
