How to Save Fuel While you are Driving

With the ever-increasing cost of fuel leading many people to put off filling their car up until the last possible minute, drivers are trying to be more economical than ever. Some journeys are a necessity, though, and as a result, road users are having to be smart in order to get the most mileage out of their vehicle.

Today we are going to look at how you can save some fuel whilst driving your vehicle. If followed, you could reduce your consumption by as much as 25%!

Carry our regular maintenance

Keeping your vehicle in good working order helps all the parts work the way they should. Tyres need to be the correct PSI. At the wrong level of pressure, you can make your car demand more from its engine, which in turn demands more fuel. In addition, you should check the engine. A damaged engine could behave inconsistently and therefore put harsher demands on your vehicle. If in any doubt, always seek the advice of a professional mechanic.

Gentle use of the pedals

Putting the pedal to the metal is not necessarily the best way to get the most out of your car. A sudden forceful application of pressure to the accelerator can use up much more fuel than a gradual push. For ultimate fuel efficiency reaching, 20 km/h should take 5 seconds from a standing start. The saying “slow and steady wins the race” comes into play, as a gentle acceleration to the speed you need is much more economical than a Formula 1 style getaway. Not only will you save money on fuel, but you’ll also look after your engine and other key components better.

Use the highest gear possible within the speed limit

According to the RAC, this is a little trick unknown to many. They recommend that you shift up the gears as quickly as possible with the lowest revs per minute. The faster your engine spins, the more fuel it is consuming. Unfortunately, there is not one defined speed that could be classed as the optimum for your car. A variety of factors could impact this, such as tyre pressure, driving style and any additional weight your car is carrying. On average, a car will be most efficient between 45-50 mph.

Maintain speed where possible

If your speed is constantly changing, you will be using more fuel. A change of 10 km/h every 18 seconds can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20%. If your car has cruise control, use it when you’re likely to cover an extended distance on flat roads at a consistent speed. This can help maintain steady fuel consumption. Using cruise control on hills is not beneficial – the technology cannot anticipate the incline or descent on a hill and, as a result, you will use more power for longer.

However, dipping a few km/h can have its uses. Where gravity comes into effect, you can take your foot off the gas when coming down a hill. The best practice for approaching a hill would be to accelerate a little before you reach it, and ease off as you ascend. The built-up momentum should minimise fuel consumption.

Anticipate changes on the road

Sticking to a consistent speed is an effective way to achieve great fuel economy. However, certain changes as you drive may mean that a constant speed is not possible. Slowing down and accelerating as you drive will use up more fuel. So, to get the best fuel consumption, it  pays to drive smoothly. Use your steering wheel, accelerator and brakes carefully. As you slow down, remain in gear. The fuel cut-off switch in a fuel injection will then activate, ensuring no fuel is used as you brake.

Looking at what is coming ahead also helps you. If you can spot traffic building up at lights, you can ease up on the accelerator or slow down naturally. This will allow you to keep moving instead of coming to a stop. Coasting to slow down is much more efficient than using your brakes.

Watch the weight and reduce the drag

If you have roof racks or other items attached to your car, you could be wasting a lot of fuel. By adding more weight and reducing the aerodynamics, you increase what is known as the drag effect. This puts extra demand on the vehicle and, as a result, uses more fuel. If you drive faster, you end up wasting even more. During hot weather, you will be inclined to open windows; this can also add to the drag effect and end up in more fuel being consumed. Put simply, remove any additional weight that is not needed and consider when you are opening windows.

Air conditioning and heaters

It is always nice to have the blast of aircon keeping you cool, or the heater warming you up. However, these luxuries come at a cost. Both use the engine to get them working, which means you’ll be using fuel. There isn’t much we can advise here other than dress suitably for the weather, if you are especially concerned about how much fuel you are getting through.

If you follow these simple tips, you may be able to get more use out of your car and as a result, save money. Maybe your current vehicle doesn’t deliver the best in fuel economy – if so, speak to us. With over 50,000 cars available, we can help you find whichever vehicle you need. Specialists in used car finance deals, as well as providing finance on new cars, our team ensures that everyone can get the car they want. If you are a new or experienced driver, or someone looking for bad credit car loans, contact the Euphoria Finance team today and see how easy it is to secure quick car finance.