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Fuel Saving Advice

Tips to keep your fuel costs low

With fuel costs fluctuating on a daily basis and with the general trend pointing upwards, drivers feel the need to reduce their overall fuel consumption to keep the costs under control.

Of course, this starts already with the car you opt to buy as manufacturers outbid each other with announcements of the latest and most innnovative fuel saving technologies. However, the consuption can be also heavily influenced by the individual driving behaviour and general maintenance of the car, sometimes this will make a difference of 50 per cent in your bill.

Click through our gallery below, to find out what you can do on a regular basis in order to control the thirst of your four-wheeled mule:

Engine efficiency

Make sure your car gets serviced regularly by a garage to avoid a poorly tuned engine, which can use up to 50 per cent more fuel than a car that is well looked after.

Tyre tread

On a monthly basis, check that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. If not, even with just one tyre deflated by 20 per cent, fuel consumption could rise by five per cent.

Lose weight

For every one per cent of the car’s weight that you add, fuel consumption could rise by one per cent, so take out anything that you don’t need in the car.

Eliminate short journeys

Cold engines are thirsty engines, so really short journeys will be relatively expensive if driving just a short distance. Opt to walk, or even cycle - it is not only the cheaper, but also the healthier option!

Plan ahead

Plan your trips to avoid road works, or getting lost, which causes an estimated 350,000 tons of fuel wastage each year.

Also try to adjust your driving behaviour to what is happening ahead of you on the road to avoid sudden breaking or acceleration.

Slow down

Most cars run at their most efficient at approximately 100 km/h, and for every 8 km/h above that you drive, you will lose six per cent of your fuel economy. So slow down to save money.

Air conditioning

If not needed, switch the air conditioning in your car off to reduce demand on the engine. However, ensure that it is on for several minutes at least every couple of weeks to prevent a build up of harmful bacteria in the system.

Exploring for fuel

Don’t go out of your way to make a saving, as you could spend more on getting to a cheaper dealer, so fill up when you are passing, rather than making a separate journey. If you have a smartphone, you can also use helpful apps like vivagas to find the best prices near by where you are.