Specialist insurance broker ChoiceQuote has compiled tips on ways you can improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency from maintaining tyre pressure to minimising idling time.
Maintain tyre pressure
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure should not only extend the life of your tyres and improve vehicle safety, but also improve your car’s fuel efficiency.
Overinflated or underinflated tyres can significantly impact fuel efficiency because of having extra resistance to the road. You can check your tyres at home by using a well calibrated pressure gauge – this can be either manual or digital. Then, when the tyres are cold, to provide an accurate reading, remove the valve cap and insert the gauge onto the valve and push until it stops hissing. Then, check the reading and compare it to the recommended pressure for your vehicle and repeat this process for all four tyres.
Unload your boot
The more weight you have in your car, whether that be in the boot or on the back seat, the harder your engine will have to work to get up to speed. Ensure that you have taken out any unnecessary belongings you may have with you before setting off on your journey.
Reduce air con usage
Both air conditioning and heating use engine power and therefore increase your vehicles fuel consumption. Therefore, try to dress for the weather even when in your car.
Minimise idling time
Idling is when you leave your vehicle’s engine running while it is not in motion. It not only impacts emissions and noise pollution, but it also impacts the amount of fuel that is used by your vehicle. Research found that idling for an hour can waste half a gallon of fuel [2]. Over a long period of time, this can add up to a lot of fuel wastage. Leaving your engine running is also an offence so ensure that you switch it off when possible, although some newer cars automatically cut off when stationary for a few seconds.
Drive with care
Excessive speed has a detrimental impact on fuel consumption. Maintain a steady speed and opt for cruise control where possible on your journey. Furthermore, the harder you accelerate, the more fuel you use. Aim to accelerate as gently as possible to reduce fuel wastage to result in a lower cost per mile.
Phil Leese, Taxi and Specialist Motor Trading Manager, at specialist insurance broker ChoiceQuote said, “With the cost-of-living crisis, many are looking to save money as and when they can. These simple tips can help improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and therefore lower fuel costs.
“We encourage drivers to not only maintain their car frequently with checking their tyre pressure but also make small adaptations to driving style such as avoiding excessive speed.”