Beginner's Guide To Better Fuel Efficiency

Kate Brady

Do you ever find yourself looking at your fuel gauge and wondering where it all went? Despite the recent drop in oil prices, petrol and diesel still make up a significant percentage of the costs of running your car. If you want things to change and become more fuel efficient, you need to make some changes. In today’s guide, we’re going to give you some pointers. Let’s get started right away with one of the biggest factors affecting your fuel efficiency - buying the right car.

It all starts with your car

Fuel efficiency is one of the biggest buzzwords in the automobile industry right now. All manufacturers try to compete with economic and environmental concerns and design cars that work on both fronts. Your best bet is to go for an electric car - or, at the very least, a hybrid. These can get you to and from work for the cost of pence, rather than pounds. Over the lifetime of the car, you will get your initial investment back - and, perhaps, even more.

Petrol or diesel?

Of course, not everyone has a hybrid or an electric car, and in some cases, they just aren’t practical. So, think about how you drive. If you travel long distances and use motorways a lot, a diesel engine will be more efficient. It isn’t the best choice for the environment, of course, but it will save you money on fuel. For people that do a lot of city driving, and stop and start at traffic lights all the time, go for unleaded petrol engines.

Change your tyres

It’s not just fuel that has an effect on your car’s efficiency - it’s your tyres, too. Most new cars come equipped with standard tyres, and you should keep them inflated at the optimum pressure. If you want to take things a step further, buy your own tyres. Take these Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres as an example. The treads on these will help your car perform better as well as cutting back your fuel costs.

Drive better

Do you find yourself thrashing your car and putting on the brakes a lot? If so, it’s time to stop and start driving in a more sensible way. Keep your revs down to around 2,500 RPM - anything more than that and you will be wasting fuel. It’s also worth starting to look at the road ahead more frequently. If you are approaching a red light, don’t speed up to it, just ease off the accelerator and slow down before applying the brakes. All that braking just transfers your fuel energy to heat on your brake pads. In effect, you are literally burning money.

Proper maintenance

Finally, make sure you are servicing your vehicle often. Your annual MOT isn’t enough - it will only establish the legality of your car, not its condition. You should also have a service at least once a year to ensure your vehicle is working as it should. If everything is in order, you will save a lot of money at the pumps - far more than the cost of a service.