Simple tips to help cut those fuel costs...

18th October 2017

Simon Henrick, Head of News at Green Flag, commented: "Statistics show that the price of petrol has crept up by over 3p per litre in the past three months. This means owners of cars with 55 litre tanks are spending £1.65 more every time they fill up than they were in July.

"To avoid the extra cost, there are many easy ways to reduce fuel consumption while driving. Drivers should think about driving smarter by taking the time to research the fastest route and sharing journeys with friends and family, as well as shopping around to find the cheaper fuel options.

"Slowing down a little, driving smoothly, and removing any unnecessary weight from the car are just a number of the other easy ways to avoid using extra fuel."

Slow down
Keeping your speed down can reduce the fuel consumption of the engine. It goes without saying that we should all stick to the speed limit, but your car's handbook will tell you what the most fuel-efficient in-town and out-of-town speed is for you.

Lose weight
Avoid carrying any unnecessary weight in the car as heavy loads put more strain on the vehicle, leading to higher fuel consumption.

Find the shortest route
Taking the trouble to find the shortest route to your destination can make the journey more economical. Our online route planner can help you find the shortest route - from your doorstep to any destination in Europe.

Cut the air con
Running the air conditioning increases the car's fuel consumption. So, if you want to save fuel and money, keep it to a minimum.

Close the windows
Open windows and sunroofs create drag, which means that you won't travel as far per litre of fuel.

Share journeys
By sharing journeys with friends and colleagues the overall fuel consumption can be reduced.

Multi-tasking saves money
One long trip is more fuel-efficient than several short ones, as a cold engine uses more fuel than a warmed up one.

Shop around
Check out the difference in prices charged by garages in your local area. Prices can vary, especially if you're a high mileage driver who fills up regularly. Avoid filling up at motorway service stations, as their prices tend to be higher.

Check your pressure
Checking tyre pressure regularly not only improves the safety and performance of the tyres, it also keeps the car running at the optimum fuel efficiency.

Smoothly does it
Try to drive as smoothly as possible and maintain a steady speed. Braking and then accelerating regularly will reduce the number of miles per litre the car can clock up. It's easier to drive smoothly. And also much safer. Aim to keep a gap of at least two seconds from the car in front of you.

Give the car a break
Stuck in heavy traffic or waiting for passengers? Turn off the engine to avoid wasting fuel.

Stay tuned
Have your car's engine tuned at a reputable local garage. This way you can make sure it's always running at the optimum fuel usage level.

Check the oil
As well as maintaining the correct levels of oil, if you want to save money on fuel you should also check the type of oil used. Some energy-efficient types can increase the number of miles per litre.