Mandy Collins
With money too tight to mention, it seems a shame to be burning it in unnecessary fuel costs. But there is plenty you can do to lessen the financial burden of fuel, says the Automobile Association (AA).
Start by recording your fuel consumption – you won’t notice an improvement if you don’t know how much you’re using.
The AA says the first mistake people make is to overfill their tanks, wasting precious fuel in the overspill. If you do overfill your car, don’t park in the sun or on a gradient with the fuel filter facing downhill. Ensure you’re using the correct octane, and don’t switch to a higher octane to improve the performance – it won’t. You’re just burning money.
Your tyres can also affect your fuel consumption. If the tyre pressure is too low, consumption increases. Buy radial-ply rather than cross-ply tyres, as they offer less resistance and last longer. Also use multigrade oil, as it reduces drag.
Avoid stop-start driving as far as possible. The key to economical driving is keeping the car going smoothly. Keep your windows closed to reduce drag and change to higher gears whenever possible – lower gears use more fuel. Drive at the speed limit – the faster you go, the more fuel you use. When pulling off on a hill, use your handbrake. This reduces the amount of fuel you use.
Form a lift club – it can cut your fuel bills in half. And stop driving to the corner caf – it will do you and your car far more good if you put on your takkies and take a stroll.