10 Ways to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

With petrol and diesel prices still on the rise, we all know how important it is to try and get the most out of every tank of fuel. By simply changing your driving techniques and habits, you can improve your car’s fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of money you spend at the pump.

To make sure you’re getting the most mileage out of every drop of fuel, read our tips on fuel efficient driving below.

Your tyres are one of the biggest factors in terms of fuel economy, and if they’re underinflated, they can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 3%! It’s important to check your tyre pressure regularly and inflate them to the pressure that is recommended in your owner’s manual.

Be sure to accelerate gently when setting off, and avoid any hard braking. Try to accelerate slowly and smoothly, and lift off the accelerator early and brake gently when coming to a stop.

Idling your car for more than 30 seconds wastes fuel! If you're pulled over and you're going to be stopped for more than a minute, make sure to turn your engine off.

The heavier your car is, the more fuel it’s going to use. Before setting off, remove any heavy items from your back seats and boot that you know you don’t need, and also remove your roof bars or roof box when you don’t need to use them.

It’s a great option to use cruise control during motorway driving or on long, flat stretches of road - This improves fuel efficiency, as it means your car maintains a constant steady speed. 

If you plan the route for your journey in advance and use a Satnav, you reduce the chance of heading in the wrong direction and having to drive further than necessary.

The most fuel-efficient speed for most cars is between 55-65mph. Driving faster than this will reduce fuel efficiency.

Shifting up to a higher gear as soon as possible will help your engine run more efficiently. Drive in the highest possible gear for your vehicle while keeping within the speed limit to avoid over-labouring the engine. 

Using your car’s AC increases fuel consumption, as it uses engine power. When driving at low speeds, open the windows instead. When driving at faster speeds on the motorway, it is more efficient to use the air con, as having the window open will decrease the aerodynamics of the car.

A car regularly-serviced car won’t only be more reliable, but will also be more fuel-efficient than a car that hasn’t been well maintained. Having your car serviced regularly and to manufacturer standards, using the correct parts and fluids, will reduce the burden on your car’s engine. You can find out more about having your car serviced with Lloyd Motor Group here.