Anyone heading out on a road trip this summer is urged to be aware of the ways in which they can cut down on their fuel costs.
Despite the price of petrol falling by 24 percent since their peak last July, drivers may still be keen to make their money go further whilst they're out on the roads.
And a simple trick regarding air conditioning could help contribute towards that, as well as several other tips that have been shared by experts from Motorpoint.
Driving in warm weather means you might be tempted to crank up the aircon for the entire journey, but according to Tim Rodie from the used car company, this isn't always entirely fuel-efficient.
He said: “While opening your windows might been like an obvious alternative, it can make your car less aerodynamic at higher speeds, meaning your car needs to work harder and will use more fuel.
“As a rule, opening your windows is best when driving around at lower speeds around town and air conditioning is more efficient if you’re on the motorway. So, keep this in mind and be sure to mix it up on long car rides.”
Here are some of Tim's other tips for saving money on fuel this summer.
Pack light
“It can be really temping to overpack for a trip and leave things lurking in the bottom of your boot, but you won’t be doing yourself any favours. The lighter your car is, the less fuel you’ll need to drive it.
“The same goes for bike racks and roof boxes. Unless you need the extra storage space, it’s worth travelling without them. They might be a pain to remove but the increased drag and extra weight means your car needs to work harder to get you where you need to go.”
Plan your routes
“It seems obvious, but you can burn through a lot of fuel when stuck in traffic so it’s worth mapping your route before setting off. Apps like Waze are useful for spotting unexpected delays that could impact your journey.
“If you do get stuck in standstill traffic and it’s safe to do so, consider switching your engine off or using your car’s stop-start function so you don’t waste fuel while idling.”
Know where to fill up
“One of the easiest ways to avoid spending more than you need to on fuel is to only pull up at stations that offer competitive pricing. You’ll always pay a premium to fill up on the motorway, so it’s worth planning your route in advance so you have a rough idea of where you might need to fill up.
A quick Google search will always tell you what the average price of fuel is and sites like PetrolPrices can show you were to get the cheapest fuel near you."
Stick to the speed limit
“Speeding won’t just leave you at risk of a fine and points on your licence, but it’s terrible for fuel economy. This is because speed directly impacts fuel consumption so, the faster you drive, the fewer miles you’ll get between fill ups.
“Research has shown that sticking to the speed limit on the motorway can increase fuel efficiency by up to 25% compared with driving at 80mph. So, to save fuel, it’s a good idea to stick within the speed limit and try to drive at a consistent speed as much as possible.”
Keep a close eye on your tyres
If you are going to be travelling hundreds of miles this summer, it’s important to make sure you are paying special attention to your tyres.
“Checking your tyres isn’t just important for your safety but also helps make sure that your vehicle is as efficient as possible. Underinflated tyres increase friction meaning it will require more fuel to drive smoothly.
“At a minimum, you should be looking to check your tyre pressure at least once a month. The easiest way to do this is by using a pressure gauge to check that your tyre pressure within the range outlined in your owner's manual.”
Avoid flooring it
“No matter how desperate you are to get to your destination, accelerating like you’re at a drag strip isn’t going to do anything but waste fuel.
“Accelerating too quickly uses much more fuel that regular driving. The most efficient way to drive is to try and anticipate changes in traffic and direction to give you as much time as possible to adjust your speed.
“The most frugal way to drive is to smoothly accelerate to your chosen cruising speed and read the road ahead so you can maintain that speed for as long as possible.”
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