The rising price of petrol on the forecourts may be driving car owners to distraction, but UK drivers could fight back by making some tweaks to their driving which could help them save hundreds of pounds.
This Is Money has published a range of money saving tips which could effectively save drivers up to £231 a year. By driving more economically drivers are encouraged to save pounds in their pocket, but are also saving the environment by reducing pollution in the process.
Remove Dead Weight - Saving £8 a year
Do you carry around a set of golf clubs in your car all week, in the knowledge that you will only be using them at the weekend? Perhaps there are hefty items on your back seat which are adding to the overall weight of your car, or even a roof-rack or bike carrier which hasn’t been used in a while. By reducing the weight of our cars we can save cash, and removing things which make our car less aerodynamic can reduce air resistance and help lower fuel consumption.
Inflating Tyres - Saving £22 a year
While pumping your tyres up at a service station can often cost you money, which in the long term is counterproductive, there are still some larger supermarket chains which allow you to inflate your tyres for free. Under-inflated tyres can prove to be extremely costly, but despite this two fifths of cars in the UK are driven with at least one tyre dangerously under-inflated according to Michelin.
Driving Smoothly - Saving £165 a year
By hitting the high revs, your engine may make a satisfying roar, but you are also burning your fuel quicker and also a large hole in your fuel budget. Smoother driving styles are more likely to save money, so heavy acceleration and braking should be avoided.
Changing Route - Saving £36 a year
If you are constantly stopping and starting on your daily commute it might be more economical to consider a different route. The RAC has a route planner and mileage calculator which will tell you the most economical driving trips to your destination. The motoring organisation also suggests making one long journey rather than lots of shorter ones, purely because our engines perform better when warm.