Drivers told how to save fuel

dailyrecord.co.uk:

DRIVERS faced with rocketing petrol and diesel prices on garage forecourts are being offered expert advice on how to make their fuel take them farther.First up, the team at vehicle leasing firm Vanarama recommend driving smoothly as if you have a bowl of water on the passenger seat.

That means gently accelerating and decelerating while moving softly through the gears.Make sure your car is clutter-free, as you’ll use more fuel if you’re carrying a heavier load – particularly wasteful if you have something heavy in your boot that you don’t need.You should also remove roof and bike racks that aren’t being used regularly as they create aerodynamic and fuel inefficiency.

The same goes for driving with the windows open, so keep them shut.Air conditioning can also be quite a drain on fuel, so get into the habit of turning it off when you don’t need it.It’s also important to ensure your tyres are kept at the correct pressure as underinflated tyres can result in the vehicle using significantly more fuel.Regular servicing and maintenance is also key – something as simple as a blocked air filter or a brake that is binding slightly can have a dramatic effect on your miles-per-gallon rating.Vanarama reckons probably the single, most effective way of lowering your fuel bill is to plan your routes carefully, using real-time data such as that offered by Google Maps, so that you reduce your mileage and avoid costly congestion.Online outfit CarFinance 247 added that only topping up the tank with the fuel you need can help you save petrol and money as you won’t be adding any unnecessary weight.It also advised investing in premium fuel from time to time – it will cost more to fill up but could be more efficient on long journeys.Using cruise