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Fuel prices are rising, and motorists are feeling the pinch when they fill up the tank. Whilst you can car share, use public transport or walk/cycle to reduce your vehicle’s fuel usage this isn’t always possible or practical. However, there are some simple things you can do to make your fuel go further. Here are Aston Lark's motor team’s top tips:

 

Plan journeys: Make one round trip rather than several short ones to avoid starting the engine from cold. According to fuel-economy.co.uk, a cold engine will generally use twice as much fuel as a warm engine.

 

Maintain your vehicle: A well-maintained vehicle will run more efficiently and save you fuel, so stick to the service schedule. Check your tyre pressure regularly as fuel consumption increases when tyres are underinflated. You could also consider buying tyres with a lower rolling resistance.

 

Reduce your vehicle’s weight: Vehicles with extra weight burn fuel faster, so keep the boot empty and, where possible, remove clutter. Also, remove bike racks and roof boxes when you’re not using them. They will reduce the aerodynamics of the vehicle, in turn reducing its fuel efficiency.

 

Use air conditioning and heating carefully: Whilst it’s tempting to have your air conditioning on during the summer months, it can reduce your fuel economy, so avoid overuse. During the winter months, the same principle applies to a vehicle’s heating system.

 

Consider your driving style: Simply put, the faster you drive the more fuel you will use. The Department of Transport claims that driving at 70 mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60 mph and up to 15% more than at 50 mph.

 

You should also avoid excessive acceleration and braking. According to fuel-economy.co.uk, this can use up to 60% more fuel. Car maker Toyota suggests a good rule of thumb is to take about five seconds to accelerate up to 15mph from a stop. If you have cruise control, then use it whilst on the motorway as this will help you maintain a steady speed.

 

You should also avoid excessive acceleration and braking. According to fuel-economy.co.uk, this can use up to 60% more fuel. Car maker Toyota suggests a good rule of thumb is to take about five seconds to accelerate up to 15mph from a stop. If you have cruise control, then use it whilst on the motorway as this will help you maintain a steady speed.

 

Consider switching to electric

 

Of course, one way to avoid the rise in petrol and diesel costs altogether is to switch to an electric car. One of the benefits of an electric car is that charging works out cheaper than buying diesel or petrol, even when taking into account the recent rise in energy costs. Whilst they are still more expensive than their petrol counterparts, there is a widening selection of electric cars at a cheaper price point.

 

Saving money on your car insurance

 

Now, more than ever, people will be tempted to save money on their car insurance – but remember, cheapest is rarely best!  Their recommendation is that you shouldn’t be tempted to skip on cover as you may come to regret it if the worst happens. There are a range of factors that can influence the cost of insuring a car and some policies can provide great value for money whilst providing excellent cover. 

 

Of course, you can always ask a specialist broker like Aston Lark to help you. They make the process simple, so you don’t need to trawl through comparison sites. Plus, you get to speak to a human being, who will speak to you clearly without using industry jargon. 

 

To speak to them about your car insurance, call 0330 008 3478 or email [email protected] or find out more about car insurance.