How to save fuel 2024

With rising petrol and diesel prices we’ve all got an eye on the fuel gauge at the moment and will be wondering how to save fuel.

Increasing costs mean lower profits and with rising energy prices in our homes as well, everyone is really feeling the pinch right now (Including our customers).

Small changes and small savings can mount up over time so it’s worth taking the time to check if there’s anything you can do to help save yourself some money.

In addition to these general driving tips, it’s worth taking the time to reassess your group walks and double-check your pick up routes are efficient and the shortest distance you can realistically manage.

How to save fuel when driving

• ⦁ Tyre Pressure
• ⦁ Remove weight
• ⦁ Reduce speed
• ⦁ Gentle acceleration
• ⦁ Anticipatory driving style
• ⦁ Turn off the heating
• ⦁ Don’t Idle
• ⦁ Close windows
• ⦁ Turn off cruise control

Tyre Pressure

Keeping your vehicle properly maintained, especially driving with the tyres at the correct pressure for how your vehicle is loaded, will affect your fuel consumption.

In your vehicle manual, or on a sticker on the door frame only visible when you open your driver’s or passenger’s door, you will see your correct tyre pressures.

Most experts agree that increasing the recommended pressure by 0.5 bar will reduce the rolling resistance of the tyres without causing any safety issues and will save you fuel.

Remove weight

It takes less energy and therefore less fuel to get you moving if you weigh less. Don’t panic, we mean the vehicle, not you!

Every 45kg removed from your car in weight saves 1% in fuel consumption. Time to sack the mastiffs and walk more chihuahuas?

Take a look at all the stuff in your boot. Do you really need to carry it all?

If you’re carrying water for the dogs, or for dog wash downs in your muddaddy, take note if you’ve got any left at the end of the day. You may find you can get away with carrying less.

Don’t be tempted to fill up your tank either. 70 litres of diesel weighs around 57kg. As long as no fuel shortages are imminent, keep half a tank topped up.

Reduce speed

Shaving 10% off your speed saves around 10% in fuel consumption.

We’re down to 20 mph in residential areas here in Wales and not only is it good for fuel consumption, it’s great for safety too

Wales 20mph limit FAQ

Gentle acceleration

Gently accelerating to pull away gives the engine just enough fuel to perform without any wasted energy. If you’ve ever driven home with your favourite takeaway on the passenger seat you’ll already know how to do this!

Changing up the gears quickly and at low revs (2000 is ideal) will also save fuel. Lower revs equal lower fuel consumption.

Anticipatory driving style

Drive with the aim of never stopping unnecessarily.

The biggest chunk of fuel used in a car is the one to get you moving again after coming to a stop.

Momentum saves fuel so looking ahead, and anticipating early that slowing down now might mean not having to stop at the red light will save you cash.

See a hill ahead? Gain some momentum now (without breaking the speed limit) and use that momentum to get you up and over without having to accelerate hard up the hill.

Turn off the heating

Anything that uses engine power uses fuel. Better to have 100% of that energy used to turn the wheels.
So no aircon, heating or cooling fans. If you want to be ultra efficient turn the radio off too.

Have you heard of hypermiling? Drivers who take fuel saving to the extreme are called hypermilers.

Don’t Idle

Restarting a warm engine uses around the same amount of petrol/diesel as idling for 30 seconds. So if you find yourself stuck in stationary traffic or at a level crossing that’s likely to be longer than 30 seconds, turn the engine off.

Close the windows

Anything which causes drag and affects your aerodynamic shape will cause you to use more fuel.
Remove roof racks, and roof boxes and keep your windows closed to make yourself as aerodynamic as possible.

Turn off cruise control

Cruise control is only fuel-efficient on flat roads.
It is slow to react to changing inclines meaning that you could be using more fuel than is necessary.

What doesn’t work to save fuel?

While some suggestions for saving fuel when driving are grounded in common sense and scientific knowledge, others can be downright bizarre or even dangerous. Here are a few of the weirdest suggestions for saving fuel while driving that I’ve come across:

1. Remove the passenger side mirror: This suggestion is based on the idea that the drag created by a side mirror can reduce fuel efficiency. While there may be some truth to this, it’s not worth the risk of driving without a mirror, which can make it much harder to see what’s going on around you.
2. Drive with the windows down: Some people suggest that driving with the windows down can reduce the need for air conditioning, which in turn can improve fuel efficiency. While this may be true at low speeds, at higher speeds, the drag created by open windows can actually decrease fuel efficiency.
3. Coast in neutral: Some people believe that putting your car in neutral and coasting down hills or when approaching a red light can save fuel. However, this is not only illegal in many places but can also be dangerous, as you lose some control of your vehicle when you do this.
4. Inflate your tires with helium: This is a bizarre suggestion that has been floating around the internet for some time. The idea is that because helium is lighter than air, inflating your tires with it will reduce the weight of your car and improve fuel efficiency. However, helium is not a practical alternative to air for inflating tires and will not have any significant impact on your fuel economy.
5. Use magnets to “align” the fuel molecules: This is a pseudoscientific suggestion that involves placing magnets on the fuel line to “align” the fuel molecules, supposedly making the fuel burn more efficiently. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and it’s not a practical or safe solution.

Overall, it’s important to be cautious about the suggestions you come across for saving fuel when driving. While some may have a basis in science or common sense, others can be ineffective or even dangerous. Stick to well-established techniques like maintaining proper tire pressure, avoiding rapid acceleration and braking, and keeping your car well-maintained for optimal fuel efficiency.

Trying to decide between a petrol or diesel car or van for your business? Check out our guide here.