Fuel is one of the biggest running costs of a car, and a lot of it is wasted without you noticing. The good news is that most of the savings are free, they come from how you drive and how you look after the car. Here is what actually works.
Drive more smoothly
Hard acceleration and heavy braking burn fuel. Accelerate gently, look ahead and ease off early, and keep to steady speeds. Driving at high motorway speeds uses far more fuel than a slightly slower cruise, and using cruise control on the open road helps keep things efficient.
Keep the car in good shape
Under inflated tyres, a car full of clutter, and a roof rack you are not using all cost you fuel. Keep your tyres at the right pressure, drop unnecessary weight, and remove roof boxes and racks when they are not needed. Regular servicing keeps the engine running efficiently too.
Shop around for the best price
Fuel prices vary a surprising amount between stations, and the ones on motorways and major routes are usually the most expensive. Use a fuel price app to find cheaper stations near you, and fill up before long trips rather than at the first expensive stop on the way.
The biggest lever is the car itself
No amount of careful driving beats choosing an efficient car in the first place. A thirsty engine costs far more over a year than an economical one, and an electric car charged at home can be dramatically cheaper to run. Compare the real numbers with the EV vs petrol calculator and the fuel economy converter.
See it in your total cost
Fuel is only one part of the picture. Put it alongside depreciation, insurance and servicing with the 5 year cost of ownership calculator, and read the hidden costs guide to make sure nothing catches you out.
