Drivers can save by up to 40% on fuel costs

A local vehicle leasing company has claimed that drivers could be cutting back on their fuel consumption by up to 40%.

BestCarFinder have issued a list of small changes that can have a big impact for people looking to combat rising fuel costs and the credit crunch. The tips are all simple measures that drivers can implement to reap the benefits in the long term and include:

• Aggressive braking increases toxic emissions by more than five times and fuel consumption by as much as 40%. The best way to drive is to accelerate slowly and smoothly, then get into a high gear as quickly as possible. In city driving, nearly 50% of the energy needed to power your car goes to acceleration.
• Increasing your motorway cruising speed from 55mph to 75mph can raise fuel consumption as much as 20%. You can improve your gas mileage 10 - 15% by driving at 55mph rather than 65mph.

• Choose the right gear. Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel; so does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners.
• Under-inflated tyres can cause fuel consumption to increase by as much as 6%. Check tyre pressure at least once a month, when the tyres are 'cold' (i.e. when the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours or for more than 2 miles)
• Using a vehicle’s air conditioner on a hot summer day can increase fuel consumption as much as 10% in city driving – so use it sparingly. If it’s cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation on your car instead of the air conditioner. At low speeds, opening the window will also save reduce fuel consumption by reducing A/C use. At higher speeds however, using the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.
• Choose the octane fuel which best suits your car. Premium, high-octane fuels aren't necessarily the best choice for your car; higher price doesn't guarantee better performance. In fact, such fuels don't provide any greater fuel efficiency. Many cars are designed to use regular low-octane fuel. Check your owner's manual to see what your car requires.
• Remove bicycle and ski racks when not in use. Excess weight also uses more fuel. Remove unnecessary items from inside the vehicle, trunk or truck bed. An extra 100lbs (48 kg) of weight can increase your fuel bill by 2%.
• Dirty air filters can also cause your engine to run at less than peak efficiency. Regular visual checks of the air filter will tell you if it needs replacing and your owner's manual will also recommend appropriate replacement intervals. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10% increase in fuel consumption.

A Spokesperson said:

“The news at the moment is full of the rising fuel costs. Several supermarkets have recently dropped their prices– costs are still at their highest for some time.

“However, people still need to use their cars and fortunately, there are lots that can be done to help people cut back on fuel consumption.

“By following our tips, people will be able to make a real difference to their weekly petrol bill.”