Nobody likes paying more for petrol than absolutely necessary. With prices already higher than in the UK, and every twitch of the oil price or other available excuse causing further rises, it’s time to try and improve the fuel efficiency when driving:

Regular Maintenance saves money!

If your vehicle is well looked after, then it will operate with greater efficiency. Not only does it mean that you really get the engines’ full performance, but it also improves your fuel economy. A dirty air filter, fouled spark plugs, or clogged fuel filter will all affect your fuel economy, and that quite a lot, actually - A clogged air filter alone can lower your mpg value by up to 10%. Add all the other bits to it, and you’re giving the oil companies way more than they deserve. Also ensure you use the right octane petrol and engine oil, details to which you can find in the owners manual of your vehicle.

Check your tyre pressure.

When was the last time you checked the pressure on your vehicles’ tyres? Under inflated tyres require more energy to roll, which simply means more stops at the petrol station. Fuel economy can be improved by over 3% if you keep them properly inflated - refer to the owners manual for the recommended tyre pressure and check it on a regular basis. Not only does it save you money through fuel, but it also reduces wear and gives your rubbers a longer life.

Take some weight off

The heavier your vehicle, the more energy it needs to move - so if you carry half your household in the car, then you’ll be using a lot more liquid gold than necessary. Remove any unnecessary items from your vehicle to keep your fuel bill low.

Keep it streamlined.

If you have a roof rack or roof carrier for your vehicle, only install it when you actually need it - Driving around with an empty roof rack adds a hefty 10% to your fuel bill. An open window also affects fuel economy by around 3 to 6%, simply because it disrupts the airflow around your car. And don’t forget to keep your vehicle washed and waxed properly - still having half the countryside attached to your car weeks after your off-road trip only means higher fuel consumption, nothing else.

AirCon, the oil company’s friend

Before firing up the air conditioning, think if you really need it - switching on the freezer means up to 11% higher fuel consumption during slow driving, and only a little less when you’re getting around quicker. Consider using the normal air vents to keep you cool, particularly in the morning and evening. I know we just told you that opening a window also adds to the fuel bill, but if it’s really hot outside, we recommend you open a window when driving around town, and switch on the air conditioning for your trip over the mountain.

Smooth Operator

Driving smoothly without hard breaking and accelerating will save you money - think and look ahead - try to predict traffic at junctions and when in queuing to avoid accelerating and then braking. Give yourself some extra time to get to your destination and think "steady and smooth" as you drive. Getting your driving style right can have a huge impact on your fuel bill - Research suggests driving techniques can influence car fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent!

Get the gears right

Driving at the lowest comfortable engine revs using the highest possible gear not only increases fuel economy, but it also reduces emissions and noise.

Avoid unnecessary Idling

When your car is idling, it is using up fuel but not going anywhere - this means it’s doing 0 mpg. Therefore, switch off the engine whenever it is safe to do so (i.e. longer stops in stationary traffic, loading & unloading, etc). Don't leave your engine running when you first start up - drive off straight away if you can.

Plan your trip.

A little planning goes a long way in terms of fuel economy. When your engine is cold, it uses more fuel than when it’s warm. Try to combine tasks and avoid loads of short journeys - research suggests that several short trips all begun with a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a single, longer trip that covers the same distance.