Ideas for saving money for motorists

While it can feel good to put your foot down, accelerating hard and driving fast burns more fuel. Driving a little slower and more smoothly might be less fund, but you’ll get more miles out of every tank.

Changing gears early and smoothly reduces engine revs, which means improved fuel economy. One handy tip is to think about shifting gears in a block – such as going straight from third to fifth or vice versa – as this can make accelerating or decelerating more efficient.

Underinflated tyres wear out quickly and increase fuel consumption. Checking your tyre pressure regularly (such as once a week) can help ensure it doesn’t drop too low. This may not sound like much, but it could improve fuel efficiency by up to 10%.

It’s nice to stay cool in your car, but fuel consumption takes a hit when the aircon is on. Choosing when to use it can make a real difference. Unless it is a really hot day, we’d suggest having the windows open until you reach 40mph and only turning the aircon on (and closing the windows) above this level. Just remember to use it at least once a week to keep it in good condition.

Roof racks and bars create significant drag at high speeds. It can be tempting to leave them on all the time to make life easier, but taking them off when you don’t need them can reduce fuel costs by up to 30% on motorways.

There’s not much you can do to save fuel in stop-start traffic, but if you’ve been static in a traffic jam for more than three minutes, the AA suggests it’s a good idea to turn the engine off. This ensures you aren’t burning fuel unnecessarily.

Decluttering the boot is unlikely to make a massive difference to fuel economy (unless it’s usually full of bricks), but removing unnecessary weight can still make your motoring a little more efficient.

When you’re at the wheel, try to observe any patterns in traffic and take cues from other drivers. Being aware of what’s ahead of you can help you minimise unnecessary braking or accelerating. This uses your momentum more efficiently, so you improve fuel economy.

Make sure you follow the full maintenance schedule for your vehicle. Well maintained vehicles tend to operate more efficiently, plus you’ll reduce the chances of accidents and breakdowns.

For longer trips, or journeys you do regularly, take a few minutes to explore your route options. You might find a way to reduce your mileage or just cut back on time spent stuck in traffic – particularly if you then use real-time traffic updates while you are on the road.

Find out more about our cost saving ideas on our website in our Cost Saving Hub Fleet Cost Saving Ideas | LeasePlan United Kingdom