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How to Save Fuel

The cost of motoring is rising every month. And quite apart from the rising costs, every gallon of petrol you burn puts more CO2 into the atmosphere, increasing global warming. Not many of us can manage without our cars, but there are ways to cut down on our fuel consumption.

1. Get to know your car, its foibles, excesses and moods. If you have time, join a car maintenance class and learn what makes it tick (or why it's not ticking over). Keeping your car in tip top condition will make sure that fuel isn't wasted.
2. Take your car into your local garage for a tune up. They use electronic equipment to get the calibration exactly right, so your fuel is used in the most efficient and economical way.
3. Wear softer soled shoes! This will help you to be more sensitive in your use of the accelerator and brake pedals. It's how carefully you use the throttle and brake that mainly determines how long your fuel lasts. Doing a standing 0-60 in 5 seconds may be impressive, but you end up paying for it through your local service station. Stroke the pedal gently and let the engine build up more slowly to keep your fuel costs down.
4. Keep your speed to a maximum of 55 mph, even where the speed limit is higher. Quoted figures for miles per gallon are always tested at a steady speed, well below the national speed limit.
5. Try to avoid routes with lots of traffic lights and lots of stop-start. Averaging ten miles per hour in these conditions will double the petrol consumption you could have achieved at a steady 35 mph. The smoother the traffic flow, the better your fuel economy. So pick motorways over smaller roads, assuming the motorway isn't congested.
6. Check your tyre pressures once a week and make sure they are correct. Soft tyres cause friction, which increases the fuel needed to propel you forward. They also wear out quicker. On the other hand, if your tyres are over-inflated, your road handling and braking could be affected, which is not only dangerous but may cost you extra fuel if you need to take corrective measures.
7. If you're thinking of buying a new car, consider a hybrid, which can save a good percentage of your fuel. There are several of these on the market right now, but the one I personally favour is the Toyota Prius.
8. Finally - whenever you get into the driving seat, consider your health. Is this a journey you could carry out on foot or by bicycle? If you can, you will save fuel, of course, and you will also be contributing to your overall level of fitness — and if that's a dirty word for you, I apologise :).

There it is, then. 8 tips to save fuel. I hope you find them useful.