Fuel is one of the biggest ongoing costs of
owning a car. And with prices staying high,
even small improvements in fuel efficiency
add up to real money saved over a year.
The good news? You don't need a new car.
Most drivers can improve their fuel economy
significantly with simple habits and basic
maintenance — starting today.
Here are 10 proven ways to get more miles
from every tank.
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## 1. Check Your Tyre Pressure Monthly
Under-inflated tyres are one of the most
common causes of poor fuel economy — and
one of the easiest to fix.
When tyres are low on pressure, there is
more rolling resistance against the road.
Your engine works harder and burns more
fuel to maintain the same speed.
Studies show that tyres inflated to the
correct pressure can improve fuel economy
by up to 3%. Check monthly and always
before long journeys.
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## 2. Remove Unnecessary Weight
Every extra kilogram your car carries
requires more fuel to move. Roof racks,
heavy items in the boot, and equipment
you never use all add to your fuel bill.
Clear out your boot. Remove roof racks
when not in use. It sounds small — but
over thousands of miles it makes a
measurable difference.
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## 3. Drive at a Steady Speed
Constant acceleration and braking burns
significantly more fuel than maintaining
a steady speed. Motorway driving at a
consistent 60-70mph is far more efficient
than stop-start city driving.
Use cruise control on motorways where
possible. Anticipate traffic ahead and
decelerate gradually rather than braking
sharply.
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## 4. Accelerate Smoothly
Aggressive acceleration from a standstill
is one of the biggest fuel wasters.
Building speed gradually and smoothly
uses significantly less fuel than flooring
the accelerator.
Drive like there's an egg under the pedal.
Your fuel gauge will thank you.
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## 5. Switch Off the Engine When Stationary
Modern fuel-injected engines use almost
no fuel when idling — but over time,
idling adds up. If you're stationary for
more than 60 seconds — at a level crossing,
waiting to pick someone up — switch off
the engine.
Many modern cars do this automatically
with stop-start technology.
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## 6. Service Your Car Regularly
A well-maintained engine runs more
efficiently. Fresh oil, a clean air filter,
new spark plugs, and clean fuel injectors
all contribute to better fuel economy.
Don't skip services to save money —
the fuel savings from a well-tuned engine
more than pay for the service cost over time.
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## 7. Use the Right Gear
Driving in too low a gear at speed makes
your engine rev higher and burn more fuel.
Change up early and keep revs below
2,500 RPM for petrol and 2,000 for diesel
under normal driving conditions.
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## 8. Plan Your Journeys
Cold engines use more fuel — significantly
more in the first few miles. Combining
short trips into one journey means your
engine spends more time at efficient
operating temperature.
Use navigation to avoid traffic where
possible. Sitting in queues burns fuel
for zero progress.
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## 9. Reduce Air Conditioning Use
Air conditioning can increase fuel
consumption by 5-25% depending on
conditions. At lower speeds and in
the city, opening windows is more
efficient. At motorway speeds,
windows create drag — so air con
becomes the better option above
roughly 60mph.
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## 10. Keep Your Car Aerodynamic
Open windows, roof boxes, and bike racks
all create aerodynamic drag that increases
fuel consumption at speed. Remove
accessories when not in use and keep
your car as aerodynamically clean
as possible for motorway driving.
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## How Much Can You Actually Save?
A driver covering 15,000 miles per year
in an average car could save £200-£400
annually just by combining these habits —
without changing their car or their routes.
Small changes. Real money. Every year.
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*Keep your tyres at the right pressure
with VELOX's portable tyre inflators —
one of the easiest fuel-saving upgrades
you can make today.*
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