Some fuel efficiency tips (most of these are common sense but I didn't know all of them)
1. Remove unnecessary items
Avoid carrying objects in your boot, glove box or elsewhere as these will add extra weight to the car, making your engine work harder to put things in motion. If your roof rack is empty, remove it ? it increases drag and consumes more fuel.
? A loaded roof rack will decrease your fuel economy by five per cent.
? A 100kg load can increase fuel consumption by up to five miles per gallon.
2. Drive when the road is empty
It's easier said than done, but try to avoid congestion. Driving through stop-start traffic is one of the thirstiest times for your car.
3. Warm the car up on the move
Despite engines needing more fuel when they?re cold, this doesn?t mean you should let the engine warm up for five minutes before driving. It?s a big waste of fuel.
4. Limit heavy braking
Take your foot off the accelerator early and slow to a stop or brake early in a smooth, light fashion. Anticipate stops and avoid abrupt braking to decrease fuel consumption and increase the life of your brakes and tyres.
5. Limit heavy acceleration
Don?t accelerate harshly, as this uses a lot of fuel at once. Instead, move off gently and smoothly to your target speed and maintain it for maximum miles per gallon.
6. Step off the accelerator going down hill
When slowing down or driving downhill, remain in gear but take your foot off the accelerator as early as possible. This reduces fuel flow to the engine to virtually zero.
7. Use cruise control if you have it
Cruise control maintains a constant speed, reducing the gradual speeding up and slowing down effect caused by driving normally.
8. Slow down
Avoid excessive speeds when possible. Driving at 85mph is against the law and uses approximately 25% more fuel than 70mph.
9. Close the windows
By driving with the windows or sunroof open, you're ruining the vehicle?s aerodynamics, meaning the engine has to work harder to push the car through the air.
10. Switch off the air con
Switching it off or using climate control on the ?eco? setting reduces fuel consumption.
11. Switch the engine off
Cars use virtually no extra fuel when they?re re-started without pressing the accelerator. Turn off if you?re going to be stationary for more than a minute or two.
12. Change gear early
Changing gear between 2,000 and 3,000rpm burns less fuel. Keep between these rev levels for best performance ? go higher and the engine will work harder ? lower and it will struggle. Both use more fuel than necessary.
13. Avoid built up areas with junctions and speed bumps
It takes more power and more fuel to get a car moving than it does to maintain a speed, so regular slowing down and speeding up isn?t an efficient way of driving.
14. Pump your tyres
Driving on under-inflated tyres requires more engine power. Keep them pumped up in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations for the maximum miles per gallon. But don?t over-inflate them, as this reduces road grip.
? Under inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by five per cent.
15. Keep the car serviced
Dirty oil, clogged sparkplugs and faulty thermostats can increase fuel consumption, so ensure your car is serviced regularly.
? A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by up to 50 per cent.