The Best Money-Saving Driving Tips, From Insurance To Saving On Fuel

Running a car can be expensive; there’s no getting around it. But for many, having a car is a necessity. Whether you need a car for commuting to work or for taking the kids to school and sports clubs, many of us can’t do without.

This article will look at the best ways to save money with excellent car fuel-saving tips and other ways to reduce your costs.

Why Is It Important To Avoid Wasting Fuel?

One of the best ways to reduce the running costs of your car is by maximising fuel efficiency. It feels like fuel costs are continually rising, so finding the best ways to improve your fuel economy will always make a difference.

Fuel costs

Reducing fuel consumption is a great money-saving tip for running a car. The majority of car costs are infrequent, and though insurance, MOTs, and taxing a car can be expensive, they are typically only needed once a year.

Whether you have a petrol car or a diesel car, saving fuel will be the best way to reduce costs. Keep reading for some of the best tips to reduce fuel consumption.

Help the environment

While this won’t immediately see you saving money, many of us are trying to lead greener lives. Using less fuel will help to do this and reduce your overall car running costs.

Top Tips To Save Fuel

Some tips to help you save fuel might seem obvious, but there might be some you hadn’t considered. We have included them all to ensure you have the best opportunity to reduce your fuel consumption.

Vehicle maintenance – tyres

Ensuring your car tyres are inflated to the correct pressure will help to reduce drag and make the vehicle more fuel-efficient.

Regularly checking your tyre pressure and keeping a car tyre inflator that can be plugged into the lighter adaptor in your car means you can do this at home.

Lighten your load

The heavier the car, the more fuel it will need. Reducing the vehicle’s weight will make a big difference in how much fuel you will need. We aren’t talking about removing seats and interiors or anything that drastic.

Simple things like ensuring the car and boot aren’t filled with things when they don’t need to be, removing children’s car seats when not in use, and removing roof racks can all make a difference.

Another way to reduce your car’s weight is by not filling it up completely every time you visit the petrol station. Only putting in a little can help to reduce the weight of the car considerably over the course of a year.

Change your driving style

Another important way to save fuel is by employing fuel-efficient driving techniques. A heavy foot when driving not only means you will be moving more quickly and possibly dangerously, but heavy acceleration can also burn fuel quickly.

Using cruise control on long journeys can also help with fuel efficiency. Many modern cars are equipped with cruise control, making it easy to regulate your speed and stay below the speed limit.

Avoid air con when possible and keep windows closed

These two tips might sound counterintuitive, but learning which is the more fuel-efficient technique to use can help to save fuel.

Using your air conditioning and heating will both use fuel. Trying to manage without is advisable whenever possible.

Opening your windows might sound like the sensible alternative to using your air conditioning on hot days, but it depends on what speed you are going.

Up to 30 miles per hour, the drag caused by open windows has less of an impact than using your air conditioning. At higher speeds, it is more fuel-efficient to use your air conditioning.

Plan trips efficiently

Planning trips efficiently can make a big difference in fuel consumption. The earlier advice about not completely filling your tank will work when you plan fuel stops on your journeys without going out of your way.

Shopping trips on the way back from work or picking kids up will mean you don’t have to take two trips, and the weight of the shopping will be in your car for less of the journey.

Shop for the best petrol prices

Finding the best petrol prices is another great way to save on fuel costs. This only makes sense if the petrol station is on your way and you aren’t driving about looking for a deal.

Check online for local petrol prices and check to see which are convenient to stop at on your journey.

Stop idling

When you stop at traffic lights, are waiting in a traffic jam, or are waiting for someone, switching the car off rather than idling can be a fuel-efficient driving technique that helps to save money.

Older vehicles might waste more fuel from having to restart the engine, but new models are much more efficient. As well as saving between one and two ounces of fuel a minute, idling is also illegal, so you might even save yourself getting a ticket.

Other Ways To Save Money When Driving

Enjoying better fuel economy by removing excess weight, checking tyre pressures, minimising wind resistance, and maintaining a constant speed will stop you from burning as much fuel. Combining these techniques with other money-saving tips will significantly reduce the cost of running a car.

Insurance costs

Saving money on your insurance by shopping around for the best deals to suit you is often helpful. Another great way to save money, especially if you don’t use your car often, is by looking for temporary car insurance.

This option allows you to save money by not paying for an entire year’s policy when you often don’t use your car. This is also an excellent option for renting and loaning cars.

Suppose you are learning or teaching someone how to drive. In that case, temporary learner driver insurance is a great way to ensure the car is covered, get the practice needed to pass a test, and avoid wasting money on an expensive, long-term policy.

Find efficient cars

Many modern cars offer greater fuel efficiency. Not only will this help you save money on fuel costs, but cars with low emissions will find themselves in a lower tax band. This will help you save money on road tax.

Go electric

The final option might be expensive in terms of initial costs, but the money you will be able to save on fuel makes electric and hybrid vehicles viable options for many people looking for a new car.

As more and more places are starting to install charging ports and the government introduces legislation ensuring new build properties will have charging facilities, it will be easier than ever to find somewhere to charge your vehicle.

Government plans to stop the sale of petrol vehicles by 2030 won’t mean petrol or diesel vehicles completely disappear from the roads, but it will be the start of them being gradually phased out.

Getting a head start on this could be a good option for many drivers looking for cost-efficient travel.