Changing driving habits can reduce fuel bills

March 23, 2011 - PRLog -- With the price of fuel continuing rise, driving a car is becoming ever more expensive. The AA recently announced that the average cost of petrol in the UK was now 133.46p a litre, with diesel at 140.1p a litre (breaching the 140p barrier for the first time).  With drivers paying 116.71p a litre for petrol and 117.42p for diesel just a year ago, the increase in prices has been rapid.

A few years ago, paying over 130p a litre seemed unthinkable. Now many drivers are left wondering when prices will stabilise and just how much they’ll be paying. For motorists already feeling the pinch through higher inflation, the impact on their wallet every time they fill up is becoming greater all the time.

However, according to experts at ebeepbeep.com (a new website which offers drivers cheaper, trustworthy car servicing and MOTs from a choice of approved garages local to them), it’s possible for motorists to reduce their annual fuel bills by making a few small changes to their driving habits. They offer ten tips for money saving driving.

Lighten The Load
Remove all unnecessary clutter from the car. For a variety of reasons, childrens toys, music, clothes and magazines can often find their way into vehicles. By being ruthless and only carrying what’s only what’s essential, weight is reduced which will improve fuel consumption.

Keep Tyres Pumped Up
Under inflated tyres can have a serious impact on fuel efficiency. Over time, tyres naturally leak a bit of air. The RAC believes that fuel consumption can improve by 2% if regularly checked and maintained. For safety, it’s also good practice to check tyre pressures once a week.

Think Aerodynamics
Why are formula one cars so fast? What makes aeroplanes speed through the air? Powerful engines help, but aerodynamics is also crucial. Think about the cars aerodynamics. Roof racks, roof boxes and cycle carriers create drag, which doesn’t aid fuel economy at all. Unless they’re needed, remove them.

Plan Journeys
Getting lost can add unnecessary miles to your journey. By taking a few minutes to plan your journey beforehand, you’re less likely to deviate from the correct route. Making sure that directions are accessible and close to hand will help keep you on track.

High Is Good
The general rule of thumb, is that where conditions allow, use the highest gear possible. Changing gear early and keeping revs to down helps minimise fuel use. Typically the most economical point to change gear in petrol engines is between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, whilst for diesels it’s between 1,300 and 2,000 rpm.

Become A Chauffeur
It’s all about driving smoothly and calmly. Avoid unnecessary stopping and starting, which uses more fuel, by leaving a large gap with the car ahead. Gradually slowing down and speeding up is far more fuel efficient, as keeping the car moving uses for less fuel than stopping and starting. In fact it’s possible to cut fuel usage to zero by lifting off the throttle and cruising to a junction in gear.

Don’t Slam The Brakes On
Slamming brakes on at the last moment is terrible for fuel consumption. Anticipate the traffic conditions ahead and planning in advance will help reduce heavy braking. Rolling up to junctions and traffic lights, by simply lifting off the accelerator and anticipating the car will stop is far better.

When Not Moving - Switch Off
When stuck in a long queue which isn’t moving, switch off the engine. Leaving cars running on the driveway is another example of when fuel is being used to go nowhere at all.

Don’t Always Buy The Cheapest Fuel
Taking time to research fuel prices is a great way to save money. However, if the cheapest petrol station is miles away, think twice before setting off. If it costs more in fuel to travel there, than will be saved at the pumps, the economics don’t add up.

Equally, it’s very tempting to fill the tank up. However a full tank will add more weight, which in turn uses much more fuel. It’s best to only buy what’s needed.

Switch Off The Air-Con
At low speeds, using air conditioning can add up to 7% to fuel costs. So when driving around town, it’s more economical to simply wind the window down.

For more information about ebeepbeep, visit their website http://www.ebeepbeep.com or call them on 0844 736 0055.

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ebeepbeep offers cheaper car servicing and MOTs through a network of approvded nationwide garages. Through the website consumers can find local independent garages that provide quality vehicle servicing at prices much lower than Main Dealerships.