Tips for Improving your Fuel Efficiency

What is fuel consumption? 

Fuel consumption measures the amount of fuel your vehicle consumes over a specific distance. It largely depends on the type of car and journeys that you drive, but there are some things that you do that can help to improve your fuel efficiency and save money over time.  

Vehicle Maintenance 

Looking after your vehicle and ensuring that all parts are working smoothly can help to improve your fuel economy. This includes: 

• Getting a regular service -  will ensure that your engine is working as effectively as possible. You should aim to have your car serviced every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, to keep everything working efficiently. If you use your vehicle more frequently, you should also book a service every 6 months or 6,000 miles to ensure that it remains in good condition. 
• Check your tyre pressure – we recommend checking your tyre pressure every month and before long journeys, adjusting them according to your load to avoid excess fuel consumption. This is because under-inflated tyres require more momentum, which requires more fuel to make them move. 
• Lighten the load - it is also a good idea to remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle where you can. Only use bike racks and luggage boxes when necessary and remove any heavy items from your car if you do not require them. 

Whilst Driving

As well as preparing your vehicle before you hit the road, there are a few changes you can make whilst driving to help reduce fuel consumption. This includes: 

• Closing your windows and sunroof when driving at high speeds - When your vehicle is travelling at fast speeds, open windows and sunroofs cause drag on the vehicle and reduce its aerodynamic properties. For this reason, you should use the air conditioning system fitted in your vehicle when driving at higher speeds.  
• Avoid using air conditioning at lower speeds - or when stuck in traffic, if you get too hot, you should open your car windows. This is because the air conditioning system has a large impact on your fuel consumption, so only use it when necessary. 

Driving Style 

The way that you drive can also have an impact on your fuel economy. There are a few adjustments you can make to help reduce your fuel consumption, these include: 

• Avoiding aggressive braking and accelerating – driving more smoothly not only uses less fuel, but also provides a more comfortable drive. It can also prevent premature wear on your tyres and brake components.  
• Driving in higher gears when possible – as well as  allows your engine to run more efficiently , and in turn,  requires less fuel. 
• Trying to slow down when driving -, driving at faster speeds uses a significantly larger amount of fuel.  If you want to see a difference in your fuel consumption, driving slower can help. This is also recommended when driving in winter.  
• Take a different route - driving in traffic requires a large amount of fuel as your vehicle uses more fuel to keep stopping and starting. Consider taking a different route or travelling at different times if you frequently find yourself stuck in stop-start traffic. 

How Merityre can help 

Have you noticed an unexpected rise in fuel consumption? There may be an underlying problem with your vehicle. Book in for a car service at  your local Merityre Specialists for a comprehensive check.