Fuel Saving & Economy Reduce Consumption

What will reduce fuel consumption?

Q: What will reduce fuel consumption?

Smoother acceleration, maintaining correct tyre pressure, removing unnecessary weight, and avoiding high speeds are the most effective ways to reduce fuel consumption. Keeping to 60mph instead of 70mph alone can cut fuel use by up to 9%, and correct tyre pressure improves economy by up to 2%.

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Smoother driving, correct tyre pressure, and cutting unnecessary weight are the most effective ways to reduce fuel consumption. Small changes to how you drive and maintain your car can cut fuel use by 10–25%, saving a meaningful amount on every tank.

Drive More Smoothly

Accelerate gently: Harsh acceleration is one of the biggest fuel wasters. Pulling away smoothly and building speed gradually uses significantly less fuel than putting your foot down. 2

Anticipate the road ahead: Looking further ahead and easing off the accelerator early — rather than braking hard — keeps momentum and avoids burning fuel you then immediately waste as heat. 3

Keep to a steady speed: Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph, and up to 15% more than at 50mph. Using cruise control on motorways helps maintain an efficient constant speed. 5

Change gear earlier: Shifting up at around 2,000 rpm (diesel) or 2,500 rpm (petrol) keeps the engine in its most efficient rev range and reduces fuel burn. 2

Maintain Your Vehicle

Check tyre pressure regularly: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder. Keeping tyres at the correct pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 2%. 4

Remove roof racks and boxes when not in use: An empty roof rack adds aerodynamic drag and can increase fuel consumption by around 10% at motorway speeds. Remove it when you don't need it. 3

Clear out unnecessary weight: Every extra 50kg in the car increases fuel consumption by roughly 1–2%. Removing heavy items from the boot that you don't need adds up over time. 4

Cut Fuel Use Before You Even Start the Engine

Avoid short trips where possible: Cold engines use considerably more fuel. A 1-mile cold-start journey can use twice as much fuel as the same trip on a warm engine. 5

Turn off air conditioning when you don't need it: Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by around 8–10% in urban driving. Use it selectively and consider opening windows at lower speeds instead. 2

Switch off the engine when stationary: Idling for more than a minute burns more fuel than restarting the engine. Many modern cars do this automatically via stop-start systems. 3

Also Compare What You Pay Per Litre

Buying cheaper fuel stretches every tank further: Even if your driving is efficient, paying more per litre than necessary adds up fast. Supermarkets regularly undercut branded forecourts by 3–8p per litre. 1

Find the cheapest station near you: CheckFuelPrices shows live petrol and diesel prices at over 4,000 UK stations, updated every 30 minutes, so you can fill up at the best price on your route. 1