How can I make my fuel last longer? 5 tips to avoid wasting diesel and petrol

A CAR expert has shared five top tips to avoid wasting diesel and petrol while driving.

With the cost of living crisis continuing to take a toll, the increased cost of fuel is a concern for most drivers.

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Handily, insurance experts at A-Plan Insurance have rounded up five tips to help drivers improve their car’s fuel efficiency.

Watch your speed

The RAC says driving at 45-50mph is the most efficient speed for fuel consumption.

But, driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than motoring along at 60mph and up to 15% more than 50mph.

According to the Department for Transport, driving at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph. 

And motorway drivers should use cruise control if they have it.

Watch your gears

To save on fuel, drivers could also adopt a smoother driving technique.

A-plan Insurance says that drivers should anticipate the road ahead and ease off the throttle and maintain momentum rather than braking hard and then accelerating again if they want to make their fuel last longer.

Remove weight and reduce drag

If you have items in your boot or a bike or roof rack on your car that you don’t need, you should remove these to avoid the aerodynamic drag and extra weight – both of which reduce your overall fuel efficiency.

A heavier car will simply need more fuel to keep it moving.

Maintain your tyres

Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month, as tyres that are under-inflated burn more fuel.

Tyres that are eight pounds under inflated have a rolling resistance that increases by 5%.

Avoid travel hotspots

Sitting in traffic jams with your engine on can consume around 0.6 litres of fuel per hour.

Cars with a stop/start engine are recommended for drivers who frequently find themselves stuck in traffic jams.

Check Google Maps before you set off on your journey, as this can notify you of the congested routes and even suggest an alternative to keep you moving.

This comes after a consumer expert warned drivers over insane petrol station charges that you can’t afford to ignore.

Plus, a major supermarket is giving drivers 5p off a litre of fuel – but there’s a catch.