Drivers could make four changes to their car to save fuel (stock) (Image: Getty)
With the war in Iran sending fuel prices skyrocketing, Brits are keeping a keener eye on their fuel gauges than ever before.
And there are ways to save 25 percent or more on a tank of fuel by making a few simple changes to their cars. These changes are completely free but could make a massive difference.
The impact of these changes will vary from car to car, but nevertheless, at a time when the average price of a litre of petrol is above 150p a litre, every little change could make a difference over the course of a tank.
The team at Autocar have given four simple tips. Writing in the publication, their starting point was their Dacia Sandero Stepway hatchback.
The first step listed was to make sure the tyre pressures were correct. If a car’s tyre pressures are uneven across the tyres, this could have an impact on MPG as it will affect rolling resistance.
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Tyre pressures are one factor that can make a difference to fuel economy (stock) (Image: Getty)
The second step is removing all necessary weight from the car such as litter or, if no children are travelling, child seats etc. Less weight means the car will be lighter and thus need less fuel to move that weight.
The third step is removing drag. More drag means more air resistance, which means more effort required by the engine to push the car through the air at a speed.
The fourth step may sound strange, but could be crucial. It involves turning on elements of the car in the right order before the engine turns on.
Autocar say that Red Driver Training instructor, Evan Morris, pointed out the difference sequencing can make. They said: “Morris is quick to note the small details when we get in – things like starting the engine before putting on seatbelts, every second the engine’s running equating to fuel used.
“Put your seatbelts on before you’ve started it, then, likewise putting a destination into the sat-nav, changing the radio station or picking a favourite podcast.”
Following their changes, the Autocar journalist wrote that they saw a 12mpg improvement up from to 48.0mpg to 60.4mpg.
The tips come at a tough time for the UK’s motorists (Image: Getty)
What’s more, these aren’t the only experts to have suggested changes that can affect fuel consumption. Some also suggest the UK’s motorists should change their driving style.
What this means in practice is being smoother, being more gentle on the throttle and brakes, driving in higher gears at lower speeds to ensure the engine is revving less. The higher an engine revs, the less fuel it will be using.
Speaking to the Express, ClickMechanic’s Scott Greensmith recommended: “Driving more smoothly and anticipating traffic ahead can make a noticeable difference to efficiency. Constant stop-start driving and sudden bursts of speed force the engine to work harder, which uses more fuel over time.”