FUEL prices have been making and breaking records on an almost weekly basis through the first part of 2011.
For some, seeing petrol approach £1.40 a litre - and diesel move above this - has led to more prudent car use.
However, while using more public transport - or simply making an effort to avoid unnecessary travel altogether - may work for some, for others, such as those who must drive for their jobs, or who live in remote locations, it is simply not an option.
Meanwhile, there are many other costs associated with motoring which are incurred simply in having access to a vehicle, and are known as 'standing charges'. For example, simply to have your car ready to use on the road involves a range of costs, including having tax and insurance, along with any breakdown cover you may want. And while you may not want to think about it too closely, the depreciation in value of your vehicle is linked to the number of miles you cover - and the wear and tear you subject it to.
But regardless of how much you drive, taking a little more care to ensure that you are as efficient as possible is always an option.
Here are some things to consider
Before you leave…
Remove excess weight and cut the drag - Within the car, anything which you aren't using is simply going to contribute to the overall weight of the car, increasing fuel consumption. On the outside, any redundant accessories will also reduce the aerodynamics of your vehicle - increasing drag and lowering efficiency. Consider removing things such as roof racks if you are not using them.
Keep it pumped up - As well as potentially being dangerous, under-inflated tyres are going to increase drag on the road, increasing fuel consumption.
Plan your journey - Avoiding road works and probable congestion is not only good for the soul while driving, but it can help increase fuel economy by avoiding start/stop motoring - the bane of the fuel-conscious.
Don't 'warm up' - Modern cars don't need to warm up on the drive before being driven off. However, it can nevertheless take a few minutes and a couple of miles for them to be running efficiently, meaning very short journeys are not economical. Consider tying a number of individual errands into one longer trip.
On the move…
Look ahead to be a smoothie - Keeping your speed at a constant level is best for conserving fuel, so avoid any sudden acceleration or breaking (where it is safe to do so) by looking ahead.
Turn off the air con - Air conditioning puts quite a strain on the engine - and hence harms fuel efficiency - so it pays to turn it off when you don't need it. It can be particularly useful, however, if you are travelling at speed. Giving a quick blast - turning it off when you have cooled down - is more efficient than driving with your window down, which causes drag as the speedo creeps up.
Change up - and slow down - earlier - Changing gear before you hit 2,500 revs in a petrol car (or 2,000 in a diesel) will improve your MPG. Meanwhile, when you are going downhill, or coming to a gradual stop, take your foot off the accelerator earlier while remaining in gear.
Stick to the speed limit - In addition to being sound advice from a safety and legal perspective, avoiding breaking the speed limit at motorway speeds can make a significant difference compared to travelling at, say, 80mph.
Whilst looking at ways to help run your car more efficiently, you may also want to consider what else you can do to ensure you're getting value for money. For example, when looking online for a car insurance quote, make sure you're getting the right level of cover at a fair price.
