Are you wasting your energy?

In 1983 the price of petrol was just under 44 p per litre. In June it was almost £2. And, whilst modern cars are now much more fuel efficient, the cost of filling up is eye watering.

Although we’re turning towards electric, we all need to think about how to conserve fuel. To help with this I have pulled together some thoughts. I am sure you have more; it would be great if you would share.

How can you drive more efficiently?

  • Optimise your speed
    • The RAC says driving at 45 – 50mph is the most efficient speed for fuel consumption, not the ‘56mph myth’. I presume that this does not mean that they are encouraging this in 30 mph zones!
    • Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more than at 50mph. 80mph can use up to 25% more than at 70mph.
  • Gently does it to
    • Think ahead! If you’re approaching traffic lights, for example, slow down early so that they may have changed by the time you reach them, meaning you might not need to stop at all.
    • Anticipate the road in front of you and ease off the throttle and maintain momentum rather than braking hard and then accelerating again. Do not, though, put the car into neutral!
  • Remove weight and reduce drag 
    • Remove any unnecessary items from the boot and remove your bike rack or roof rack when you don’t need it. A heavier car needs more fuel to keep it moving. A good excuse to leave the mother-in-law at home.
  • Use aircon less often to reduce fuel consumption
    • Using aircon can increase fuel consumption by around 10%. Opening your windows (or lowering your soft top) is a cheaper option!
    • And if you are taking short trips, it’s even more important to switch off that aircon as it will use most of its energy for the initial cool-down
  • Maintain your tyres to reduce fuel consumption
    • Check your tyre pressure at least once a month. Under-inflated tyres burn more fuel. If tyres are 8 pounds under inflated (not an uncommon condition), rolling resistance of the tyres increases by 5 per cent. This alone could make a difference of £150 in a year.
    • If your tyres are losing pressure, it may be that your alloy wheels need refurbishment. If so, Bumps & Scuffs can help.

Upgrade your car to reduce fuel consumption

  • And Bumps & Scuffs can also help here. With the rising cost of fuel, investing in a newer car (not necessarily brand new!) will immediately save you a fortune in fuel – as well as reducing your road tax. If you want to make sure that your car achieves its maximum sales price, bring it to Bumps & Scuffs and we will make sure that it is in the best possible shape.

Please share your tips.

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45 The Street,Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4QS
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