Saving fuel: 10 tips that really work

1. 1

   Check your tyre pressure

   Too little air increases rolling resistance and so fuel consumption. Stick to the manufacturer's figures – with a full load, the higher value applies.

2. 2

   Change up early

   Low engine speeds save fuel. In everyday driving it is usually enough to shift up to the next gear early.

3. 3

   Anticipate the traffic

   Coast instead of braking: if you lift off the accelerator with a gear engaged, a modern engine uses next to no fuel thanks to overrun fuel cut-off.

4. 4

   Slow down

   Air resistance grows with the square of speed. On the motorway, consumption therefore rises noticeably with every extra kilometre per hour.

5. 5

   Clear out dead weight

   Unnecessary weight in the boot costs energy every time you pull away – especially in city traffic.

6. 6

   Take off roof boxes and racks

   Anything on the roof creates drag from the airflow – even when empty. So take it off again straight after your holiday.

7. 7

   Use the air conditioning wisely

   Air conditioning needs energy. Airing the car briefly and then cooling in a targeted way uses less than running it constantly on the highest setting.

8. 8

   Switch off the engine when stationary

   For longer waits, such as at a level crossing, it is worth switching the engine off. An automatic stop-start system does this for you.

9. 9

   Avoid short trips

   A cold engine uses a lot of fuel. Short journeys can often be done on foot, by bike or combined into one trip.

10. 10

    Fill up cheaply

    Fill up in the morning before 12 noon, compare prices, avoid motorway stations – that way you pay less for every litre.

When you fill up often makes a difference of several cents per litre. How prices fluctuate over the day is explained in The best time to fill up; what a journey costs is worked out by the fuel cost calculator.