Fuel Saving Tips

This isn't the first time I've listed ways of saving petrol (See here), but with fuel prices continuing to rise steeply (17% in the last year) I've been on the look-out for more tips to tell you about:

• Try to plan ahead and combine journeys, saving unnecessary mileage.

• Stick to the speed limit e.g. Driving at 70 mph on the motorway instead of 80 will use about 10% less fuel.

• Reduce the load: Empty as much out of your boot as possible and try not to fill your fuel tank too much. It's all extra weight.

• Drive more smoothly: Avoid sudden braking or acceleration if possible. It's just not efficient.

• Avoid heavy traffic by leaving earlier. Stop-go driving and sitting in a queues uses a lot more petrol.

• If you are caught in a queue and it looks like you'll be sitting still for a few minutes, switch off the engine.

• Only use the air-con when necessary.

• Try Hypermiling e.g. here and here. It's a way of getting the absolute maximum out of every gallon, sometimes even exceeding official mpg figures for some models! But the more extreme techniques involved (like pulse and glide) are not for everyone.