How to Drive More Economically and Cut Your Fuel Bill

At a glance

Why driving style matters more than most people think

Two drivers in identical cars over the same route can see a genuine double-digit difference in fuel use purely from technique. Harsh acceleration burns disproportionately more fuel than gradual acceleration, and hard braking wastes the kinetic energy you just paid for in fuel — smoothing both out is consistently the single biggest lever available to any driver, regardless of engine type.

The techniques that work

• Anticipate the road ahead — easing off early for a red light or roundabout uses far less fuel than accelerating hard then braking hard
• Change up early — in a manual, shifting at 2,000-2,500rpm rather than revving hard uses noticeably less fuel; most manufacturers' eco-shift indicators are tuned around this
• Use cruise control on steady motorway runs — it holds a constant speed more efficiently than most people drive manually
• Avoid unnecessary idling — modern engines don't need a warm-up idle; drive off gently instead
• Keep speed sensible on motorways — dropping from 80mph to 70mph can cut fuel use by roughly 10-15% due to aerodynamic drag rising sharply with speed

Vehicle set-up that helps economy

Tyres

Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance; running 20% under the recommended pressure can raise fuel consumption by around 2%, on top of wearing tyres unevenly and reducing grip. Check pressures monthly when cold — the correct figures are on a sticker inside the driver's door or in the handbook.

Weight and drag

Roof boxes and roof bars create significant aerodynamic drag; a loaded roof box can worsen motorway fuel economy by 10-15% and should come off as soon as you don't need it. Clearing unnecessary weight from the boot also helps, though its effect is smaller than aerodynamic drag at speed.

Air conditioning and electrics

Air conditioning does draw extra fuel, particularly at low speed, but at motorway speeds the drag from an open window usually costs more than running the air con with windows shut — use whichever is more comfortable, but don't leave the air con running unnecessarily on cold days when it isn't needed.

Trip planning that saves fuel

1. Combine short local errands into one trip — a cold engine uses far more fuel per mile for the first mile or two
2. Use a sat-nav that reroutes around heavy traffic; idling in queues burns fuel for zero distance covered
3. Plan fuel stops around supermarket forecourts or price-comparison apps, since prices can vary by 10p+/litre between filling stations in the same town