Getting the most out of your car – whether it runs on petrol, diesel or electricity – doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small changes to the way you drive and look after your vehicle can make a real difference to how far your fuel or battery takes you.
With a bit of planning and some new driving habits, you can enjoy smoother journeys and save money along the way.
Here are our best fuel‑saving tips to help you go further for less.
1. Plan your route and leave plenty of time
The route you take and time of day you travel will have the biggest impact on your car’s performance. Sitting in traffic isn’t just a waste of your time, but a waste of fuel and energy, too.
Main roads with good quality road surfaces, driven before or after rush hour, are your best bet for excellent fuel economy. Also, avoid hills where possible – getting up them uses more fuel and battery power.
If you’re not rushing about, you won't use as much fuel, so give yourself plenty of time.
2. Look after your car
For petrol and diesel cars, skimping on servicing or choosing the cheapest oil that isn't recommended by the vehicle manufacturer is a false economy. Your car has been designed to exacting standards and operates within fine tolerances. Cut corners and it won’t work as well.
Follow the manufacturer's servicing schedule, check tyre condition regularly and keep them inflated to the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres can cause more resistance and make your engine work harder.
Michelin research shows that tyres underinflated by just 15psi can reduce a car’s fuel efficiency by around six per cent.
When you next need replacements, consider fitting tyres with a good fuel‑efficiency rating under the UK’s updated tyre‑labelling system. It’s also worth checking your wheel alignment (tracking), as misaligned wheels can increase fuel use.
If you drive an electric or hybrid car, it’s important to look after the battery. Wherever possible, charge slowly using your AC charger, and save the rapid charging for when you really need it.
It’s sensible to maintain your battery level at around 85% and avoid leaving it almost empty (under 5%) for too long. If you have a smart charging system, make good use of it to maintain the health of your battery and take advantage of cheaper, off-peak electricity.
And, whichever car you drive, it's best to remove unnecessary items from your boot (boxes, pushchairs, etc..), and take down roof racks or boxes when not in use. They'll add more weight to your vehicle, slowing it down and increasing energy consumption.
3. Use air-conditioning wisely
Air‑conditioning still has a noticeable impact on fuel use, but modern systems are more efficient than they used to be.
Depending on your car and the conditions you’re driving in, using the air-con can increase your fuel consumption by around 8-10%.
That said, the aerodynamic drag caused by open windows can use even more fuel than the air‑con, so it’s usually better to keep windows closed on the motorway and use the ventilation system instead.
On warm days, start by opening the windows for the first minute of your journey to let hot air escape, then switch to air‑con once the cabin has cooled. Avoid running the system at its coldest setting for long periods, and remember that heated windscreens and heated seats also draw extra energy.
The same goes for EVs – don't forget the battery powers everything, including your stereo, your heated seats and your air-con. The more features you have running, the more energy you'll use.
4. Moderate your speed
Driving at lower speeds is one of the most effective ways to reduce fuel consumption. Most cars are at their most efficient between 45-60mph. As a good rule of thumb, dropping from 70mph to 60mph can improve fuel economy by 9%, depending on your vehicle.
The faster you drive, the more wind resistance your car faces and the harder the engine has to work.
Cruise control can help maintain a steady speed on flat roads, but avoid using it on hilly routes. Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), now fitted to many newer cars, can also help you stay within limits and avoid unnecessary acceleration.
The secret is to drive smoothly and maintain a steady speed. Don’t race away from traffic lights: push smoothly on the accelerator and aim to build speed gradually.
However, that doesn’t mean you should drive more slowly than is appropriate for the road you’re on.
If your EV has regenerative breaking, it’s worth using it, especially on a long journey. Your braking system will act like a generator, converting any heat from braking back into battery power. Every little helps.
You should also be able to get a few more miles on one charge - remember, the more you hit the pedals, the more energy you waste.
5. Pay attention to the road ahead
As with all aspects of driving, paying attention, spotting potential hazards and anticipating other drivers’ intentions will make you safer and more efficient at the wheel. So, look ahead, read the road and anticipate as much as possible – the aim is to maintain momentum and avoid unneccessary braking or accelleration.
6. Avoid coasting
Dipping the clutch or shifting into neutral when a car is coasting can be dangerous.
Modern cars are designed to manage fuel efficiently when you take your foot off the accelerator, so there’s no benefit to coasting in neutral or keeping the clutch down. You also risk losing control of the vehicle.
Staying in gear allows the engine to brake properly and keeps the car steady.
The safest and most efficient approach is to anticipate traffic early, ease off the accelerator and let the car slow down naturally.
