With fuel prices continuing to fluctuate, finding ways to improve your car’s fuel economy can make a real difference to your monthly motoring costs.
The good news is that improving fuel efficiency doesn’t always require expensive upgrades. Small changes to your driving habits and vehicle maintenance routine can help you reduce fuel consumption, save money, and lower your environmental impact.
Visit our maintenance guidance hub for more guides on reducing running costs, maintaining your vehicle, and getting the most from your car.
Here are some of the most effective ways to make your car more fuel efficient.
1. Remove Unnecessary Weight
The heavier your vehicle is, the harder your engine has to work.
Take a look inside your car and remove anything you don’t need. Sports equipment, tools, luggage, and other items can quickly add unnecessary weight.
Reducing excess weight can improve fuel economy, particularly during city driving where frequent acceleration is required.
2. Remove Roof Racks When Not in Use
Roof racks, roof boxes, and bike carriers increase aerodynamic drag, making your vehicle less efficient.
Even when empty, these accessories can increase fuel consumption, particularly at motorway speeds.
If you’re not actively using them, removing them can help improve fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise.
3. Use Air Conditioning Sensibly
Air conditioning places additional load on your engine, which can increase fuel consumption.
While it’s perfectly fine to use air conditioning when needed, particularly during hot weather, consider switching it off when conditions allow.
At lower speeds, opening windows may be a more efficient option. At higher motorway speeds, however, open windows can create additional drag, so air conditioning may be the better choice.
4. Maintain Correct Tyre Pressures
Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, meaning your engine must work harder to move the vehicle.
Check your tyre pressures regularly and ensure they match the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Benefits of correctly inflated tyres include:
- Improved fuel economy
- Better handling
- Reduced tyre wear
- Improved safety
You can usually find the correct tyre pressures in your owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame.
5. Change Gears Efficiently
For manual vehicles, driving in the highest suitable gear helps reduce engine revs and fuel consumption.
Changing up earlier and avoiding unnecessarily high revs can significantly improve fuel economy.
Many modern vehicles include gear-shift indicators that recommend the most efficient time to change gear.
6. Use Cruise Control on Longer Journeys
Maintaining a consistent speed is one of the easiest ways to improve fuel efficiency.
Cruise control can help reduce unnecessary acceleration and braking, particularly on motorways and dual carriageways.
Smooth driving generally consumes less fuel than constantly adjusting speed.
7. Stick to Speed Limits
Driving faster uses more fuel.
Although fuel efficiency varies between vehicles, most cars become noticeably less economical at higher motorway speeds.
By sticking to speed limits and driving smoothly, you can reduce fuel consumption while improving safety and avoiding costly speeding fines.
8. Take Advantage of Stop-Start Technology
Many modern vehicles feature stop-start technology that automatically switches off the engine when stationary.
This can be particularly beneficial during:
- Traffic jams
- Long waits at traffic lights
- Roadworks
If your vehicle doesn’t have stop-start technology, switching off the engine during longer periods of stationary traffic can help save fuel.
9. Avoid Aggressive Acceleration and Braking
Rapid acceleration and harsh braking waste fuel.
Instead, try to:
- Accelerate smoothly
- Anticipate traffic conditions
- Leave enough distance between vehicles
- Maintain momentum where safe to do so
Smoother driving not only improves fuel economy but can also reduce wear on your brakes and tyres.
10. Keep Your Vehicle Serviced
A well-maintained vehicle is generally a more efficient vehicle.
Regular servicing helps ensure:
- The engine runs efficiently
- Air filters remain clean
- Spark plugs function correctly
- Fluids are maintained at proper levels
Ignoring routine maintenance can lead to increased fuel consumption and higher repair costs later on.
Unsure how often you should service your vehicle, we’ve got all you need to know here.
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Final Thoughts
Improving your fuel efficiency doesn’t require major changes. By maintaining your vehicle properly, driving smoothly, and making a few simple adjustments to your daily routine, you can significantly reduce fuel consumption and save money over time.
Even small improvements can add up to substantial savings over the course of a year.
Thinking About Switching to a More Economical Car?
If you’re considering upgrading to a more fuel-efficient vehicle, Jamjar can help you sell your current car quickly and easily.
Jamjar compares offers from a trusted network of UK car buyers, helping you secure a competitive price without the hassle of private selling.
Simply enter your registration number into our free online valuation tool to find out how much your car could be worth today.