MAKING your fuel go further has never been so important, as prices are rocketing at the petrol pumps.
Consumer experts at Which? have come up with some top tips to help motorists make the most of every mile.
Petrol prices have hit a string of record highs over the past week, as the situation in Ukraine has sparked fears about the oil supply.
One forecourt in London was even spotted selling fuel for an eye-watering £2.18 per litre.
Average fuel prices have now topped £1.63 for petrol and £1.73 for diesel, according to the RAC.
There are hopes that the spiralling prices could ease in the near the future and that this will be passed on to motorists.
In the meantime, the cost of filling up a typical family car has reached a whopping £90.
It’s a further blow to Brits, who are already grappling a brutal cost of living crisis.
With all that in mind, it makes sense to try and make your fuel go as far as it can.
And experts at Which? have rounded up the 10 top tricks for saving money on fuel costs.
Supermarket petrol stations are typically slightly cheaper than others, and much less pricey than those you’ll find on the motorway.
You might be able to get money off through loyalty cards or vouchers too.
Morrisons was recently offering 7p off a litre of fuel for its customers.
Which? said some loyalty cards let you collect points each time you fill up, which can later be exchanged for cashback and discounts.
Forecourt regulars will notice that there are usually several pumps to choose from.
While you definitely don’t want to get your diesel and petrol pumps mixed up – there’s something else to be aware of too.
Premium or super unleaded is usually a few pence a litre more expensive than standard unleaded.
And unless you drive a high-performance car that specifically requires it, there’s no need to pay the extra for it.
Once you’ve got your car filled up, driving smoothly can help make sure you don’t have to go back and refuel again too soon.
Accelerate gently and smoothly, and avoid slamming on the brakes unnecessarily – this will have a major impact on your fuel consumption.
Which? also suggests skipping gears if you’re driving a manual – switching directly from second to fourth, for example, if it’s safe to do so.
Obeying the speed limit will help you avoid a fine and points on your licence – and it will also help your fuel consumption.
According to The Department for Transport (DfT), driving at 80mph uses around 25% more fuel than sticking to 70mph.
And if it’s a hot day, you might want to think twice before opening the windows – this causes drag, which means you have to use more fuel to get to speed.
The more weight in your car, the more fuel it will use.
So if your boot is chock-full of golf clubs or there’s an unused bike rack on the roof, consider lightening the load.
You might not want to get in a cold car on a chilly winter’s morning, but leaving the engine running to warm things up is just wasting fuel.
If you’re clearing the windscreen, use de-icer and scraper rather than relying on the engine to do the hard work.
You’ll reduce engine wear, too.
Many cars these days are often stuffed full of gizmos and gadgets – but some of them could be increasing your fuel consumption.
Air conditioning is notorious for using up fuel on a hot day, but windscreen heaters and demisters are energy-sapping pieces of tech you might not have considered.
While you shouldn’t avoid them at all costs – it makes sense to only use them when it’s necessary.
They say all roads lead home, but if you take the scenic route, you’ll be using up much more fuel to get there.
Using sat nav or planning the old fashioned way with a road map will make sure you take the quickest – and most fuel efficient – route to where you’re going.
Modern sat navs can also flag traffic jams and road closures, to help you avoid any kinks in the plan.
Tyre pressure is a key thing to keep an eye on if you’re trying to make your fuel go further.
The car’s manual will tell you what pressure your tyres should be at, and it’s worth checking regularly.
While you’re at it, make sure you’ve got freshly topped up oil and clean filters in your engine to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.
We’ve looked up how to change your car’s oil and how often it should be done.
One way to avoid rising petrol prices is, of course, not to use any petrol in the first place.
That doesn’t mean you need to get your old push bike out.
If you’re considering a new car, Which? says it may be worth pricing up to see if an electric vehicle is worth your while.
Of course, you’ll also have to consider how you’re going to charge the car, which can be difficult if you don’t have a driveway. And there may be other costs to consider too.
Meanwhile, here’s a simple trick to make sure you never put too much petrol in your car.
And here are four checks you need to do on your tyres right now.
Elsewhere, motorists have been left fuming after supermarkets introduced £99 authorisation charges on fuel.
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