How to make your petrol go further...

...and spend less at the petrol pump

With the credit crunch hitting our wallets hard in recent months, the specter of a recession hitting the UK economy is looming ever closer. Everyone appears to be feeling the financial strain, especially if you happen to be one of Britain's millions of beleaguered motorists, who are facing increased rates of vehicle depreciation and spiralling fuel costs.

However, by making just a few changes to the way you drive, you can make some credit crunch-busting savings at the petrol station. Here are a selection.

1. Avoid severe acceleration and braking

According to the RAC, it is possible to save up to 30% on fuel costs by remaining at a steady speed and averting sharp accelerating and braking.

Predicting traffic movements, particularly at junctions, traffic lights, and when queuing (to allow you to "roll" to avoid unnecessary engaging of the throttle) can help you to achieve this, and can also assist in reducing general wear-and-tear on your vehicle.

And remember to properly plan your journey: the shortest route may not always prove the most economical (or indeed quickest) if congested.

2. Watch your speed!

The faster your vehicle travels, the higher the drag it creates and consequently the more fuel it will consume. It's all about physics. The Department for Transport estimates that whilst driving on motorways, for example, travelling at 70mph consumes 9% more fuel than at 60mph, and 15% more than whilst moving at 50mph.

3. Select the correct gear

It is estimated that driving fast in lower gears can use up to 45% more fuel than by using a higher gear at the same speed, so try to change up as early as possibly. In a petrol car this should be at 2,500 revs per minute, and 2,000 in a diesel.

It is also worth remembering when buying a vehicle that cars with automatic transmission consume more fuel than their manual counterparts.

4. Keep your vehicle properly maintained

Ensuring that your car is regularly serviced can increase fuel economy by in excess of 10%. This includes:

checking spark plugs which can waste fuel by misfiring,
checking that you have used the right grade of motor oil
and replacing air filters when they become dirty and clogged

(all simple issues that can be solved at your local garage, but which can cost hundreds of pounds per year if left unresolved).

However, the most common problem (although potentially the easiest to address) affecting fuel consumption is that of under-inflated tyres. Driving with deflated tyres can cost an extra 2-3% in wasted fuel. Most petrol stations have air-filling pods where you can check and fill your tyres as required (preferably when the tyres are cold), so consult your vehicle handbook to check the correct level and have a go.

5. Remove all unnecessary objects

Take care to ensure that items that are not in use, or not likely to be required, are removed from the vehicle. These can range from heavy objects inside the car or bootspace which add extra weight, to roof racks and other external fixtures which can also increase drag. But exercise some caution when doing this: you don't want to find yourself without a spare wheel when stranded in the countryside with a puncture, after all!