How to reduce your car fuel bill

With the average cost of fuel now between 13p and 18p per mile, filling up your car can feel like a significant strain on the bank balance. Fortunately, there are some simple checks you can do to help get the most out of your tank.

Check your wheel alignment 

When your wheels are out of alignment, this can cause uneven wear on your tyres and increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder to overcome the drag and maintain speed which subsequently uses more fuel. 

You can feel if your wheels are misaligned as the steering will generally pull to one side. A garage professional will be able to carry out a check to confirm this if you are in any doubt.

Ensure your pressures are correct

It is recommended to maintain the correct pressures (PSI) in your tyres as per the manufacturer’s guidance. Failing to do so can be a safety issue, and it can impact fuel consumption. Underinflated tyres generate increased friction and drag, causing fuel consumption to also increase. Even if your pressures are only underinflated by 10psi, this could increase the petrol usage of your car by up to 10%. For more information on how to input the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle, consult your car manual or contact your nearest Envoy dealer.

Check the tyre label

When purchasing a new tyre, you can check the EU tyre label which highlights its fuel efficiency rating, allowing you to make an informed choice. Ratings range from A (most efficient) to F (least efficient) for summer tyres. More specialised tyres will have different performance levels depending on what purpose they have been designed for. 

Lighten the load

Additional weight in your vehicle can lead to unnecessary fuel consumption – potentially accelerating it by up to 2% depending on the size of your car. Weight factors include the number of passengers as well as any items in your boot, so it’s wise to only carry the essentials when travelling. If you are travelling with a heavier load than usual, be sure to increase your tyre pressures to account for this – the correct PSI for the load can be found in your vehicle handbook or on the inside of the car door.

Plan your route

Finding the best route for your journey can not only save you time, it can save on the cost of fuel too. Many sat nav systems and apps now include eco-routing, to help you get to where you need to be in the most economical way. 

Don’t stay idle for long

It’s recommended to turn off your engine when sitting in traffic for periods longer than one minute to prevent wasting fuel. If your vehicle features an automatic stop/start mode, ensure this is enabled.

Take advantage of cruise control

When driving on flat surfaces over long distances, such as when on the motorway, using your car’s cruise control can help to preserve fuel. However, it is not suitable when driving in residential or built up areas, where it is more difficult to manage a constant speed over varying gradients.

For further advice on how to get the most out of your tank, speak to your local Envoy dealer.