Vehicle Maintenance Advice
Less Revs
Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking. Aim to change up a gear at an engine speed of around 2,000 RPM in a diesel car or around 2,500 RPM in a petrol car.
Smarter Braking
Decelerate smoothly when you have to slow down or to stop, releasing the accelerator in plenty of time, leaving the car in gear.
Lose the Weight
Extra weight means extra fuel so if there's anything in the boot you don't need on the journey take it out. Remove roof boxes and tow bars when they aren't needed.
Stick to Speed Limits
The faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and pollution. Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more than at 50mph. Cruising at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph.
Engine Starting
Start the engine when your ready to go, starting the engine before your ready to go wastes fuel and the engine warms up more quickly when you're moving. In the winter, scrape ice rather than leaving the car idling to warm up.
Reduce Air-Con Usage
Air-conditioning increases fuel consumption at low speeds, but at higher speeds the effects are less noticeable. So if it's a hot day open the windows around town and save the air conditioning for high speed driving. Don't leave air-con on all the time but aim to run it at least once a week to ensure the system remains in good condition.
On-board Electrics
Electrical loads increase fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen, demister blowers and headlights, when you don't need them. Unplug Sat-Nav and phone chargers when you don't need them.
Good Quality Tyres
It pays to fit good quality tyres. Tyres play a big part in fuel consumption, road noise, and their individual effects on the environment. Take this into consideration the next time you need a new tyre.
Check your Tyres
Ensure to check the condition of your tyres on a regular basis. Check for good tread depth over the circumference of each tyre. The legal limit 1.6mm, indicated by tabs in-between the tread, however it is recommended not to drop below 3mm. Look for signs of wearing and cracking in-between the tread and tyre wall. Check for anything protruding or abnormality.
Correct PSI
Check your tyre pressures regularly and before long journeys. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure will help to extend the life of your tyres, improve vehicle safety and maintain fuel efficiency. Check your vehicles handbook or door panel for the correct pressures.
Car Washing
Have your vehicle washed, clayed and polish regularly to reduce dirt build up causing extra drag/friction which in turn uses extra fuel.
Servicing
Have your vehicle serviced as recommended by the manufacture, at least every year or 12,000 miles. This will maintain engine efficiency.
Engine Oil
If you should need to top up your engine oil, make sure to use the right specification oil, refer to your vehicles hand book.
Engine Checks
Ensure to regularly check your vehicles fluid levels. This includes engine oil, coolant and anti-freeze, brake fluid and screen wash. Top up if required in accordance to your vehicles handbook.
Fuel Additive
By adding a good quality fuel additive each time you fill up will save fuel, lower emissions and extend the life of your engine.