With fuel prices at a record high, it’s more important than ever to try and make your fuel go further. Sure, hybrid cars already have a strong advantage here thanks to their ability to get more miles from every litre, but even still, our following tips can still help you cut costs and make the most from every tankful.
FOR ALL CARS
This should go without saying (but we’ll say it anyway), it’s time to remove any unnecessary weight in your car. Clear out that boot and leave other unnecessary belongings in your garage or house. Reducing your car’s weight will instantly boost your car’s performance and fuel usage.
Check that your tyre pressure matches the figures inside your owner’s manual. If your tyres have low pressure, you’ll use more fuel due to them causing drag.
Avoid adding miles to your journey by planning ahead. Get that sat-nav on and see what traffic there is on your route before setting off. Delays and detours could drain that tank pretty quickly.
Keep those windows and sunroof closed when hitting speeds above 40 to reduce drag and save on fuel.
Remove roof racks and boxes if you’re using them. As you can probably tell by now, they generate drag too… and therefore, cost fuel.
Switch to Eco mode. Driving in Eco mode will adjust the response of the accelerator and, in some cars, the air conditioning performance too.
If your car has cruise control, use it – it’s a great way of maintaining a steady speed, so less fuel/power is used.
Keep your speed steady and don’t rush away at those lights. Smooth acceleration and no heavy braking go a long way.
FOR HYBRID CARS
It’s time to properly familiarise yourself with the information displayed on your dashboard. The hybrid information displayed will give you all the necessary energy information and where it’s coming from – the hybrid battery or the engine. This display should be your best friend at all times.
If your car has it, the hybrid system will switch to EV electric drive when possible. EV Mode will allow your car to be powered solely by the battery at low speeds.
Braking gently will harvest more energy, allowing it to store as electricity in the hybrid battery. This feature is normally seen in most hybrid cars, but check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure.
Using the air recirculation function in the air conditioning system will reduce energy usage. Remember, things like lights and wipers all increase energy usage too, so don’t sit idle outside your home with the lights and wipers on waiting for that rain to stop.