Fuel saving driving tips for better MPG.

"It ain't what you drive - it's the way that you drive it!"

We could all save a substantial amount of money by adopting a few of these fuel saving driving tips. It's good for the environment and it's good for our pockets too.

By keeping an eye on your MPG you can get early warning of problems like slow punctures or engine faults before they become more serious.

Allow the car to drift the last 700 yards up to a junction rather than accelerate all the way.

Drive with a maximum 1/3 to 1/2 throttle - if you get the revs right you will not notice much of a loss of power.

Avoid braking and stopping (2 of the biggest fuel wasters) - anticipate the road ahead and roll up to roundabouts. (If you're good you can avoid using your brakes on a typical journey!!!)

Driving at 75 mph uses far more fuel that 65 mph. A distance of 50 miles at 75 mph takes 39.6mins but at 65 it takes 46.2 mins

If it's hot open the window rather than turn on the air conditioning, if it's really hot open another window and turn the blowers on, if your steering wheel starts melting then turn on the air conditioning.

Avoid using things that drain the battery - because extra pull occurs on the Alternator requiring more fuel (air-con is very noticeable). The big drains are rear window heater, blowers & heaters, headlights.

Inflate your tyres to the correct pressure.

Try to maintain a constant speed - 75 mph uses far more fuel that 65 mph. A distance of 50 miles at 75 mph takes 39.6mins but at 65 it takes 46.2 mins So is 6.6 minutes of your time, the increased risk of being killed, the extra damage to the environment and the extra wear on the engine really worth the extra 25% fuel cost!

Hotter engines are more economical than colder ones - changing the thermostatic control or partially blocking the radiator MAY help on SOME cars. (Run the engine too hot and you will break it - you have been warned.)

Empty the boot of tools you've use and haven't got round to taking out, the camping equipment from last year, and the box of junk you have kicking around - less weight = more fuel economy so if you went on a diet that would help as well.

Keep the car well serviced - change the plugs, oil, filters and check the bearings and ensure that the brakes are not dragging. Fully disengage the handbrake as well when you drive off!

Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time - turn it off at railway crossings etc...

Put some injector cleaning like redex in - it really does help keep things at peak efficiency and in my car added 2 mpg!

Fuel magnets did not work for me I wouldn't bother with them!!!

Don't be lazy. Walk to the corner shop - it's only 3 minutes away.

If you liked this page please share it with your friends, drop a link to it in your favourite forum or use the bookmarking options to save it to your social media profile.

Check out TorqueCars new YouTube channel, and see their awesome new content...

Feedback

Please use our forums if you wish to ask a tuning question, and please note we do not sell parts or services, we are just an online magazine.

Help us improve, leave a suggestion or tip

Your Constructive comments on this article





TorqueCars Forums

Join TorqueCars our sister site to read over 300,000 posts on modified and tuned cars and tips.

This will also allow full access to their car project features, gallery and some and exclusive member only areas.




Forum Hot topics

  • Looking for tuners in Ireland ...
    Sign up now


  • Can I supercharge my Vauxhall ...
    Sign up now


  • What engine oil do you prefer to use ...
    Sign up now
  • What do you think of this ...
    Sign up now
  • Having trouble with loss of power at 3000 RPM - 4000 RPM ...
    Sign up now
  • Forced induction. Should I supercharge or add a turbo to my ...
    Sign up now


Boost Controllers

Boost controllers and remaps
Read more...

10 Second Car

Building a 10 second car
Read more...

Wheel Painting

Painted alloy wheels – painting your wheels.
Read more...

Painting Calipers

Tips on brake caliper painting.
Read more...

Headlight Bulbs

Xenon, Argon, Tungsten and HID bulbs comparison
Read more...

Lpg Conversions

Benefits of conversion to LPG fuel in Cars
Read more...

MPG Calculator 2

MPG calculator UK miles per Gallon – calculate MPG
Read more...