Five ways for drivers to save on fuel as diesel hits record £2 per litre

The price of diesel has soared, climbing to a record £2 per litre this month.

The RAC motoring group said on Friday that the average price of diesel had reached 200.01p a litre, meaning that the cost of filling up an average family car is now £110, nearly £32 more than before the Iran war.

With no immediate relief in sight for fuel costs, understanding how to achieve optimal fuel economy from your vehicle has become crucial.

There are several straightforward methods to enhance your car's efficiency, making the running of a vehicle significantly more cost-effective.

We have compiled a comprehensive guide detailing practical steps you can take to ensure your car operates as fuel-efficiently as possible.

Give your car a service

A major service is essential for ensuring your vehicle's components run smoothly and efficiently, providing a clean bill of health.

Tasks like an oil and filter change, new spark plugs, a fresh pollen filter, and brake fluid replacement prolong its life and promote cleaner running.

If DIY isn't an option, a reputable garage can perform the necessary maintenance. Properly serviced, a car becomes more reliable and significantly less prone to breakdowns.

Don’t use the air conditioning unless you have to

Using a car’s air conditioning can increase fuel consumption as it can put strain on the engine.

Only use the air conditioning in hot temperatures to make it more comfortable when behind the wheel. Some cars feature a ‘driver only’ setting on their air conditioning systems, which is less energy-absorbing and won’t impact fuel economy too much.

Make sure all of your tyres are pumped up to the correct PSI reading

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Always make sure that your tyres are inflated to the correct PSI reading as under-inflated tyres can impact a car’s economy and safety.

Driving a car with under-inflated tyres uses more fuel as the engine is having to work harder to get the car up to speed.

Car manufacturers usually fit tyre pressure labels in the vehicle’s owner’s manual, in the fuel filler door or in the front door shuts.

Always inflate the tyres to the car’s correct PSI, with many petrol stations providing air machines, to make it easier for you to quickly top-up your tyres.

Don’t drive with the windows open

Driving with a car’s windows open can impact fuel economy as it creates more drag, meaning the engine has to work harder to get up to speed. It’s the same for having a sunroof open, as this also creates drag when driving.

During the warmer weather, it’s better to not open your windows and use the car’s fan system to cool you down.

Use the start-stop function in traffic and don’t let the engine idle

Lots of modern cars now come with a fuel-saving start-stop function which cuts the engine when a vehicle stops at a set of traffic lights.

Always use this function and don’t let the engine idle while you’re stationary as a running engine is constantly burning fuel and will have an impact on fuel economy and the environment.

Don’t carry unnecessary weight in the car

Is there anything in your car that you don’t need to carry? If there is, remove it as the heavier your car, the more fuel it will consume.

Have a good clear out of the car’s boot area, glovebox and even places like in the door bins as all the extra weight adds up.

If you travel a lot and use a roof box with roofbars, it’s a good idea to remove them when they’re not in use as this will also result in more drag, making the car’s engine have to work harder.

If you don’t cover many miles, it might be worth not filling your vehicle completely up with fuel and using half a tank, as the less fuel in your car will make it lighter, and therefore, more fuel-efficient.