Road RankYou do not need a new car to spend less on fuel. How you drive and look after your car makes a real difference. These habits are free, and most of them also make driving calmer and safer.
1. Accelerate gently
Hard acceleration burns fuel to gain speed you often lose again at the next light. Build speed smoothly. Road Rank flags quick acceleration in every drive, so you can see where you do it most. See how to reduce quick acceleration.
2. Look ahead and coast
If the light ahead is red, lift off early and let the car roll. Many modern cars use little or no fuel when coasting in gear. Every hard stop throws away energy you paid for.
3. Keep a steady speed
Speeding up and slowing down over and over uses more fuel than a constant speed. On open roads, cruise control can help.
4. Do not drive faster than you need to
Fuel use climbs at higher speeds because air resistance grows quickly. Driving a little slower on the highway is one of the easiest savings there is.
5. Change up a gear earlier
In a manual car, changing up sooner keeps engine revs lower. Many cars show a gear-change indicator to help.
6. Check tyre pressure monthly
Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and wear out faster. Use the pressures listed in your handbook or on the door frame, and check when the tyres are cold.
7. Remove extra weight
Clear out heavy things you do not need to carry every day. Extra weight costs fuel every time you accelerate.
8. Take off roof racks and boxes
Roof boxes and bike racks add drag. Remove them when they are not in use.
9. Do not idle for long
If you will be stopped for more than a short while and it is safe, turning the engine off saves fuel. Many cars do this automatically with stop-start.
10. Combine short trips
A cold engine uses more fuel. Combining errands into one trip, when the engine is warm, is more efficient than several short drives.
Measure the difference
Add your vehicle in Road Rank to see an estimated fuel cost for each drive. Pick a route you drive often, try a week of smoother driving, and compare. You can read more about the estimate in how to estimate fuel cost per drive.