How to save money on fuel

According to figures from the Office of National Statistics, transport accounts for 13p in every pound that an average household spends each week. The price of petrol has risen by more than 75 per cent since 2002 with an average litre now costing around 131p. Diesel is even more expensive, negating some of the savings you make with a more efficient diesel engine. With the cost of fuel continuing to put financial pressure on many households, getting every last mile out of your tank is vital. So, we\'ve put together our top five tips for saving money on fuel. Keep reading to find out more.

One of the easiest ways to save money on your fuel costs is to shop around for petrol and diesel. For example, supermarkets frequently offer the cheapest fuel prices. And, if there is a supermarket in your local area, it can also have the effect of pushing down fuel prices at other local filling stations. Of course, it is false economy to drive around looking for cheap fuel as any savings you make at the pump will usually be negated by the fuel that you use in your search. Instead, you can shop around in advance by researching your local fuel prices using a site such as www.petrolprices.com.

If your car is heavy, it will use more fuel. So, as well as emptying your car of all unnecessary weight, one further way to lighten the load is not to fill your tank on every visit. Petrol and diesel itself is heavy and so filling up your car adds quite a weight. It can therefore pay to fill up more often and put less fuel in. However, don\'t let your tank become almost empty. If you look like you\'re about to run out of fuel you\'re likely to call into the nearest available filling station which may not be the cheapest.

The Daily Telegraph says that \'the best way to save fuel is to change your driving habits.\' For example, changing up gear earlier can help your fuel go further. The Energy Saving Trust recommends changing up before you reach 2,500 rpm in a petrol car and 2,000 rpm in a diesel. Avoiding harsh acceleration and deceleration will also save fuel as will keeping your speed down. The AA says that driving at 70mph uses up to 9 per cent more fuel than at 60mph. And, driving on a motorway at 80mph can use up to 25 per cent more fuel than if you were ticking to the 70mph limit.

Before you set off on a journey, there are steps you can take to make your car fuel efficient. You can:

Experts also advice that you turn your air conditioning off and open the windows when driving at lower speeds. At higher speeds the additional drag caused by open windows can make it more efficient to close them and use the air-con.

A recent AMi survey found that fuel economy is the second most important factor for drivers when choosing their new car. Finding a car that offers great fuel economy is now more important to drivers than design, interior features or the car\'s safety record. Many new cars offer significantly better miles per gallon than older cars. And, many petrol engines - such as the new Ford EcoBoost engine - offer fuel economy which is comparable to some diesel cars. So, when you choose your next new or used car, you can save money on fuel by finding a more efficient model.