We’re seeing fuel prices rise through the roof and it’s no secret that several other costs of living are also rising in the UK.
As a result, consumers are taking cost-cutting measures into their own hands, and one such measure to reduce fuel costs that is gaining traction is known as “hypermiling”.
What is hypermiling?
Hypermiling is the art of driving economically and exceeding vehicle manufacturers’ stated efficiency by modifying driving habits and techniques. In short, trying to get as much mileage out of your car on a single tank.
Here are some practical tips that can help save you save a few pounds on fuel costs and maximise fuel efficiency:
1. Keep an eye on fuel prices
By driving to a different location than your usual fuel filling station, you might end up paying less for your fuel. Driving around looking for cheaper fuel can become a false economy, but in some cases, it’s worthwhile to compare prices before filling up.
A great website is PetrolPrices.com to check prices, where you can input your postcode and how far you’re willing to travel for fuel and it’ll list the cheapest filling stations in your area.
2. Remove the unnecessary weight
When you have a boot full of things you don’t need, your car has to work harder to drive, resulting in it using more fuel. Remember to remove unnecessary items from the boot if you’re not going to need them on your journey. Similarly, roof racks, or anything else that adds weight, can be removed if they are not used regularly.
3. Cashback schemes and loyalty cards
Nowadays, there are a lot of gas stations and supermarkets that offer loyalty cards to encourage their customers to keep returning. The average Brit spends around £60 per month on fuel – that’s a lot of money that can be converted into points that can be redeemed for discounts as well as cashback. Keep an eye out for these and look into what schemes work best for you.
4. Check your tyres!
When you drive with tyres not inflated properly, you consume more fuel than you should. Refer to your user manual or look on the inside of your car door or fuel cap to determine the right pressure for your vehicle.
Tyre ratings can also make a difference to overall fuel efficiency in the long run. The first diagram in the tyre rating chart (below) refers to how much rolling resistance the tyre has when the wheels are turning. The best rating is an A grade and G, the worst. If you do not cover great distances, this shouldn’t greatly concern you, but if you do a lot of miles, then the difference in the efficiency of over 7% between A and G can mean a lot!
5. Check the news and plan your route
Keep in mind to check the local news or listen for the latest updates on the radio about road closures and traffic jams causing long queues. This will help plan your route better and potentially save fuel.
6. Combine short trips
Whenever possible, consider making one trip rather than several short trips. A warm engine is much more efficient than a cold one. Lots of cold starts will most likely use more fuel even if the total mileage is the same.
7. Air-con off
Switching off Air Conditioning can help decrease your fuel consumption by up to 8-10% in some cases.
8. Avoid turning right to save fuel (yes really!)
Finding the shortest and best possible route by using an app such as Waze, for example, is one way of optimising your journey. Another innovative method that UPS drivers use is avoiding right turns – they try and avoid turning through oncoming traffic at a junction. This cuts down on accidents, delays, and fuel waste by waiting for a gap in traffic where possible.
9. Look Ahead
A top tip from Guinness World Record holder Kevin Booker is to read the road ahead for traffic lights and roundabouts, so as to keep moving. If there’s a green light ahead at a reasonable distance, there’s a high probability it will be red by the time you get to it. Pacing is a vital part of getting there, so you reach the traffic light when it turns green.
10. Regular service and maintenance
Carrying out regular maintenance and servicing can help improve the efficiency of your vehicle and bring down fuel consumption. Even something as basic as having your oil changed as recommended for your vehicle can positively impact overall fuel economy. Many Hypermilers opt for a high grade fully synthetic oil to help maximise economy.
It’s worth noting that while these are some effective fuel efficiency strategies, it is important to be aware of other road users and not put yourself or others in danger to get a few more miles out of each gallon.
Car servicing can be booked with ClickMechanic within seconds! To place a booking, head to our website and a trusted mechanic can carry out a service at your choice of time and date.