- Turn off your air conditioning if you have it
- Shut all your windows (to reduce drag)
So basically sweat like a pig whilst driving along in the summer! From what I gather, if you are driving around town and the like then turn off your air-con and open up your windows as for short trips this is the most economical.
If you are going on a long journey on Motorways etc. then you should close your windows and put on the air con ensuring that you are circulating the air inside the car.
- Reduce weight in your car by emptying your boot - do you really need all that stuff in your boot?
- Check your tyre pressure - underinflated tyres can severly effect your MPG
- If you have it, use cruise control
- If you don't, drive smoothly - don't accellerate or break too sharply.
- Change gears between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm for optimum fuel economy. Leave your car in gear at all times unless you come to a stop! Coasting down a hill actually uses petrol as you engine will be idleing which uses petrol, by keeping the clutch engaged the fuel will actually be routed back to the fuel tank instead - thus saving fuel!
- If your stuck in a traffic jam, turn off your engine if you are likely to be sitting there for more than 1 minute.
- Make sure your car is regularly serviced etc.
- Avoid short trips - walk to the shop that's just round the corner
So there you have it, there are my top 10 tips to help improve your fuel economy. I'm not a car expert, but what I have done is have a good look around the internet and the 10 that I have listed are the ones that make the most logical sense to me!
