With the big day almost here, you may be preparing to make the journey to join family and friends to celebrate the festive season.
Christmas is the perfect time to get together with loved one, with long drives often standing in the way of that long awaited reunion. And with the cost of living causing concern and petrol prices remaining high, many will be looking to save where they can.
Peak traffic expected throughout the rest of the week, the roads are soon to be busier than ever as people drive home for Christmas. And as you may know, the more congested the roads are, the costlier it becomes to get from A to B. Fortunately, there are some things you can go before you set off and as well as tips to use throughout your journey to reduce costs at the pump.
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Here are some things you can do, accroding to automotive experts at Macklin Motors.
5 ways to save fuel when driving home for Christmas
1. Stick to the slow lane on motorways
Adhering to the speed limit not only keeps everyone safe on the road, but it will also help you save money on fuel.
While every car is different, most models see a significant decrease in fuel economy when driving at speeds above 50mph.
So, although you may think that driving as quickly as possible will help reduce the amount of fuel, it’s much more efficient to drive conservatively on roads.
2. Pump up tyres before long drives
Tyre pressure can significantly impact both the efficiency of a car and the lifespan of the tyres themselves. While estimates vary, it has been reported that under-inflated tyres can increase consumption of fuel by as much as 10 per cent.
Therefore, it’s a good habit for both your car and expenses to measure tyre pressure at least once a month.
3. Choose smoother journeys
When accelerating, the more frequently you press down on the pedal, the more fuel you will use.
For example, cruising at 50mph is the most economic way to drive, keeping a light touch on the acceleration pedal. However, if you’re stuck in stop-start traffic and constantly speeding up harshly, just to slow down, you’re burning through fuel unnecessarily.
So, always try to take your time when pushing down on the pedal. Not only will you save on fuel costs, but building speed gradually will make for a smoother, steadier journey for you and any passengers. Everyone, including your bank account, will be much happier.
4. Go easy on heating
The covert culprit of heavy consumption, the air conditioning system (also used for heating) can be a significant drain on fuel. In some cases, blasting the AC can add as much as 10 per cent to your fuel consumption.
Make sure to wrap up warm when travelling over Christmas, with plenty of layers you can wear or take off to adapt to your temperature. You should also check that the AC isn’t coming on automatically when you start the ignition, without you realising.
5. Prevent idling where possible
Engine idling is perhaps the biggest offender when it comes to wasted fuel consumption. This is when you sit in a stationary car with your engine running, typically in standstill traffic.
To avoid burning through as much fuel in your daily commute, turn off the car’s engine when it comes to a stop. Some car models even have a seamless stop/start system that automatically turns the vehicle’s engine off when it comes to a complete stop.
With the roads due to be extremely busy this week, it’s also worth using a GPS app with live traffic updates to plan a route with minimal disruption. The less you are sitting in a stationary car with the engine running, the better.
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