A LITTLE-KNOWN hack could help drivers to save hundreds of pounds on fuel – and all you need is a 20p coin.
Checking your tyre pressure could help you to steer clear of a costly garage visit and make tyres last longer.
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But keeping them inflated can also to help you to save up to 10% more fuel.
Also, the law states that your tyre tread needs to be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the entire circumference, so it’s extra important that you check.
Check your car’s handbook or the sticker in the door jam for the correct pressure for your tyre.
Tyres do have their own built-in tread wear indicators, but this can also be checked by using a 20p coin.
If the outer band of the coin is visible when placing the coin in the groove between the treads, it means they’ve worn too low and the tyres need replacing.
You can use the air pump at a petrol station to get it to the right pressure.
Don’t worry about losing a little bit of air in your tyres – they lose air naturally, and it’s not something you can completely stop from happening.
However, it’s always handy to know when you need to top up, and this little hack means you can do it before it starts costing you extra in fuel.
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How can I cut fuel costs?
There are ways to save an extra 5p per litre if you sign up for major supermarket loyalty schemes.
Esso has partnered with Nectar for its loyalty scheme and you can get 5p off a litre when you swap 300 Nectar points.
Drivers with a BPme rewards card will get one point for every £1 they spend in-store or on a litre of regular fuel at a BP garage.
Motorists will get £1 off their fuel or shopping for every 200 points.
Texaco, Shell, Sainsbury’s and Tesco loyalty card holders can also get money off their bills.
You can also cut fuel costs by driving more efficiently. This can be achieved by:
- Accelerating gradually without over-revving
- Always driving in the highest possible gear
- Allowing your car to slow down naturally as your brake
There are also sites you can use to help you find the cheapest petrol prices near you, like PetrolPrices.com and Confused.com.
These allow you to search the prices of UK petrol stations. All you need to do is enter your postcode and tell it how far you want to travel (up to 20 miles).
It’s also so easy to forget about the clutter building up in your car – whether it’s tools, kids’ toys or general rubbish.
However, additional storage space can increase fuel costs by a whopping 12%.
So, don’t forget to do a car clearout every now and then.
And, if you’re driving at a slower speed, think about taking the roof rack off and switching off the air-con to save on running costs.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
