THERE are simple steps you can follow if you’re hoping to get more miles from your fuel amid shortages and queues at petrol stations.
Driving carefully, emptying the boot and leaving the aircon off can all contribute to better fuel efficiency during the current crisis.
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Drivers have been urged not to stockpile as it is causing further shortages and closures.
There are ways to make the fuel you have in your car go further – so you can avoid the queues until the crisis is over.
According to the AA, a full tank will give a car between 300 to 400 miles of driving – which it said will last most drivers a fortnight “by which time the panic buying will be over”.
An AA spokesperson said: “There is no need to top up a tank for the sake of it and the key guidance is: Keep calm, drive as you would normally and fill up as you would normally.”
There are some tips you can follow if you want get the most out of the fuel you already have and to avoid queuing for petrol in the current crisis.
Car maintenance
Making sure your car is well maintained is one of the best ways to get more mileage for your money when you fill up.
According to the RAC, it’s key to keep on top of checking engine oil, brake fluid, screen wash and tyre pressure.
Tyre pressure is particularly important as if they are underinflated or have too much air in them your car may use more fuel.
Watch your acceleration
Driving too fast is the number one move that will guzzle fuel, so it’s important to make sure acceleration is gentle.
The RAC said the best tip is to drive in the highest possible gear for your car while keeping within the speed limit.
However, it can be hard to manage this as you can’t control speed limits or traffic on the road.
An AA spokesperson said “a lot of drivers are hostage to the traffic conditions and road speeds”.
They said: “While charging around at high speed on the open road is a guaranteed way to waste precious fuel, crawling along at slow speed on a fast road is dangerous.”
Keep momentum
The RAC’s advice for fuel efficiency “is to drive as smoothly as possible, gently using the steering, accelerator and brakes”.
Remain in gear when slowing down as that activates the fuel cut-off switch in a fuel injection engine, meaning hardly any fuel is used while braking.
The breakdown cover firm also recommended trying to anticipate what’s going to happen in front of you by looking well ahead.
“This way you’ll see the traffic lights on red meaning you can ease back on the accelerator or slow down naturally and potentially keep moving as opposed to coming to a stop,” it said.
You should also accelerate a little when you spot a hill coming and ease off before you reach it, helping you up the include without extra fuel use.
Check your roof and boot
Leaving roof bars or a roof box on your car will create wind resistance, meaning your car will use more fuel.
You should also empty out your boot, as extra weight can cause you to waste petrol.
Aircon and heating can use fuel
Air conditioning and heating uses engine power and fuel consumption.
Wrap up warm or wear easily removeable layers so you can adapt your outfit for the temperature in your car without wasting fuel.
Combine journeys
Rather than using your car for several short drives in one day, you could consider combining errands and just doing one round trip.
This is because your engine will be the most efficient when it’s warm, but repeatedly starting from cold will up your fuel use.
Incredible footage of mile-long queue for petrol station in South London as cars block junction and snake around block
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