Cash point

The average Brit spends £1,076 a year on fuel for their car*, but there are some simple ways to cut that cost considerably. We asked money expert Abigail Yearley for her top tips

DRIVE SENSIBLY

“The less accelerating and braking you do, the less fuel you use,” says Abigail Yearley, money expert at Topcashback. co.uk. Some experts claim smoother driving can save you up to £300 a year on fuel. Slowing down can also help, research has shown that driving at 70mph uses 9 per cent more fuel than driving at 60mph. Make sure you are in the right gear too, as straining the engine uses up more petrol.

TAKE CARE OF TYRES

“Ensuring your tyres are properly inflated can really improve your fuel consumption,” says Abigail. In fact, a drop in tyre pressure of just 0.4 bar, or six PSI, can boost fuel consumption by up to 20 per cent. Check your tyres at a petrol station every fortnight and inflate if necessary. Air for ten minutes – enough time to inflate all four – costs around 50p.

STAY STREAMLINED

“Wind resistance drives up your fuel consumption, so keeping your windows closed when driving at a high speed, and

A removing roof racks and boxes when they’re not needed, will result in wasting less petrol,” says Abigail. That said, at low

* speed, opening a window rather than turning on your air con, will save you fuel. Air con only becomes worth it at speeds of 60mph, where the drag on your car will cost you more in fuel than your air conditioning.

CLEAR OUT THE BOOT

“Keeping your car light in weight will help keep costs down, so don’t drive around with unnecessary clutter in your boot. Filling up your petrol tank will also put weight on the car, so keeping your tank half full will have a positive effect.”

KEEP UP WITH SERVICES

It’s important to get your car regularly serviced for safety, but it can also help your fuel consumption. “Making sure your car is in working order and ensuring you’re using the correct engine oil will maintain your engine’s efficiency,” Abigail explains.

USE A CASHBACK CARD

“One sure-fire way to save on petrol is to use a cashback credit card and get money back every time you fill up,” says Abigail. “Just make sure you pay your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest. If you don’t already have a cashback credit card, you can earn cashback by applying via Topcashback.co.uk. The site is currently offering £20 cashback on the AMEX Platinum Cashback card.”

SHOP AROUND

“Filling up wherever is convenient will usually cost you the most,” says Abigail. “Instead, find the lowest prices near you by entering your postcode at Petrolprices.com. Just remember to not drive too far in the search for cheap petrol – it could be a false economy as you use more fuel getting there!”