We hope these tips will help with fuel economy but as with most things, for these to achieve 20% to 25% benefits, a long term view has to be taken and you have to be committed to consistently completing the suggestions. That’s the hard part. Most of these will be obvious but some will be worth thinking about. Tony Farndale. 1. Drive smoothly and generally slow down, keep to the speed limit – aggressive driving / engine acceleration can use as much as a third more fuel than less aggresive driving. Avoid accelerating or braking harshley and try to keep your steering as smooth as possible, even changes in direction use fuel. The faster you drive the more wind resistance you will encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will use just to maintain the speed. Driving just 5mph over the speed limit can affect fuel economy by up to 23%. 2. Use as higher gear as possible without labouring or stressing the engine unnecessarily – the higher gear you drive in the lower your engine speed (RPM), this can improve fuel economy, so change up a gear whenever you can, without labouring the engine and reduce the use of excessive engine braking by slowing down more progressivley. Leave a sensible distance between yourself and the car ahead to give you ample time to brake evenly. 3. Tune and service your vehicle regularly and follow the manufacturers schedule – a well-maintained engine / vehicle can improve fuel economy by up to 4% by itself, so change your oil and follow your car manufacturers recommendation on servicing. If you service the vehicle yourself, check the air filter. Air filters keep impurities from damaging your engine. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel economy by as much as 10% and will help protect your engine. 4. Keep your tyres at the right pressure, this will reduce tyre wear as an added benefit – correctly inflated tyres are safer and last longer. A tyre that is under inflated by just 1psi can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 3%. An under or over inflated tyre is also more susceptible to failing in service. 5. Avoid carrying excess weight – for every extra 100 lbs (45 kg) you carry your fuel efficiency can drop by 1-2%. So keep your boot or back seat clear of unnecessary items that just add weight to your vehicle. 6. Keep the windows closed – wind blowing through an open window will slow you down. To compensate, you may put your foot down harder, using more fuel.