Regency Car Park | Swiss Cottage

1. Fill up at the supermarket

Fuel is easily the most expensive part of motoring – so why not start there? There’s a myth that supermarket fuel is somehow less efficient or bad for your engine. However, supermarket fuel conforms to the same standards (the British Standard) as branded fuels supplied by the major oil companies. Every engine is designed to work with supermarket fuel. For several decades engines have been fitted with systems that automatically prevent issues (like ‘knock’). Using a higher- grade fuel will provide a degree of fuel efficiency. Still, it may not be significant compared with other factors which affect fuel economy, most notably driver behaviour, vehicle load, tyre pressures and traffic and weather conditions. Make sure you fill up at forecourts away from the motorway as well if you can manage it. There are noticeable savings to be had if you’re prepared for just a few minutes of extra driving. Find out more about different fuel types and the best fuel for your car. RAC Fuel Watch provides the latest petrol and diesel prices in the UK.

2. Buy economical tyres

Yes, the type of tyre makes a big difference. While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest available, that can prove to be a mistake in the long run. Not only do such tyres not perform as well as more expensive tyres (tests show they often increase stopping distance and may have a negative effect on handling), but they may also hit your fuel economy and need replacing more regularly. Something that not many people know to look out for is the tyre’s EU tyre label. All tyres sold are fitted with one and include the fuel efficiency rating of the tyre. An ‘A’ rating means the tyre decreases the energy lost through the tyre (often referred to as ‘low rolling resistance’), while a G rating is the worst performing – resulting in increased CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Research conducted by Which? found that a good quality ‘eco’ or ‘energy saver’ tyre could improve fuel economy by around 2.5mpg compared with the worst tyre for rolling resistance. That could slash £50 off your yearly fuel bill, helping to offset the cost of buying good quality, premium brand tyres. You’ve probably noticed the so- called ‘premium’ fuels when filling up with petrol or diesel. The retailers claim that these fuels offer performance and economy advantages whilst cleaning and protecting your engine. Unless you’re driving a performance vehicle, you’re unlikely to see any improvements by using fuel with a higher octane (petrol) or cetane (diesel) rating. You will, however, pay up to 10p a litre more for the privilege. Research conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that drivers in the United States were wasting more than $2.1 billion by using premium-grade petrol and diesel in vehicles designed to run on standard fuels. If you’re still keen, our advice would be to experiment with two or three tanks of premium fuel. If you see a significant increase in the number of miles you can squeeze out of a tank, then it could be worthwhile in the long run. Knowing what fuel is best for your car is important when looking to cut costs. Stay up to date with the lowest local prices on RAC Fuel Watch. More than 90 percent of new cars are bought on finance, according to the latest Finance & Leasing Association statistics. Why such a big share? The benefits of leasing include fixed monthly repayments, no concerns about depreciation and the flexibility to switch to a new car at the end of the contract. For electric and hybrid cars, monthly repayments are comparable to their petrol and diesel counterparts; whereas if you were to buy outright, their costs are still quite different, so leasing remains a very popular option for drivers looking to go electric. Some leasing providers also give you the option to add on a service and maintenance package which is spread across the length of the contract. Maintenance packages can include all scheduled maintenance such as MOT, servicing, and tyre replacement. Breakdown and roadside assistance can also be included. All vital services which are often cheaper when bought in this way will increase your fuel consumption when switched on.

3. Don’t pay extra for premium fuel

You’ve probably noticed the so-called ‘premium’ fuels when filling up with petrol or diesel. The retailers claim that these fuels offer performance and economy advantages, whilst cleaning and protecting your engine. Unless you’re driving a performance vehicle, you’re unlikely to see any improvements by using fuel with a higher octane (petrol) or cetane (diesel) rating. You will, however, pay up to 10p a litre more for the privilege. Research conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that drivers in the United States were wasting more than $2.1 billion by using premium-grade petrol and diesel in vehicles designed to run on standard fuels. If you’re still keen, our advice would be to experiment with two or three tanks of premium fuel. If you see a significant increase in the number of miles you can squeeze out of a tank, then it could be worthwhile in the long run. Knowing what fuel is best for your car is important when looking to cut costs. Stay up to date with the lowest local prices on RAC Fuel Watch.