New car deals are bringing ever more efficient motors to market and allowing families across the UK to save money on their motoring costs.
However, a new survey by Ford has shown that simple changes in and outside of the car can also have a great effect on fuel spend.
The manufacturer showed that four easily-applied fuel-saving tips could see drivers save over £800 every year and Ford believes the advice could come in useful as many families prepare for long drives ahead of May's two bank holidays.
Altogether, these tips could reduce the fuel spend on a long journey by as much as 33 per cent. They include removing the roof-top cargo box if it is not needed (as this reduces fuel consumption by 20 per cent), checking tyre pressure (four per cent) and taking excess weight from inside the car (two per cent). Drivers should also shop around before buying their fuel, as this can reduce spend by as much as seven per cent depending on where petrol is purchased from.
Driver behaviour can also have a big impact and Ford saw that 71 per cent of drivers admit to breaking speed limits, which is essentially wasting fuel, while 42 per cent of people could plan a more economical route.
Wulf-Peter Schmidt, Ford's European sustainability director, said: "We ensure that every Ford vehicle offers the greatest potential for cost-efficient motoring through developing innovations such as the small yet powerful 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine –
International Engine of the Year twice over.
"At the same time, there is also much the driver can do to save money on fuel – from adjusting driving style to reducing unnecessary load in the vehicle."
The survey quizzed more than 5,700 people across Europe and also found that 45 per cent of people increase their spending at the pumps by impulse-buying other items.
Posted by Fred Mason