Cut Your Fuel Costs

Top Tips

We understand how quality car parts and regular vehicle maintenance can help improve fuel efficiency and with the cost of fuel hitting record highs we have compiled top tips to help your tank last longer.

Pump up your tyres

Under-inflated tyres can significantly reduce a vehicle's fuel economy, by up to 5%. Under-inflated tyres can also increase tyre wear by up to 25%.

New tyres

Get the latest generation of low rolling resistance tyres. These can reduce your vehicle's fuel consumption by up to 5%. Budget tyres are often a false economy, they may not last and may offer higher rolling resistance.

Noisy wheels

Worn out wheel bearings, seized brake calipers and shoes can be like driving with the brakes on. Increased friction can contribute significantly to a vehicle's fuel consumption, so if you're hearing strange noises coming from your wheels get them checked.

Check air conditioning

A half-gassed air conditioning system could raise fuel consumption by an additional 5%. Switching off the air con and opening the window can be a false economy, especially at higher speeds, as fuel consumption can increase by 10% to 20% as a result of the increased drag.

Oil

Clean oil reduces the wear caused by friction of moving engine parts, helping to reduce fuel consumption. You should change the oil in your vehicle to the manufacturers recommended service intervals.

Regular servicing

Failure to keep the car routinely serviced can add up to 15% to fuel costs. A clogged air filter alone can increase fuel usage by up to 10%

Lose weight

Every extra 50kg can increase your vehicle's petrol consumption by an extra 2%. Keep your golf clubs and other items littering your boot at home.

Streamline your car

Roof racks and bicycle carriers create extra wind resistance increasing fuel consumption by up to 10-20%.

Keep to the speed limit

Drive at 90mph on a motorway and spend £1.20 more on fuel every eight minutes compared to someone driving at 70mph. And it's illegal!

Use the right gear

Higher engine revs result in higher fuel consumption. A car cruising at 40mph can use up to 20% more fuel in fourth gear compared to sixth.

Drive smoothly

Hard acceleration causes higher fuel consumption, slow gradually and avoid high revs.

Avoid rough surfaces

Gravel and heavy dirt surfaces can increase your vehicle's fuel consumption by up to 30%. Where possible choose a route with smooth road surfaces, even if it is slightly longer.

All data within this page is based on calculations from a typical family car.

Enter your postcode or town in our Garage Finder (the red box to the top right) to find your nearest Unipart Car Care Centre for your car maintenance needs.