Originally published 9 April 2024. Substantially reviewed on 3 November 2026.
Information checked: 3 November 2026.
Saving petrol starts with the journeys you make and how you drive, rather than a gadget or a promise of a fixed percentage saving. Your car, traffic, weather and route all affect consumption. These ten steps can help UK drivers use less fuel while keeping safety first.
1. Accelerate smoothly and look ahead
Leave a safe following distance and anticipate traffic lights, junctions and queues. Gentle acceleration and timely braking usually waste less energy than repeatedly speeding up and slowing down. Never sacrifice a safe gap or delay necessary braking to save fuel.
2. Slow down in gear
Ease off the accelerator early when it is safe, but keep control of the vehicle. Coasting in neutral or with the clutch held down removes engine braking and can reduce control. The Highway Code’s rules on driving technique explain why coasting is discouraged. Never switch off the engine while moving.
3. Choose a suitable speed
There is no single most economical speed for every car. Higher speeds generally increase aerodynamic resistance, but driving conditions come first: the speed limit is a maximum, not a target. Avoid unnecessary bursts of acceleration and use a gear appropriate to the road and engine, without making it labour.
4. Check tyre pressures
Use the pressures specified by the vehicle manufacturer for your tyres and load, checking them as instructed in the handbook. Do not overinflate tyres to chase a saving. Check tread and condition too; replacing unsafe tyres takes priority over fuel economy. The RAC’s fuel-saving guide also highlights maintenance and correct tyre pressures.
5. Keep servicing up to date
Follow the service schedule and investigate warning lights or a sudden change in fuel consumption. Use the specified oil and replacement parts. A persistent fault needs diagnosis rather than a fuel additive bought on the strength of an advertising claim.
6. Remove unnecessary loads
Clear out equipment you no longer need to carry. Remove roof boxes and roof racks when they are not needed, following their fitting instructions. Keep essential safety equipment and anything required for the journey. Secure luggage properly and stay within the car’s load limits.
7. Use the right fuel
Check the handbook and filler cap for the required fuel grade and compatibility. A more expensive premium fuel is not automatically the cheapest choice per mile, and some engines require a particular grade. Do not use an unsuitable fuel or unapproved mixture to cut the bill.
8. Compare prices without making a costly detour
Compare nearby stations before setting off, using current prices rather than an old national average. For example, a 5p-per-litre difference saves £2 on a 40-litre fill. A long detour can consume that saving in fuel and time. Set up navigation while parked; do not handle a phone to compare prices while driving.
9. Plan journeys and avoid unnecessary idling
Combine errands where practical and check the route before leaving. Walking, cycling, public transport or sharing a journey may remove a car trip altogether. Follow the Highway Code on idling when stationary and use the vehicle’s stop-start system as intended. Keep demisting, visibility and passenger safety ahead of any saving.
10. Track the cost per mile
Record fuel bought and distance travelled over several comparable weeks. A dashboard estimate is useful, but a single unusually easy journey does not prove a lasting improvement. Compare similar routes and loads, and include maintenance costs when judging whether a change is worthwhile.
Start with correct tyre pressures, smoother driving and fewer unnecessary journeys. Small changes are easier to maintain than rigid targets that encourage unsafe driving. No fuel-saving tip should override the Highway Code, the vehicle handbook or conditions on the road.