How to cut your fuel costs when driving

With car tax rates and gas prices on the increase, the cost of running a car is higher than ever. Some tips may seem like they contradict each other, but we reckon you'll save money with these 100 easy ways to save money on your motoring.
1. Drive with your windows and sunroof closed – this will make your car more aerodynamic.
2. Remove any unnecessary items from your car, like toolkits in the boot or CDs in the glove box.
3. Remove your roof rack – it can increase fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent. If you don’t know how to do it get a professional to help.
4. Convert your engine to run on liquid petroleum gas (LPG), a fuel which costs less than unleaded and diesel. LPG costs 53 pence per litre on average and engine conversion rates range from £1,000 to £1,500*. Find out more on our LPG cars page.
5. Change gear at around 2,000rpm in a diesel car or around 2,500rpm in a petrol car to put less strain on your engine and use less fuel.
6. Avoid letting the engine warm up for five minutes before driving. It’s a big waste of fuel. Instead, drive gently for the first few minutes until the engine warms.
7. Move off gently and smoothly to your target speed and maintain it for maximum miles per gallon. Don’t accelerate harshly, as this uses a lot of fuel at once.
8. Check your tyre pressure regularly and fill to the recommended pressure, as poorly inflated tyres put more strain on your engine and burn more fuel.
9. Create your own fuel management system. Set yourself a weekly petrol limit and avoid short journeys where possible.
10. Avoid sorting out your mirrors, glove box or other action after starting your engine. Only switch on your engine when you're completely ready to drive.
11. Find your cheapest local petrol station with petrolprices.com. Avoid filling up on the motorway, as service stations can have higher petrol prices.

Follow these tips and you could cut your fuel costs in half. If it takes £80 to fill up your tank, you could save around half of