Car Maintenance Tips for Summer to Maximise Winter Fuel Efficiency

In summer, winter may feel like a distant prospect. But for your car, this is the best time to prepare it for the colder months.

Could fuel be expensive in winter 23/24?

Though this winter’s energy prices may fall gradually this winter and energy price caps are falling, there is still reason to be cautious. Though prices are now lower for energy suppliers, they rarely pass on these low prices to customers, as the market is volatile and they feel they need to cover the costs of the risks.

Fuel prices are out of your control, but there are other things you can do to keep your car-related costs lower this winter and conserve the petrol you buy.

Top Fuel Efficiency Tips

• Keep your car’s tyre pressures up to scratch. This is a quick job that you should do once per month, not simply waiting until the warning light shows on your dashboard. It can be dangerous not to, leading to sluggish steering and perhaps even a tyre that blows out.

It’s also in the best interests of your fuel efficiency to keep your tyres inflated at the pressures indicated in your owner’s manual. The more underinflated your tyres are, the more fuel you are likely to waste.

• Buy new car tyres online  and get them fitted by a garage if needed. If your tyres are over 5 years old, monitor them closely to ensure they are still doing the coin. If you see any visible signs of damage, get them checked immediately. You can also use a tread depth gauge or a 20p coin to make sure the tread depth is safe and legal.
• It’s a safety precaution as well as a way to save fuel. Cars with worn-out tyres have to work harder, using more petrol!
• Stick to the speed limit. Driving faster is a quick way to burn the money you spend on fuel. It’s not good to drive too slow either, as this can result in you spending too much time in lower gears with high revs. Many sources suggest that the ideal speed for fuel efficiency is 45-55mph.
• Save AC for extreme weather. Try and dress for the outdoor temperatures you’re expecting when you hop into your car for a drive. That way, you’re less likely to feel the need to use the AC unless conditions are noticeably hot or cold.
• Lose any excess weight in your car. Don’t carry heavy items in the car unless you specifically need them for your trip. If you have a roof rack, take it off when you’re not using it. When you do use it, bear in mind that the more you fill it, the more you will have to fill your petrol tank as well!

Make sure your tyres are in good condition before the wintery road conditions arrive and start adopting new petrol-saving habits now! You’ll be in a much better position to save money when the seasons change