Martin Lewis explains how to save £31 on fuel as petrol and diesel crisis continues
Martin Lewis has explained how road users could reduce their fuel bills as UK petrol and diesel costs continue to soar. The MoneySavingExpert founder stressed that road users needed to make their cars as fuel-efficient as possible to help cut costs.
He said that motorists could cut up to 30% off their petrol and diesel bills by following a range of simple tips. He shared the information on his ITV Martin Lewis Money Show, before sharing the tips on his TikTok page back in March. The RAC estimates that the average cost of filling a tank of diesel is now £105.22, which means a 30% fuel-saving could slice £31.50 off average costs.
In his first tip, Mr Lewis urged road users to check the roof rack, telling motorists to always remove the storage tool if there is nothing inside it.
He explained: “[It’s] really inefficient. You’re having to push that through the wind on a motorway as you drive.”
Next, he urged road users to get rid of “junk in the trunk”, explaining that carrying extra weight in their car will cost. He stressed that for every 45 kilograms, road users could make their vehicles 1% less fuel-efficient.
Next, Martin stressed that incorrect tyre pressure can add between 3-4% to fuel bills when it isn’t at the right level.
Martin also explained that using the car’s air conditioning at slow speeds can be a problem, while opening windows at high speeds is also a concern and likely to use up fuel. Next, he suggested that how motorists drive was crucial in deciding how much fuel they were likely to burn.
Martin said: “Your accelerator is a money pump. When you are pressing it, you are spending the fuel that you have put into the car.”
“Your brake isn’t much better, it’s a money burner because when you’re braking, you are converting the energy stored in the car into heat and throwing it away. I’m not saying don’t accelerate or brake because that’s what driving is all about, but [it’s] your road positioning.”
Martin added: “It all sounds a bit silly but when they do studies, making your car more efficient and driving a better way can cut 10-30% off your petrol and diesel costs depending on where you stopped. It really is worth looking at, especially at the moment when prices are high.”
