10 ways to drive down the cost of motoring

Woman driving a car: drive down the cost of motoring

Keep it smooth

Observe and look ahead when driving: if there's a queue, slow down gradually by letting up the accelerator. Avoid harsh acceleration and heavy braking - it reduces your chances of being in a collision and conserves fuel by up to 8p a mile, advises the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Slow down

Don't drive everywhere at full speed. A journey driven at 50mph uses, on average, 15% less fuel than the same journey at 70mph. Reduce your motorway speed from 80mph to 70mph and you'll save 4p a mile.

Choose the right gear

Using the right gear will save fuel, too, so don't get distracted by the radio or in-car chat - listen to the engine. A car travelling at 37mph in third gear uses 25% more fuel than it would at the same speed in fifth gear.

Feeling a little flat?

Researchers from Michelin estimate that under-inflated tyres are costing drivers in the UK more than £440 million a year in wasted fuel. Driving with two tyres deflated by 20% will generally lead to a 10% increase in fuel consumption. You can find the correct tyre pressure for your car in the handbook. Pump them up and you'll save a penny a mile - or around £170 a year.

Switch off the air-con

Air conditioning raises fuel consumption by up to 10%, so switch it off or use an ‘eco' setting if your car has one. By cutting usage by 50%, you will save £86.25 a year. However, we're not suggesting you don't use it at all, as if you don't it may develop leaks that will affect a car's resale value. And if it's a really hot day and you're on the motorway, air con is actually better for fuel consumption than opening windows.

Give it some TLC

Regular servicing can cut running costs - and you can catch problems while they only need small repairs, rather than delaying and the fault becoming more serious and costly. For instance, replacing an ageing cam belt could cost £150 or more. But if you ignore the signs of age and it breaks, it's likely to destroy the engine, which would cost thousands to replace.

Clear out clutter!

If your boot is home to a bag of golf clubs, leave them at home until needed and save £44.25 a year. For every 1% of the car's weight you add, your fuel consumption will rise by 1%. Remove everything - including the roof rack - then only put back what you need.

Teenage insurance angst

Learners and new drivers are in the highest crash-risk category, so insurance for them is very costly. But quotes do vary, so research thoroughly before committing. Check prices at www.youngmarmalade.co.uk or www.4youngdrivers.co.uk. Be warned: don't be tempted to avoid high premiums by insuring the car in your name and adding the teenager as a named driver, if he or she is really the main driver. This is called ‘fronting', it's fraudulent and could invalidate the insurance and result in a serious conviction.

Shop around for breakdown cover

Costs can go as low as £20 a year. Comparison sites such as www.money supermarket.co.uk allow you to specify the number of cars or people to be covered, and the features you do and don't want. While not as well known as the AA or RAC, GEM Motoring Assist (www.motoringassist.com) was voted top in a recent survey and, we think, has the best deals on breakdown policies for a whole household.

Save fuel, get fit

We all know this: it's the shortest trips you make that are, mile for mile, the costliest. In the first kilometre, because the oil hasn't reached the right temperature, wear on the engine is higher. So if you can walk, leave the car at home!