What's the single most effective way to save fuel?

Smooth, anticipatory driving — gentle acceleration, reading the road ahead so you brake less, and keeping a steady speed. Hard acceleration and braking waste the most fuel, so easing off the throttle and looking further ahead makes the biggest single difference for most drivers.

Does tyre pressure really affect fuel economy?

Yes. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, so the engine works harder and burns more fuel — as well as wearing the tyres faster. Checking your pressures monthly (and before long trips) is one of the easiest free ways to improve economy.

Does air conditioning use more fuel?

A little, yes — running the air con adds load to the engine. At low speeds in town, switching it off and opening windows can save a small amount. At motorway speeds, though, open windows create so much drag that the air con is usually the more efficient choice. So it depends on your speed.

Do fuel-saving gadgets and additives work?

Generally no. 'Fuel-saving' magnets, chips and most additives have little or no proven benefit, and some can even harm your engine. The reliable savings come from how you drive and how well you maintain the car — not from a gadget.

Does carrying extra weight or a roof rack use more fuel?

Yes. Extra weight makes the engine work harder, and roof racks or boxes add significant aerodynamic drag — a roof box can noticeably worsen economy at speed. Take them off when you're not using them, and clear heavy clutter from the boot.

How to Save Fuel: 12 Proven Ways to Cut Your Running Costs in 2026

Pump prices may have stopped climbing, but they're still high — so getting more miles from every litre is money straight back in your pocket. The good news: most of the savings come from free changes to how you drive and maintain your car. Here are 12 that genuinely work, and a few popular ones that don't.

How you drive (the biggest savings)

Drive smoothly. Gentle acceleration and braking save the most fuel. Hard launches and late braking burn it.
Read the road ahead. Anticipate traffic and lift off early instead of braking hard — you keep momentum and use less fuel.
Keep a steady speed. Constant small speed changes waste fuel; on the motorway, cruise control on flat roads helps.
Ease off the motorway speed. Wind resistance rises sharply above 60–65mph. Dropping from 80 to 70mph can noticeably improve economy on a long trip.
Change up early. In a manual, shifting to a higher gear sooner keeps the revs down and sips less fuel.
Avoid unnecessary idling. If you'll be stopped for more than a minute or two, switching off saves fuel (modern stop-start does this for you).

How you maintain the car

Check your tyre pressures. Under-inflated tyres mean more rolling resistance and more fuel — a free, monthly five-minute win.
Keep up with servicing. A clogged air filter, old oil or worn spark plugs all hurt economy. A well-serviced engine runs more efficiently.
Lose the dead weight. Clear heavy clutter from the boot — the engine works harder to haul it around.
Remove roof racks and boxes when not in use. They add real aerodynamic drag; a roof box can dent economy on a long run.

Plan and compare

Combine trips. A cold engine uses far more fuel for the first few miles, so several short separate journeys cost more than one longer combined one.
Shop around for fuel. Prices vary between stations and supermarkets — a fuel-price app can point you to the cheapest nearby and save a few pence a litre every fill.

The myths that don't work

A quick reality check on popular "tips" that don't deliver:

Fuel-saving magnets, chips and most additives — little to no proven benefit, and some risk harming your engine.
Running on near-empty to "save weight" — the saving is negligible and you risk running dry and damaging the fuel pump.
Premium fuel in an ordinary car — for most everyday cars, standard fuel is fine; premium rarely pays for itself.

Know your real running costs

The biggest fuel saving of all is sometimes the car itself — a thirstier vehicle costs hundreds more a year than an efficient one. If you're weighing up a car, it's worth knowing its real-world costs before you commit. You can check a car's running costs and fuel figures free with the registration — handy when comparing two cars or deciding whether yours is worth keeping.

The bottom line

You don't need gadgets to use less fuel — you need a lighter right foot, properly inflated tyres, a serviced engine and a bit of planning. Stack those small habits together and the savings are real and ongoing, fill after fill.