Before you start

Remove unnecessary items from the boot That electric cool box might be useful on the odd bank holiday break, but do you really need it if you're popping to the supermarket. A 100kg load can increase fuel consumption by up to 5mpg.

Warm the car up on the move Car engines run 'rich' when they're cold; meaning they need more fuel, which is why they often smell of petrol in the mornings. By letting the car warm on your driveway, you're burning fuel without getting anywhere.

Keep the windows shut Manufacturers spend ages making their cars slip through the air as efficiently as possible. By driving with the windows or sunroof open, you're ruining the vehicles aerodynamics, meaning the engine has to work harder to push the car through the air. Remove roof racks It might be a bind, but take off your roof rack when you're not using it. Like driving with the windows open, it increases drag, which will mean you'll burn more fuel.

Drive when the road is empty It's easier said than done, but try to avoid congestion. Driving through stop-start traffic is one of the thirstiest times for your car.

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Maintenance

Keep your tyres pumped up Driving on under-inflated tyres means the engine has to work harder to turn them. Keep them pumped up in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations for the maximum miles per gallon. Don't be tempted to reduce the tyres resistance on the road further by over inflating them as this will reduce grip levels. Keep the car serviced Dirty oil, clogged sparkplugs and faulty thermostats can all reduce fuel consumption, so make sure you get your car serviced regularly. Convert the car to LPG If you're serious about cutting costs, an LPG conversion is a good place to start. You'll need to call in an expert who will install a gas tank in your boot and reconfigure the engine to accept the new fuel. LPG is slightly less efficient than unleaded or diesel, but it costs less and you'll be exempt from the London Congestion Charge. It’s a popular choice for drivers of classic American cars which have big engines. Fit cruise control Cruise control maintains a constant speed, reducing the gradual speeding up and slowing down effect caused by driving normally. Cruise control is fitted as standard on many cars, although aftermarket systems can also be installed.

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Driving style

Read the road ahead When traveling in traffic, keep an eye on what's happening four or five cars ahead. This will give you advance warning if you need to slow down, meaning you won't have to hit the brakes hard, and accelerate away again. Avoid heavy acceleration The most stress you can place on the engine is by accelerating heavily. Get the rev counter spinning round to the redline, and you'll chew through plenty of fuel. Move off gently and smoothly to your target speed and maintain it for maximum miles per gallon. Change gear early Modern engines – particularly diesels – don't need to be driven hard to get the best from them. Changing gear at low revs – around 2,000-3,000rpm makes the most of the engine's technology, allowing you to make progress without burning lots of fuel. Stay in the right gear Whatever speed you're travelling at, it's essential to stay in the right gear. Choose a gear to keep the engine speed between 2,000-3,000rpm – any higher and the engine will work harder to maintain the speed, and any lower it will bog down – and drink more fuel. Turn the air-con down The engine needs to work harder to power electrical features, and the air-conditioning and window demisters are just about the biggest power users in a car. Turn the demister off when you not using it, and keep the air-con low to improve your fuel consumption. Avoid built up areas with junctions and speed humps Stop/start traffic is a nightmare for the frugal motorist. It takes more power to get a car moving than it does to maintain a speed, so slowing down and speeding up in congested traffic or roads with speed humps are to be avoided.

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