Better Driving All Year Round

Here in the UK we are by now well into Summer driving mode. The weather is nice (sometimes), it’s warmer and the nights are shorter and, boy, are we glad of it. This relaxing thought, nice though it is, is not however an excuse for complacent driving.

Further, driving costs are rising, especially so at the pumps. Electric vehicle (EV) drivers are also beginning to experience government taxation on the roads, so, to keep on motoring, how about we try improving our driving in small ways to save money and be safer?

Slow Down

Yes, it’s annoying isn’t it, the nanny state, but motorists these days need to save on expenses what with everything else being so costly so just don’t speed; our roads aren’t made for it. There are more rules, regulations and cameras than ever so it just isn’t worth it. Go to a track day at a racing circuit if you want to get the wind in your sails. Speeding in 2026 is bad for a lot reasons, but going too fast will also use extra fuel and that’s the crucial point. Maintain sensible speeds for the road conditions and consider using cruise control, where fitted, when on a motorway or similar road. It’s just common sense.

Smooth Operator

Smooth driving is key to being a more environmentally and pocket-friendly motorist. Examples of smooth driving include less heavy braking and less loony acceleration, both of which mean drivers use less fuel, which is better for both your pocket and the environment. Remember to change gear in good time too, there’s no need to max out the revs all the time. Shifting manually around 2000rpm under normal road conditions is best practice. A light foot will allow your automatic to shift sensibly too.

The heavier a car is, and EV’s are heavy, the more fuel / electricity it will burn. Now, although modern cars have many lifestyle advantages, your beloved motor is not an additional shed, so don’t fill the boot with stuff you don’t need. Make sure to remove roof boxes or the bike rack when not in use too, as they add drag and thus consume more energy.

Good Maintenance

Using a car that is well maintained means lower running costs in the long run. Your car’s handbook gives you the service intervals and of course remember that you don’t have to go to main dealers when under warranty any more. Your local independent, well-regarded car servicing garage will do a great job and doubtless cost less. Although modern cars are complex and hard to service (unless you really know what you’re doing), it’s best to let trained professional technicians do the work; but there are things you can do to help keep your car in smooth running order:

Make sure your tyres aren’t underinflated, as this is dangerous for handling and means you’ll definitely use more fuel. Check your tyre pressures and overall condition (heavy wear, bulges, cuts etc) every week; it only takes a couple of minutes. A good quality tyre pressure gauge and pump (good to 0.5psi) will help. If in doubt, ask you local professional car servicing garage to check for you.

It’s important to run car air-conditioning very regularly but you don’t need it on all the time. Reduce your use as having it pump out hot or cold air all the time also increases your fuel consumption, which is bad for your budget. Where possible open windows rather than putting the artificial climate control on. When driving at speed, however, the air con can be more efficient due to the air resistance created by opening a window.

Remember to have the air-con regularly serviced too for optimum efficiency, maybe as part of your annual car service. Keep on top of maintenance, because making sure your car is running efficiently can have a real impact on the emissions from the tail end. Choosing a professional service centre that is also a MOT Testing Station keeps all the maintenance work under one roof and let’s a client / owner relationship develop, so you know who to trust.

Don’t Be Idle

Don’t idle your engine. Switch off your car when stationary for more than a few moments, such as while parked or in a traffic queue. There’s no point burning fuel when it’s not needed and it also helps to improve local air quality. Stop/Start is now a feature of most cars today. Also, there is no point in Winter switching the car on, idling outside, for some time to ‘warm it up’. It isn’t necessary and can be bad for the engine while the oil is sluggish. The best way to warm up a car is to get in and drive it. Cold engines emit more emissions than warm ones.

Plan ahead. The Internet has a lot of faults and certainly AI car care tips cannot be trusted but it does provide easy access to up-to-the-minute travel information. Plan out your route before you travel, especially long distances, to see if there might be any traffic issues or road works delay which could add extra time to your journey: Where possible avoid travelling at busy times. Don’t stay in too low a gear. Move through the gears as quickly as possible, as higher gears offer more economical fuel consumption. Shifting up at around 2000 rpm is ideal. A steady throttle will let an automatic shift at the optimum moment and making the most of good regeneration practices on your EV will help increase the range between charges. Car sharing, where possible, is a good idea although, to be fair, many people don’t like the idea of sharing with strangers or barely-known co-workers who may have some unsavoury habits; but if you can, do.

So there you have it: Smooth calm driving, being easy on the accelerator and ensuring good regular car maintenance are the answers that will go some way to mitigate the costs of modern motoring.