Go Ultra Low has worked with automotive experts and money-saving bloggers to compile a list of the top ways to save money on motoring.

1. 1010CLEAR OUT YOUR BOOT
Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief at Auto Express and Carbuyer, said: “Don’t use your car as
an extension of your garden shed – clear out unnecessary stuff from the boot and inside
the car. Superfluous items mean extra weight and, as far as a car’s economy is
concerned, weight is the enemy of efficiency.”
STAY PUMPED UP
Jen Walshaw, a mummy blogger at MumInTheMadHouse.com, said: “Someone told me a
couple of years ago that keeping tyres pumped up means you get many more miles to the
gallon – I gave it a go and it worked: we noticed the difference immediately. That would
definitely be my top tip.”
BE SENSITIVE
David Shaw-Stewart, a founding member of the Go Ultra Low Owners’ Club, said:
“Particularly with a plug-in hybrid car, it’s important to have a sensitive foot: keeping
smooth acceleration stops the petrol engine kicking in – using the electric motor more will
save you money.”
STAY COOL, BUT NOT TOO COOL
Peter Burgess, Director of Motoring Research, said: “The refrigeration part of your car’s
heating system – i.e. the air conditioning system – needs to take energy away from the
engine, which makes the economy worse. On the latest cars, it’s not so bad, but the older
the car, the more it impacts.”
CHARGE CHEAPLY
Paul Smith, a founding member of the Go Ultra Low Owners’ Club, said: “Some energy
companies have cheaper tariffs in the evenings and at weekends, so these are the best
times to charge your electric car.”
GO EASY
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “By far the biggest influence on
fuel consumption is you, the driver. Aggressive driving can increase the amount of fuel
burned by more than a third and it’s bad news for things like tyres and brakes too. Also
cars tend to be least fuel efficient at quite low or quite high speeds so the message must
be go easy with the right foot however your vehicle is powered.”
CHOOSE QUALITY
Honest John, of HonestJohn.co.uk, said: “If you’re driving a car with an internal
combustion engine, use high-quality petrol or diesel because the additives in it give extra
lubrication and cleaning to your engine. What’s more, the higher octane/cetane means the
engine develops more torque at low revs so you can change up earlier and benefit from
improved economy.”
PLAN AHEAD
Paul Barker, Editor of Business Car, said: “Journey planning is important to make sure you
are travelling on the cheapest route. Choose the ‘most efficient route’ in your satnav
system. If you’re in an EV, you can plan your charging along the route - almost every
motorway service station is now equipped with at least one rapid charger, many of which
are free to use.”
WIND IT UP
Daniel Bevis, freelance automotive journalist and blogger at SuckSqueezeBangBlow.co,
said: “Driving with your windows down increases aerodynamic drag, meaning that the
engine has to work harder to propel the car; the faster you’re driving, the more drag this is
creating. At motorway speeds, your engine can be over 20% less efficient with the
windows down – so roll them up and watch your mpg figure go up with them.”
FOOD, GLORIOUS (-LY INEXPENSIVE) FOOD
Ashleigh Swan said: “We’ve made the mistake many times of buying very expensive
lunches en route. Don’t do it! Far better, and cheaper – if you’re going on long family
journeys – to prepare any food you need in advance.”
MONEYSAVING
TOPTIPS
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