As you prepare to go on that long holiday drive or hit the highways to visit family and friends, there’s one or two thing you can do to keep your car’s petrol or diesel bills as low as possible.

Here are our tips:

Lose Some Weight

One of the easier ways to keep fuel down is to keep the weight down. A lighter car will definitely use less fuel, so take any unnecessary items out of the boot or pack less. And think about how much fuel you actually require and consider running your fuel tank less than full whenever possible.

Keep You Vehicle Well Maintained

Make sure that your car has had a good service in recent times before you go. The engine will run more efficiently and therefore at a lower cost. Check that your tyres are in good condition and inflated to the correct pressure.

Be Aerodynamic

It a universal truth that wind resistance increases fuel consumption. Keep windows closed when you can, especially at high speeds and remove roof racks and roof boxes when you’re not using them.

Drive for Fuel Savings

Driving just that little slower will help, as will keeping the engine revs down and reading the road ahead to anticipate potential hazards. Acceleration and braking are the times when you will burn more fuel, so try and drive as smoothly as possible. Even the Formula 1 drivers will coast into corners rather than brake hard to conserve their fuel. A little difficult if you’re negotiating speed bumps but not impossible.

Keep Your Cool

Air-conditioning will increase fuel consumption, especially when you’re driving at low speeds. Therefore, if you’re driving about town or meandering along a quiet country route, go the old-fashioned way and turn off the air-con and open the windows.

And perhaps finally, we could point out that the simplest way to save fuel is to drive less. So, consider walking, cycling or public transport for shorter journeys. After all, you are on holiday.