Smart way to save money

As petrol prices continue to rise, Herefordshire Council is encouraging the county's motorists to take a Smart approach to driving which will cut the cost.

The council's Guide to Smart Driving offers a wealth of tips on how to make your fuel go further.

These include:

• Keep tyre pressure at the optimum level as flat tyres use more fuel and over-inflation causes uneven tyre wear and reduces grip.
• Service you car regularly. Get the engine tuned, the wheels aligned and the catalytic converter checked. Ninety per cent of badly polluting vehicles can be retuned at a garage within 15 minutes.
• Remove your roof rack or roof box when you're not using it as you could be wasting up to 40 per cent extra fuel.
• Empty your boot - the more weight you carry, the poorer the fuel efficiency.
• Use air conditioning sparingly. In a petrol vehicle it uses on average 15 per cent more fuel and in a diesel car it can increase consumption by 40 per cent. Switching on anything - rear screen heater, mobile phone charger - has a similar effect
• Drive smoothly as accelerating and braking increases fuel consumption by 20 per cent.
• Slow down. 40 to 55 mph is the most economical speed. At 70mph you use 30 per cent more fuel than at 50mph ad 20 per cent more fuel than at 60mph.
• When choosing a car, remember a smaller one will save money on fuel. Fuel consumption of similar size cars can vary by as much as 45 per cent. The Vehicle Certification Agency has comprehensive details of fuel consumption on http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/ or call 0117 951 5151.

To get a copy of the guide or for more information telephone Herefordshire Council's sustainable travel unit on 01432 260514.

Herefordshire Council can also offer other advice to reduce the costs of driving such as car sharing or cycling more and free adult cycle training can be arranged.