Our members' slow motors aren't just used for racing. While your car's out on the mean city streets, there are plenty of things you can do to keep her in tip-top shape, while keeping your motoring costs down too.
Here's a nifty little tip. Did you know that the weather can affect the amount of petrol that you get for your money? When the outside temperature is hotter, the more vapour is produced when you pump your petrol, meaning less petrol gets into your tank. So filling up during the cooler early morning or late evening hours could mean better value for money.
Keeping your speed as constant as possible means better fuel efficiency, as well as a reduction in the stresses and strains placed on your vehicle and its moving parts. By using the following driving techniques, you'll be increasing the shelf life of your car, reducing the amount you spend on petrol, and reducing your CO2 emissions too!
Never over-rev – always accelerate gradually, as the harder you step on the pedal, the more fuel is used. You'll still reach your desired speed, just in a slower manner. A good rule of thumb is to stay within 3000 revs.
Gear management – over-the-top stick use is bad for your motor, as well as increasing the amount of petrol used by your engine. Try to drive in the highest gear possible without labouring your engine.
Braking – instead of stepping heavily on the brake pedal all the time, take things slow and allow your car to slow naturally as far as possible, using its own momentum. This way you'll have a smoother drive, as well as increasing your motor's fuel efficiency.
If you're off on a long haul trip or travelling to somewhere new and unfamiliar, you can avoid extra stresses and strains on your vehicle, as well as saving on petrol, by planning your route out beforehand. A GPS system can help, and there are even mobile phone apps that will help you to plot the shortest available route too. Listen out for traffic announcements so that you can stay on top of planned roadworks or hold-ups so that you can rearrange your route before you get stuck in the traffic jams.
Under-inflated and unevenly inflated tyres are not only dangerous but can heavily affect your fuel efficiency. Check your tyres on a weekly basis with a good quality gauge, filling your tyres to your manufacturer's recommended pressure level and you could be reducing your fuel consumption by as much as 5%.
You should try and keep your car load as light as possible. Don't store any unnecessary items in the boot of your car, on or under seats, or even in the glove compartment. Any increase in weight will negatively affect fuel efficiency and will mean extra work for your car.
Your best bet for keeping insurance costs down is to use the internet as
a search tool. When it comes to renewing your policy, shop around and consider
switching to a new provider as many insurers now offer discounts and incentives
to new policyholders. Insurers also tend to offer discounted rates to customers
signing up to car insurance policies online - we found Kwik Fit Insurance
offering online customers a discount of 20% (see their site for car
insurance quotes) - so using the internet can really work in your favour.