Acceleration technique to save fuel and boost efficiency

Although average petrol prices are slowly declining, many motorists continue to risk shelling out more than necessary. Mat Watson is the chief content officer at CarWow, which boasts over seven million subscribers on its YouTube page. Mat, who also shares tips on Instagram with an audience of 749K followers, spoke to Express.co.uk to share some common driving mistakes which could be costing drivers.

While on the road, the way in which you pick up speed is a key factor in making the most of the fuel you have. Mat explained: “Once on the road, accelerate gently while keeping the revs low. If your car has a manual gearbox, change up through the gears as early as you can.

“Many cars have change-up lights on the dashboard that advise you what gear you should be in.” Experts from the RAC recommend being gentle with your “right foot” while also driving in the “highest gear possible within the speed limit”.

They said: “The best advice in urban areas is to change up through the gears as quickly as you can with the lowest revs possible, probably at around 2000rpm. Remember, the faster an engine spins, the more fuel it uses.”

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However, it isn’t just their own vehicle which drivers need to pay attention to when accelerating. “Anticipating what other vehicles are doing is also key, as this will lessen the amount you have to burn fuel needlessly by speeding up only to have to slow down again,” said Mat.

“Using cruise control can help save fuel by keeping you at a steady speed, while you could consider cruising at 65mph on the motorway to bring your fuel consumption down.”

Even when you’re not on the road, there are certain checks motorists can make to ensure their car is running as efficiently as possible.

“Saving fuel starts before the moment you even get into the car, as under-inflated tyres have an adverse effect on fuel economy,” explained the expert.

“Remove unnecessary items from the boot that will add to the car’s weight, and take off roof rails and boxes as soon as you have finished using them, as these create drag that the engine has to work to overcome.

“Keeping on top of servicing will ensure your engine is in efficient condition, which can help ensure economical running.”