Drivers have been urged to ditch two bad habits behind the wheel that could cost them a fortune in additional petrol and diesel. Whilst experts have highlighted that the cost of fuel may plummet over the Easter holidays as global oil prices continue to fall, many motorists are still looking for simple ways to cut their vehicle's running costs. Now John Wilmot, CEO of LeaseLoco.com, noted that one way owners of older vehicles can save money is by frequently restarting their vehicle's engine.
He said: "Some common bad habits that cause drivers to waste more fuel than they realise include unnecessary engine revs, harsh acceleration, and idling in traffic with the engine running. If you have an older car you’ll want to avoid frequently restarting your engine in brief stops. Those with new models, however, should definitely consider making the most of their stop-start systems to help reduce fuel consumption."
Whilst almost all new petrol and diesel models now come with start-stop technology, which cuts out the engine when the vehicle is stationary to conserve fuel, the practice could do more harm than good for owners of older cars.
This is because starting the engine on older models often consumes more fuel than letting it idle until the driver is able to move away again. The process can also result in the battery getting worn out - potentially resulting in the driver being stranded in the middle of the road.
As a result, it is best for drivers to plan their routes ahead of schedule in order to complete as many tasks as possible in one journey, which could also help to reduce their overall mileage and result in further fuel savings.
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LeaseLoco.com also suggested that motorists looking to improve their vehicle's fuel economy should always accelerate and brake with care.
Whilst drivers may like to experience the thrill of lightning-fast acceleration from their car, leaving the engine to rev at a particularly high rate consumes significantly more fuel than normal.
Under most driving conditions, it is generally advisable that motorists shift up a gear once the engine reaches 2,500rpm or, if a driver owns an automatic vehicle, accelerate slowly to give the transmission more time to change.