Now the colder months are in full swing, keeping your vehicle running efficiently becomes even more important. Rising costs and increased usage during winter can quickly add up, meaning you need to find ways to optimise your fuel consumption. Whether you’re the business owner that needs to encourage your fleet or a driver that wants to find out how to make fuel go further, try our tips.
The impact of winter on fuel efficiency
Winter conditions make it tricky to keep your fuel efficiency at its best. Why? Colder temperatures can cause engines to perform less well while tyres lose pressure and vehicle systems like heating need to consume more energy. Additionally, idling to warm up your car and driving through snow or ice can increase the amount of petrol or diesel your car needs. Luckily, understanding these factors is the first step toward mitigating their effects.
Practical tips to make your fuel go further
- Warm up slowly
Many people believe that warming up their vehicle by idling is a necessary part of winter driving. Some even use it as a way to de-ice the windscreen without freezing your fingers. But this habit wastes fuel. Modern engines don’t need idling to warm up. In fact, running the motor while stationary on a public road is illegal according to the 1988 Road Traffic Act. Instead of burning unnecessary fuel, start driving gently, giving your vehicle time to heat up naturally.
- Drive smoothly
Sudden accelerations and harsh braking tend to burn fuel faster, especially on icy roads where traction is reduced. By maintaining a steady speed and using cruise control when safe to do so, you can improve your fuel efficiency. Remember to anticipate traffic flow to avoid unnecessary stops and starts.
- Check your tyre pressure
Cold weather causes tyre pressure to drop by as much as 1-2 psi. This happens when the temperature outside decreases making the air inside the tyre contract. It reduces your grip on icy roads and makes it harder to drive efficiency. To combat it, check your tyre pressure regularly and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended levels to ensure optimal performance and petrol savings at the pump.
- Lighten the load
Extra weight in your vehicle increases fuel consumption. The heavier it is, the more fuel it needs to guzzle to power it forward. That’s why you should take unnecessary items out of the boot, especially heavy ones. While it’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit during winter, there’s no need to carry excess baggage for everyday trips.
- Plan ahead
Too many short trips can quickly make your fuel tank plummet. This is because popping out quickly or driving about town comes with more stops and starts. Plus starting your car repeatedly after it has cooled uses more fuel than keeping it running smoothly on a long drive. Instead of making short journeys, combine errands into a single trip and plan your route to avoid heavy traffic to save fuel too.
- Keep the tank full
Did you know driving with a near-empty tank can be risky in winter? Not only does it make it more likely you’ll run out of fuel in bad weather but condensation can also form in the tank and freeze, potentially damaging the fuel system. To stay safe and avoid breakdowns, try to keep your tank at least half-full.
Boost the benefits with fuelGenie
Maximise your money
When you use a fuelGenie fuel card, your drivers are restricted to low-cost supermarket fuel at Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys. Here, the pump prices are typically 3p per litre cheaper than the national average*. This helps you keep costs down and you can control extra spending on oil, AdBlue or the car wash. fuelGenie+, with added Shell locations, is still a great value option for just 50p per month per card.
Expand your network
With fuelGenie or fuelGenie+, you gain access to a network of up to 2,200 fuel stations. So whether you’re in a city or a rural area, you’re never far away from a participating location. And with the petrol station finder on the app, it’s even easier to figure out where to refuel on your winter travel routes.
Simplify your admin
Tracking expenses can be tricky. Especially when you’re getting things in order after the hectic holidays. Luckily, fuelGenie simplifies the process with 24/7 account management tools. Fuel payments from across your fleet are stored electronically and converted into automatic HMRC-approved invoices. This helps you keep your records organised so you can keep track of your business spending.
Get fuel efficient today
Winter brings challenges to fuel efficiency but with the right strategies and tools, you can make every gallon count. One easy way is by applying for fuelGenie. All you have to do is choose your card option – whether you’re looking for a free simple solution or a few added extras. Get your personal and business details at the ready as the online process takes just a few minutes…
