How to save money on petrol for your Jubilee Bank Holiday getaway amid fears fuel prices could climb again

MOTORING experts have revealed some of their top tips to save a small fortune on fuel as fears grow petrol prices could be on the rise again.

Consumer champions at Which? have detailed a number of ways how drivers can get more bang for their buck when they fill up at petrol stations.

The money saving tips come as analysis by the motoring organisation AA revealed that wholesale prices of fuel rose by 5p a litre last week, with that price hike expected to be passed on to the forecourts in around two to three weeks.

This could mean motorists could be paying more as the long Platinum Jubilee bank holiday gets underway in early June.

With that in mind, here are some of the top tips recommended by Which?

Drive smoothly

Once you’ve got your car filled up, driving smoothly can help make sure you don’t have to go back and refuel again too soon.

Accelerate gently and smoothly, and avoid slamming on the brakes unnecessarily – this will have a major impact on your fuel consumption.

Which? also suggests skipping gears if you’re driving a manual – switching directly from second to fourth, for example, if it’s safe to do so.

Empty your boot

The more weight in your car, the more fuel it will use.

So if your boot is chock-full of golf clubs or there’s an unused bike rack on the roof, consider lightening the load.

Use a sat nav

They say all roads lead home, but if you take the scenic route, you’ll be using up much more fuel to get there.

Using sat nav or planning the old fashioned way with a road map will make sure you take the quickest – and most fuel efficient – route to where you’re going.

Modern sat navs can also flag traffic jams and road closures, to help you avoid any kinks in the plan.

Look after your car

Tyre pressure is a key thing to keep an eye on if you’re trying to make your fuel go further.

The car’s manual will tell you what pressure your tyres should be at, and it’s worth checking regularly.

While you’re at it, make sure you’ve got freshly topped up oil and clean filters in your engine to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.

We’ve looked up how to change your car’s oil and how often it should be done.

Consider an electric car

One way to avoid rising petrol prices is, of course, not to use any petrol in the first place.

That doesn’t mean you need to get your old push bike out.

If you’re considering a new car, Which? says it may be worth pricing up to see if an electric vehicle is worth your while.

Of course, you’ll also have to consider how you’re going to charge the car, which can be difficult if you don’t have a driveway. And there may be other costs to consider too.

While petrol pump prices look set to rise there is no need to stock pile supplies as was seen in March when prices rose to new highs but the AA has issued to warning to drivers to be ready for any increase.

Luke Bosdet, from the motoring group, said: “Drivers need to brace themselves for a jump in the cost of petrol.”

The news comes as Brits are suffering from the cost of living crisis as prices across the board continue to rise.

The Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking the Queen’s 70-year reign on the throne, will no doubt see millions of people getting out and about on the roads for trips and holidays.

The war in Ukraine pushed prices to rise in mid-March with fears of fuel shortages as Russia is the world’s third largest oil producer.

Motorists though were given a helping hand by Chancellor Rishi Sunak when he took 5p off a litre of fuel in his mini March budget.

Mr Bosdet said: “Supermarkets, because of their contracts, will take longer to pass on the increases and that is where drivers should be heading to keep their costs down.”

He added drivers should adjust their driving style if they want to further cut back on costs.

“Motorists can soften the impact of the pump price rises,’ he said, ‘by moderating their speeds and smoothing their driving by leaving more space between them and the car in front.

“Accelerating more gently can also save pounds.”