Feel-good driving tips
Drive smoother, go further
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Tip 1: Changing gears
Remember, gears are for going and brakes are for slowing. Better use of gears means less revving and fussing with unnecessary gear changes. Drivers will not only reduce fuel consumption, but also cut down wear and tear.
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Tip 2: Accelerate gently
The harder you push your engine, the more fuel is consumed. Accelerating gradually means less engine strain and less fuel used. Driving at constant, steady speeds and avoiding heavy traffic can save you fuel and reduce the impact of your journey – we all hate stop-start journeys!
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Tip 3: Drop your speed
Reducing your speed from 70mph to 60mph, when you’re driving on the motorway, can save you up to 10% in fuel3 – getting you to the same destination for less!
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Tip 4: Air Conditioning
The temptation to turn on the air conditioning on a warm day is almost irresistible. But reducing the use of air conditioning (and heating) means reducing fuel consumption. Try to use it only when you can't do without it.
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Tip 5: Reverse parking
Always try to reverse into a parking space so you can drive straight out. This is because manoeuvring while the engine is cold uses more fuel.
Help your vehicle work smarter
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Tip 6: Tyre Pressure
Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance which lowers your fuel economy and increases the rate at which your tyres wear. Keeping the air in your tyres topped up uses less fuel.
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Tip 7: Engine oil
Keeping your car topped up with the right engine oil doesn’t just protect your engine from damage, but also reduces your fuel consumption. Did you know that Mobil 1 ESP X2 0W-20 helps provide up to a 4% fuel efficiency improvement1, equivalent to reducing CO2 emissions associated with charging over 23,000 smartphones2.
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Tip 8: The Boot
Unused roof bars, bike racks and clutter in the boot all add extra weight to your car. Carrying 50kg of excess weight can increase your fuel consumption by up to 2%.4 Save fuel by making sure you’re not carrying around any weight you don’t need to be.
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Tip 9: Improving aerodynamics
The excess drag from leaving an unused roof box and rack on your car can cost you between 13% and 19% more in fuel according to the car you are driving. Save fuel and money by removing unused roof boxes and bike racks. 5
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Tip 10: Cleaning your engine
Fill up with a fuel that has cleaning power which can help improve fuel economy. Try our new Esso Supreme+ 99 which triple cleans and protects your engine to help give you more miles per tank
Make every journey count
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Tip 11: Route planner
The worst conditions for driving economically are when you’re in a rush, when you’re not exactly sure where you’re going, or when you’re having to change your plans on the go. Use a journey planner to help schedule your journey and help beat the rush.
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Tip 12: Combining journeys
If you have to do a series of short trips, use a journey planner to find the most efficient way to make them in one go.
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Tip 13: Refuelling
Rather than waiting until the red light comes on – when you may need to drive out of your way to fill up – call in at your next petrol station when you’re starting to run low.
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Tip 14: Sharing journeys
Sharing a journey with just one person halves the amount of fuel used – saving the drivers and passengers money (Liftshare members save over £1,000 a year 7 on average). Fewer cars on the road also means fewer emissions, less traffic and more parking spaces available – so it’s good news for everyone!
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Tip 15: Substitute a journey
Could some journeys be made without the car? Taking public transport or using an e-bike could help you beat the rush hour and get you to your destination quicker.
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Tip 16: Shorter journeys
Try not to use your car for shorter journeys like the school run. Even if it's just one day a week, you could start your day with a walk – with some quick win health benefits built in!
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1 Compared with Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30; Actual savings are dependent upon vehicle and engine type, outside temperature and barometric pressure, driving conditions and your current engine oil viscosity.
2 Assumes 11,507 miles/yr, 21.7 mpg fuel average, and 4% fuel economy improvement; using US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
3 Source The AA
4 Source KwikFit
5 Source Consumer Reports, 2020
6 Esso Supreme 25% Renewable Diesel has 15% lower life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than our regular diesel (1). Calculations indicate that every 50 litres of Esso Supreme 25% Renewable Diesel used would, on average emit 133.7 kg of GHG emissions (expressed in CO2 equivalents, or CO2e) over the total lifecycle of that product. This compares with 50 litres of Esso Synergy regular diesel (B7), which would emit 159.1kg CO2e over its total lifecycle.
7 Source Liftshare