I’m a car expert – how to save £190 at the petrol station

RISING petrol prices have been hitting drivers pockets’ hard, leaving them looking for ways to keep costs down.

Despite wholesale prices dropping, many retailers are yet to lower their pump prices.

This means drivers still haven’t seen a change in the cost of filling their tank.

But James Barker, a motoring expert from , said it is possible to save money while fuel costs remain high.

He says drivers could save £190.12 over six months by using these four tips to save on their fuel consumption.

Pump it up

Underinflated tyres can cause a vehicle to use up to 10% more fuel, according to James.

He says that driving with underinflated tyres lowers your fuel efficiency and could be costing you an addition £7.50 a month.

What your tyre pressure should be depends on your car and tyre.

Most cars have a sticker on their bodywork that tells you the correct pressure.

If you can’t find it, you could always check the owner’s handbook.

Shift the pounds

It’s so easy to forget about those heavy tools or old kid’s toys you’ve been storing in your boot.

But did you know that keeping extra stuff in your car could be costing you at the pump?

James says using the car book as an additional storage space can increase fuel costs by a whopping 12%.

He added: “It pays to spring clean your car as removing heavy items leads to the vehicle becoming fuel efficient.

“Driving with an empty roof rack and unnecessary heavy items in the cars storage spaces can result in spending an extra £7.62.”

Over six months, clearing out your car could save you £60.96.

Why not think about taking any unwanted items to a car boot, or selling them on eBay, to make a little extra cash.

Find an alternative

Around one in five car journeys in the UK are unnecessary, according to James.

James says: “The majority of these are under half a mile – a walkable distance for many that choose to drive.”

The average car uses 32p of fuel per mile, meaning one unnecessary journey a week will cost £7.36 over six months.

While it isn’t always possible, you could consider walking short distances or using public transport instead.

Earlier this month it was announced that a £2 price cap on local and regional bus journeys is set to be introduced.

The price cut aims to level bus fares around the country, after services around England were slammed for their high prices.

Air con, and on, and on

The scorching temperatures earlier this week no doubt had you reaching for your car’s air con button.

Depending on how fast you’re driving, air con can increase fuel consumption by 10%.

But don’t roll your windows down just yet, as according to James, depending on your speed, having them open may cost you even more.

James said: “Driving with your air conditioning on at a low speed can inflict stress on the car’s engine, leading to extreme fuel consumption.

“Travelling at speeds of up to 60mph, it’s best to open the vehicles windows.

“Anything above 60mph, its cost effective to use your ait conditioning.”

If it’s a hot day, open the windows and cool the car down before you set off on your journey.

James added: “You should also be careful not to idlily leave your air con on, as this can cost up to £7.50 a month.”

The Sun recently revealed the nightmare heatwave appliances you must switch off to save on energy bills.

Where can I find the cheapest fuel prices?

It’s always worth a look at comparing prices, and heading to the cheapest competitor to make a saving.

The only problem when it comes to fuel, is that you need enough of it in the first place to travel further afield for the best costs.

It just adds to the pressure households are already facing from rising energy bills and the increased cost of living that is also pushing up the price of food and travel.

Small local forecourts are currently giving drivers a better deal than the big boys.

Fleet News and Allstar lets you to  so you can see how your region compares to the UK average.

The app and website lets you check prices from more than 8,000 forecourts near you and using data provided by the public.

Comparison website  also has a petrol prices checker that lets registered users find petrol prices within a five, 10 or 25mile radius.