Save 25% on your driving fuel bills

Simple maintenance and driving tips could save you a fortune on your fuel bills, while lowering your pollution levels and even contributing to safer driving.

All of the tips can be safely carried out by the most technophobic drivers, and should be carried out on a regular basis for best results:

• Check your tyre pressures every two weeks. Under-inflated tyres can cost you 8% more on fuel and under or over inflated tyres wear out faster too. According to the RAC up to 90% of vehicles on the road have tyres with incorrect pressures.

• Smooth and consistent driving can reduce fuel consumption by more than 10 per cent in urban areas. Good gear changing can save a driver as much as 20%.

• Loaded vehicles and leaving a roof rack on a vehicle can add as much as 30% to the fuel bill. Unload the vehicle and remove a roof rack when not required.

• Turn off the air conditioning and the heated rear window when they´re not needed to save around 10% at the pumps.

• Avoid excessive idling of your engine - it is often more economical to switch off the engine. Idling also adds to pollution so it will help both your pocket and the planet.

• Drive at the recommended speed. Every 5 miles per hour that you drive over 60mph can reduce your fuel economy by 10%.

• Fuel prices at the pumps can vary by as much as 15% - shop around.

• Available from Car Parts Direct, the ‘D.I.Y 30-minute Engine Service Kit’ includes an engine flush, oil filter, five litres of the top of the range fully synthetic performance engine oil, a Friction Film P.T.F.E performance engine additive and a high powered fuel injection cleaner. The kit can be ordered for £69 from www.carparts-direct.co.uk.