We all look for new ways to save money on our motoring. Whether that’s shopping for the best deal when purchasing a car, haggling insurance providers for the best quote or even scouting out cheaper fuel to save a few pounds on a full tank, there’s plenty of ways to save cash when running your motor.

What about when we’re behind the wheel, can we save more money then? Well, yes, actually. Being more efficient with your driving can conserve fuel and reduce load on your car’s components, meaning less need to dip into your bank account. We take a look at how you can be a more efficient driver.

Prepare your car before a journey

You can be a more efficient driver by carrying out simple checks and preparing your car before setting off on a journey.

Check your tyre pressures first, as under-inflated tyres can lead to more rolling resistance and ultimately a higher fuel consumption. If your car has a roof rack or box, and you don’t need it for a particular journey, removing it reduces drag allowing for brisker acceleration.

Planning your route on longer journeys can also save you time and fuel. Routes that consist of motorways and major A-roads often means you can stay at a constant speed for a good portion of a trip, resulting in better fuel economy. Most modern sat-nav systems have settings for eco-focused routes, too.

Gentle acceleration and braking

The easiest way to be a more efficient driver is to be gentle under acceleration and braking.

Sure, it can be tempting to gun the throttle when merging lanes or coming on to motorways, but that can quickly drain your tank if you do it consistently. Instead, change gear at lower RPMs and accelerate at a gentler pace to avoid heavy fuel consumption.

Earlier anticipation of traffic can also help you avoid late braking, allowing you to carry on momentum and avoid burning more fuel on otherwise unnecessary acceleration.

Turn off unused electronics

Switching off electronics you don’t need to use reduces battery consumption, which in turn puts less stress on the engine. Instead of using air-conditioning around town, consider opening a window to let in fresh air rather than use more juice — although at higher-speed driving, open windows create more drag and air-con is the more efficient option.

Switch off heated rear windows if you vision is clear too, and turn your headlights down in brighter conditions.

Stick to the speed limit

Sticking to the speed limit is not only law, but it’s also much more efficient too. Over longer distances, you would see a much lower MPG figure travelling at 80mph than you would 70mph. Those extra few miles covered could cost you a load more in fill-ups, so think wisely next you decide to push the limits.

Avoid driving when possible

Just popping to the shops down the road? Walk, or bike it. Short journeys cumulatively consume a lot of fuel, so for quick trips out, you’d save more money in the long run — as well as getting some exercise — by doing the journey on-foot.