Motoring

Drive smoother and use less fuel

Speedometer A couple once succeeded in driving across the world and only using 1,300 litres of fuel, proving that true fuel economy is not a myth.

A journey that has taken them across 25 countries in four continents has seen John and Helen Taylor break the record for the most fuel-efficient circumnavigation of the world in a standard car.

They completed their 18,500 mile (30,000 km) drive using 24 tanks - 1,303 litres - of fuel, less than half of the what that they had expected to get through.

The Taylors may have had the advantage of using a new formula that Shell was testing for fuel economy, but there are still tips that can be taken from their incredible achievement.

How driving smoother can get you further

Drive smoothly and avoid accelerating or braking hard
Use higher gears - the higher the gear, the lower the engine speed
Leave behind excess weight; fuel efficiency can drop by between 1 and 2 per cent for every extra 45kg carried
Removing the roof rack can increase fuel economy by as much as 5 per cent
Avoid over-revving and change gears carefully when accelerating
Check air filters that keep impurities from damaging the engine
Be sparing in use of the air conditioner
Avoid higher speeds, which meet with more resistance
Keep tyres at the correct pressure

Source: The Times