Drivers are being urged to remove four crucial items from their cars as the Iran war continues to impact petrol and diesel costs. Motoring expert and general manager at National Scrap Car, Saul Turner, has shared his top tips for cutting fuel expenditure.
Remove Excess Weight
Saul Turner advises removing excess and unnecessary weight from your car, including roof racks, golf clubs, boot junk, and accumulated rubbish. By reducing weight, you can improve fuel efficiency because the vehicle requires less energy to move. For example, a roof rack can increase fuel consumption by up to 20% due to aerodynamic drag.
Expert Opinions
Damon Jowett, Director of Customer, Roadside & Network Services at Green Flag, explained: “Clearing out clutter from the boot and footwells can help reduce the weight the car is carrying and support more efficient driving. Roof boxes, bike racks, and carriers should also be removed when not in use, as they increase drag and fuel use at higher speeds.”
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has also warned that removing roof racks is crucial for those wanting to cut fuel use. He said: “First of all, it's got a roof rack on. If that's empty, get rid of it. Really inefficient. You're having to push that through the wind on a motorway as you drive. And you'll see problem in all walks of lightness.”
Fuel Price Update
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Petrol prices have risen by 0.6p in the last week to an average of 157.6p, their highest level since 20 April and less than 1p off the peak since the war in Iran began. The situation for drivers of diesel vehicles is a little better, with prices still falling - albeit very slowly - to 188p, around 3.5p off the highest price last month of 191.5p. The oil price has remained very volatile this week, but what we can be sure of is that only a sustained lower oil price, over a matter of weeks and not just days, will be enough to guarantee drivers pay less when they fill up.”
