Petrol and diesel owners can save 25% on fuel by using tool found in every car

Petrol and diesel owners can save up to 25% fuel by pressing a lever or switch found in every vehicle in the UK. Specialists at Elite Garages stressed how drivers use their cars can play a vital role in how much fuel is used, with higher gears likely to be more efficient.

Higher gears put less strain on the engine and fuel use by lowering the overall RPM while maintaining vehicle speed. Higher gears also reduce the workload on the engine, taking the strain off the fuel tank and saving vital petrol and diesel. Motorists can often travel at the exact same speed even in a higher gear, meaning road users don’t need to lose time while making valuable savings. Road users can change gears by moving the gearstick lever usually found in the centre console, but some modern cars will have a flappy paddle switch fitted behind the steering wheel.

Experts at Elite Garages explained: “How you use your gears can have a significant effect on your car’s fuel efficiency. In general, the higher the gear, the lower the engine speed, which can lead to fuel savings.

“For instance, driving at 60mph in third gear will use up to 25 % more fuel than in fifth gear. So, it’s better to move up to a higher gear as soon as it’s safe and practical.”

Data from RAC Fuel Watch shows that Unleaded Petrol prices have slightly increased over the summer. Average fees now stand at 135.03p per litre, up from 132.08 pence per litre earlier in June.

Diesel fees have dramatically increased over the past few months, with average bills now recorded at 142.92p per litre.

This was a staggering rise on the 134.17p recorded at the end of June just over two months ago. The AA has added that changing into a higher gear isn’t just for those with manual vehicles.

The AA explained: If you want to use less fuel, it’s a good idea to change to a higher gear sooner. You don’t want the vehicle to be sluggish (e.g. don’t go up to sixth gear at 20mph), but if you move up a gear even 1,000rpm earlier than usual, you’ll notice a marked difference in fuel usage over a period of time.

“So as tempting as it might be to get to the red line, consider changing up way before this. Even if you have an automatic car, these normally let you change up manually with the gear shifter or even with paddles on the steering wheel in some cases.”