The cost of living crisis has meant that the budgets of motorists are becoming tighter and tighter each month.

Russia’s war with Ukraine has meant that the average price of fuel is now 168.24 pence a litre for petrol and 181.00 for diesel.

According to carVertical they’ve given eight handy tips to help drivers save as much fuel as possible.

Automotive expert Matas Buzelis recommends a few simple habits and solutions which can help drastically reduce your fuel bills.

  • Change your driving style

Consumption of fuel skyrockets the faster you go, especially under hard and aggressive acceleration as well as hard braking.

Avoiding strong acceleration and using gears for braking is a simple way to solve the issue.

Aggressive driving habits rarely cut more than a minute or two from each trip, failing to compensate for the additional fuel consumption.

Having the cruise control set to a certain speed also helps preserve fuel on a long drive.

  • Reduce air conditioner consumption

Climate control systems in modern cars often let the air conditioner run even when it's not necessary. The AC compressor is a powerful unit, and it can increase fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.

By reducing the use of the climate control system, motorists could see a reduction on their fuel bills.

  • Check the tire pressure regularly

Every car has an optimal tyre pressure, which is calculated to help with performance, comfort, safety, and fuel efficiency. Low tyre pressure increases rolling resistance, making the engine use more fuel to maintain speed.

As such, it's a good idea to check the tire pressure regularly, at least once a month.

But be careful - over-inflated tyres can lead to more wear.

  • Try to reduce unnecessary weight

The heavier a car is, the more fuel is used up.

If you can get rid of the spare wheel that is in the boot, more car manufacturers are ditching this and are now using aluminium or even plastics instead of steel to reduce the car's weight to a minimum.

Removing clutter and heavy items will make the car more economical, agile, and roomy.

Reducing drag is another way of making your car more economical.

  • Avoid traffic jams

This may be the hardest one out of the lot as people will have set routes to get to work.

People should make a habit of avoiding traffic jams whenever possible. The constant stopping and going strains the engine, suspension, and gearbox. As many probably know, one of the reasons city driving is considered the least economical is due to traffic jams. Choosing a longer route with lighter traffic is often more convenient.

A lot of fuel and time can be saved by avoiding rush hours.

  • Purchase a more fuel-efficient car

Getting a more fuel-efficient car could help motorists save money on their fuel bills.

Cars with big engines such as SUV’s and saloons will never be as economical as compact models such as hatchbacks and superminis

Buying a small car to drive just in the city could help.

  • Take good daily care of your car

People often overlook the fact that a vehicle's condition plays an essential role in fuel efficiency. Elements such as the engine, suspension, and electrical systems impact fuel consumption. For example, a faulty oxygen sensor can result in double-sized fuel bills. So, skipping regular car maintenance should never become a habit.