THE welcome application of brakes by the Chancellor over fuel duty is excellent news for the motorist at a time of spiralling pump prices.
Even so, the cost of petrol and diesel is moving to a point where it could force many off the road.
However there is a lot the driver can do to get the most miles out of every drop of fuel.
Firstly, common sense says to made sure the car is running efficiently but then there are some clever steps to take to ease the pain at the pumps.
Ensure that tyres are always inflated to the correct pressure. Under inflation - by even a small amount - can increase fuel consumption noticeably. Always check them after a short run when the tyres have warmed and never over inflate them thinking that harder tyres reduce rolling resistance. Pressures are set for a purpose.
It is also a good idea to ditch unnecessary weight in the car as it will reduce efficiency. Golf clubs, push chairs, tool boxes etc can cause the engine to work harder so remove them when they are not needed.
Also remove roof racks, cycle racks, storage boxes etc when they are not being used as they affect the aerodynamics of the car.
Do not waste fuel by warming the car before a journey. However a warm engine is more efficient than a cold one so try to carry out all your trips in succession so that the engine does not get cold between stops. Turn the air conditioning off when it is not needed as this uses up power unnecessarily.
Also take a little time to plan your journeys to avoid congestion, to ensure you take the best route and that you know exactly where you are going. An unplanned detour because you are lost can be a very costly error in terms of wasted fuel.
Reducing average speed by just a few mph can have a favourable effect on your fuel consumption and your wallet. Driving at 70mph uses nine per cent more fuel than driving at 60mph.
Finally, take it easy. Rapid acceleration and heavy braking can make your car to guzzle more fuel than it needs. Using the gearbox to gain a higher gear more quickly could possibly be the best fuel efficient tip.
A few years ago many would have scoffed at such penny pinching. But petrol was cheaper then and the above advice now takes on a whole new significance.