Martin Lewis Issues Fuel Saving Warning as Pump Prices Skyrocket
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has delivered an urgent warning to motorists about a common driving mistake that he describes as a "money burner" capable of increasing fuel consumption by a staggering 30%. The financial expert made the revelation during his ITV Money Show Live program as petrol and diesel prices continue their relentless climb across British forecourts.
Fuel Price Crisis Deepens Across the UK
Recent figures paint a concerning picture for drivers, with unleaded petrol prices now standing 10p higher than before the escalation of the Iran conflict, while diesel costs have surged by an alarming 20p per litre. According to the RAC, these persistent price increases are "really starting to hurt drivers" amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
The average price of unleaded petrol reached 142.3p per litre on Tuesday, representing a 7.1% increase since February 28th. Meanwhile, average diesel prices have leapt by nearly 14% over the same approximately two-week period, climbing to 162.1p per litre.
The "Money Burner" Driving Error
Mr Lewis identified aggressive acceleration and braking as the primary culprits behind excessive fuel consumption. He explained: "Our accelerator is a money pump. When you are pressing it, you are spending the fuel that you have put into the car."
"Your brake isn't much better; it's a money burner because when you're braking, you are converting the energy stored in the car into heat and throwing it away. Now, I'm not saying don't accelerate or brake, because that's what driving's all about. But your road positioning, maintaining safe distance from the car in front, and thinking ahead all enable you to speed up more slowly and slow down more gradually, which is massively more fuel efficient."
The money saving expert emphasized that studies demonstrate how improved driving techniques and vehicle efficiency measures can reduce petrol and diesel costs by 10% to 30%, depending on starting conditions. "It really is worth having a look at, especially at the moment when prices are high," he advised. "Not rocket science, but worth knowing."
Four Essential Car Modifications to Cut Fuel Costs
Beyond driving technique adjustments, Mr Lewis recommended several practical modifications to enhance vehicle efficiency:
- Remove Unused Roof Racks: "If that's empty, get rid of it. Really inefficient. You're having to push that through the wind on the motorway as you drive."
- Clear Out Your Boot: "You want to get rid of junk in your trunk. Extra weight—for every about 45kg, it makes your car 1% less fuel efficient. So get anything out of the boot that we're not using and heavy weight."
- Check Tyre Pressure Regularly: "Under-inflated tyres can add 3% or 4% to fuel bills when it's not more efficient. So get your tyres checked and pumped up properly."
- Use Air Conditioning Wisely: "When you're going at low speeds, your aircon can be really quite expensive proportionally, making the car much less fuel efficient. At high speeds, if it's warm, keep it on, because opening your windows on the motorway will really add drag and make the car have to work much harder."
With fuel prices showing no signs of abating, these practical tips from Britain's foremost money saving expert could provide significant relief for motorists feeling the pinch at the pump. The combination of smoother driving techniques and simple vehicle adjustments represents a powerful strategy against escalating fuel costs that affect millions of drivers nationwide.
