Five simple tips to save cash on your drive home for Christmas

AS millions of us hit the road to visit our loved ones for the festive period, it’s more important than ever to make your your fuel go further.

Is estimated that families who drive to see relatives at Christmas do an average of 115 miles and spend an average of around £23.

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Millions of motorists are set to be driving home for Christmas[/caption]

But according to Macklin Motors, there are some things you can do to help reduce costs at the pump.

Stick to the slow lane on motorways

Driving at just 10mph under the speed limit can help reduce fuel consumption by 25 per cent and could help save you around £20-30 a year.

For example, while every car is different, most models see a significant decrease in fuel economy when driving at speeds above 50mph.

And although you may think that driving as quickly as possible will help reduce the amount of fuel and it’s much more efficient to drive conservatively on roads.

Plus, it makes the roads safer for everyone.

Pump up tyres before long drives

Properly inflated tyres can reduce fuel consumption by up to three per cent, experts say.

Your vehicle’s tyres generally lose about one pound per square inch (PSI) per month, so it is recommended you check their pressure before embarking on a long trip in cold conditions.

It is also important to check for signs of even wear on the tyres, especially along the edges of the front pair.

Uneven wear could indicate a tracking or suspension problem that could increase fuel consumption and cause your tyres to wear more quickly.

And don’t forget that once your tread wears down to 1.6mm, you are legally required to change the tyre immediately or face a £10,000 fine.

Choose smoother journeys

Constantly speeding up and slowing down burns 20 per cent more fuel than consistently cruising.

For example, cruising at 50mph is the most economic way to drive, by keeping a light touch on the acceleration pedal.

However, if you’re stuck in stop-start traffic and constantly speeding up harshly, just to slow down, you’re burning through fuel unnecessarily.

So, always try to take your time when accelerating in your vehicles.

Go easy on heating

With the weather now cold and frosty, most of us will turn the engine over to warm up our car before setting off.

But letting a cold engine idle could actually do more harm than good and could end up costing you more in the long run.

Furthermore, driving with the air con blasting in stop and start traffic can affect fuel consumption by 10 per cent and.

So, in general, make sure to wrap up warm when travelling over Christmas, with plenty of layers you can wear or take off to adapt to your temperature.

Prevent idling where possible

The Christmas period usually brings chaos on the roads – with queues as long as 10 miles reported already this year.

So, to avoid extra fuel consumption, make sure you turn off the car’s engine when it comes to a stop.

Some car models even have a seamless stop/start system that automatically turns the vehicle’s engine off when it comes to a complete stop.

For more money-saving tips check out our road-ready guide for festive trips.

Plus, beware of the little-known driving rules during the Christmas period that could see you hit with a fine.