Five ways to save money on fuel this winter
Thursday 15th October 2026
UK petrol and diesel prices are rising higher than they’ve been before, as of October 2026 a full 55 litre tank of diesel will set you back about £110. Colder weather, lower tyre pressure and heaters, demisters and headlights all push fuel use up.
Here at Formula One Autocentres, we know a thing or two about car care and the things that will actually make a difference with your fuel efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explain our top five tips to help you to use less fuel this winter.
1. Keep your tyres properly inflated
Tyre pressure drops as the temperature falls, usually a drop of around 1 psi for every 10oC. This means that a tyre that was perfectly inflated in September is severely under inflated by the time it gets to December.
Underinflated tyres lay more rubber on the road which creates more rolling resistance. As a result, your engine has to work harder to move the car, so you burn more fuel and wear your tyres out sooner. Resulting in a bigger fuel bill and bigger tyre bill too.
We recommend checking your tyre pressures at least once a month and before long journeys when tyres are cold. You can find the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle listed in your vehicle handbook, fuel flap, or inside the driver side door frame.
2. Look out for uneven tyre wear
Uneven tyre wear indicates that there’s an underlying issue and most of these causes use extra fuel. Check your wear pattern to find out what the likely problem is.
- Wear on both outer edges of the tyre > Underinflated tyres
- Wear down the centre of the tyre > Over inflated tyres
- Wear on one edge, or a saw tooth feel across the tread > Wheels out of alignment
Misaligned wheels increase rolling resistance, shorten tyre life and can make your car pull to one side. If you also notice vibrations through the steering wheel, it’s best to book in for a free wheel alignment check.
While you check your tyres tread wear pattern, it’s a good idea to check your tread depth too. The legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central section of the tyre, but we recommend replacing your tyres when the tread reaches 3mm, as braking distances increase on cold, wet roads.
3. Keep up with regular servicing
A well-maintained engine uses fuel more efficiently, and regular servicing is one of the most efficient ways to save money in the long term. We recommend servicing your vehicle every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Oil and filter changes play an important role in your overall fuel efficiency. Fresh oil reduces friction inside your engine, while dirty old oil can leave sludge deposits that can cause engine damage. Changing the oil without replacing the filter can also restrict oil flow. On petrol cars, warn spark plugs can cause incomplete combustion, which wastes fuel.
Don’t forget, an oil and filter change is included in a full annual service, so if you missed your last one, book it in now, before the coldest months arrive.
4. Assess your driving habits and plan your journeys
The way you drive also impacts how much fuel you use. In winter it’s best to adopt a few good habits to help your tank go that little bit further.
Accelerate and brake gently: Hard acceleration and late braking use more fuel and create more tyre wear too. Look well ahead and let the car slow down naturally where you can.
Combine short trips. A cold engine uses more fuel until it reaches the optimal temperature, meaning if your only nipping round to the shops or for the school run, you could be using more fuel than if you combined both trips.
Don’t leave the engine running to defrost your car: Leaving the engine running to defrost your windows burns fuel without the car even going anywhere. Clean your windows manually first, then drive.
Choose your route: While it's not always possible, you’ll use less fuel if you avoid congestion and stop start traffic. If your sat-nav gives you a longer route, but you’ll be moving the majority of the way, it's best to take it as it's likely to use less fuel than stopping and starting constantly.
5. Cut unnecessary loads
Extra weight and electrical demand all cost you in fuel. If you’re not using them, take the extra few minutes to remove your roof boxes, roof racks and empty your boot before you set off. Every item you carry adds weight, which needs more power and fuel to transport, lighten the load instead of lightening your wallet.
You should also be savvy about which electrical features you use and when. We’re not saying to completely go without, but heated seats, screens and the blower all draw power from the alternator, and your engine provides that power. So, switch off your heated features once you’ve warmed up.
Ready to use less fuel this winter?
While you can’t control the price at the pump, you can control your tyre pressure, wheel alignment and servicing plans. Find your local Formula One Autocentres Branch today and start saving.
