This is partnered guest post.

Petrol and diesel prices are only going to rise in price over the next few years as crude oil becomes more scarce and governments increase taxes in a bid to reduce carbon emissions. Driving economically can considerably improve the fuel efficiency of any car and save the motorist a significant amount of money. Here are some tips to help you reduce your fuel consumption.

Tyre pressures and weight 

Make sure to keep your tyres at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Flat tyres cost money and even a slightly under-inflated tyre can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10%.

Unnecessary weight will also be wasting fuel so don’t keep anything you don’t need in the boot and clear your car out regularly.

Gears and acceleration 

Try to change up a gear as early as you can without making your car labour. Use your rev counter and listen to the signals your engine is giving you.

Accelerate gently and gradually up to the speed you need to be at. Don’t press hard on the accelerator and then coast, keep everything smooth and controlled.

Search for the cheapest fuel and most economical car Use a comparison website or just open your eyes to the variation in prices at the petrol pump. Rural garages tend to be more expensive than urban ones so try to fill up in town if you can. However, travelling miles to get to the cheaper petrol can be counter productive.

It may pay to spend more on buying or leasing your car initially if the extra money gets you a more efficient car. Use comparison websites to find the best deals and a car lease calculator Australia has some of the highest fuel costs in the world so it well worth bagging as efficient a car as you can.

Warming up and air conditioning 

Modern cars don’t need warming up on the drive before you set off. Newer engines warm up much better on the move so just get in and go.

Air con uses about 5% more fuel when switched on so try to only use it when necessary. You probably don’t need it on for the school run but do need it for longer drives. At slow speeds opening the windows is actually more efficient.

Anticipation and coasting 

Try to think ahead. If you can anticipate having to slow down and ease off the throttle nice and early, you will save yourself money and brake pads.

Coasting when in gear uses no fuel at al but coasting in neutral does use fuel to keep the engine running.

Convert you engine 

It may well pay you to convert a petrol car to LPG which costs about half the price and performs pretty much as well. Diesel cars can be converted to biodiesel which can be bought cheaply or you can even make your own. Older, cruder diesel engines can even be converted to run old cooking oil.

Switch your engine off and slow down

If you are going to be stationary for more than 10 seconds it is worth turning off your engine. Any less than that and it costs more fuel to restart it than you save.

Driving more slowly saves fuel like almost nothing else, driving at 60 mph rather than 70 mph saves around 17%.

Drive less 

The best way to save fuel is to leave the car on the drive and walk or get on your bike. Do you really need to drive that half mile to the shop? Could you cycle to work?
Written on behalf of the professional car loan company in Sydney – Fincar

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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This is a partnered guest post.

Jumping on a plane to a tropical country may sound like a dream come true, now that the cold British weather is sinking in. However, according to experts, those who are choosing to travel halfway across the world this autumn may be putting their health at great risk, if they don’t seek medical advice.

Doctors recommend seeing a physician at least six weeks before you plan to go on holiday, to assess the dangers of travelling without vaccinations or medical protection. Even UK residents who are returning to their country of origin may need medical assistance, because previous immunities may have faded away with time.

To avoid putting your health in jeopardy this year, make sure you have travel insurance and consult with solicitors about your legal rights in that country. There are other precautions you can take whilst abroad which reduce the likelihood of contracting unwanted diseases. Just follow these simple instructions to stay safe and healthy on your holiday.

Water and Food

Don’t drink the tap water in other countries with poor sanitation, and don’t put ice in your drinks. Always drink from bottled beverages, as there is a low risk of contamination.

Never eat anything uncooked like salads and fruit unless you prepared them yourself. Don’t eat foods that have been kept at room temperature. The food you do consume should be piping hot and thoroughly cooked to kill off harmful bacteria.

Insect Bites

Try to avoid areas with a high concentration of biting insects. Mosquitoes that induce malaria usually bite between dusk and dawn, so stay indoors as much as possible during these hours. Products containing DEET are proven to repel insects effectively, but be careful to follow instructions correctly.

To avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, wear loose clothing and cover up! Mosquitoes can easily bite through tight outfits. Always sleep under a mosquito net and immediately patch up any obvious holes.

Sun Safety

Heat exhaustion and sunburn is common in exceptionally hot countries. You can prevent skin damage by using sun protection lotion with a high SPF – make sure it isn’t past its expiry date. If you are taking children with you, layer them up with sun cream regularly, as their skin is more vulnerable to burns.

Avoid sun bathing between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm, as that’s when the sun is at its most ferocious. Spend time in the shade during this time – either under umbrellas or indoors.

If you’re going for a paddle in the sea, be aware that the water washes the sunscreen off your skin, meaning you are completely exposed. The cooling effect of the water can be deceptive and make you think that you are fine, even though your skin is getting toasted! To top it all off, water reflects UV rays, and actually increases your exposure to the sun.

It’s unlikely that you’ll get through a sunny holiday without a little sunburn, so take anti-inflammatory painkillers and aftersun to minimise the damage. Gently apply cold water to sore skin, but if your skin starts swelling or blisters, get yourself to a doctor fast.

Written on behalf of Hughes Carlisle who are solicitors based in Liverpool and Warrington assisting a variety of personal injury claims

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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