Drive smoothly and slowly, avoiding harsh acceleration and braking. Your engine will burn more fuel at higher speeds, so try to cruise. Avoid overrevving the engine and try not to have an aggressive driving style. Roaring away from traffic lights only to brake sharply at the next set is very wasteful of fuel.

Take advantage of rolling resistance rather than heavy braking to slow you down. This deceleration technique is one of the best for fuel-saving.

Tailgating, apart from being dangerous, also stops drivers from anticipating the road ahead and keeping their driving smooth. This wastes fuel since you have to constantly brake and accelerate, brake and accelerate.

Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is more fuel-efficient. A vehicle travelling at 60km per hour in third gear uses 25% more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.

Minimise the use of air conditioning or climate control features. These are standard on modern cars but we don't need to use them every day. Air conditioning is an extremely thirsty feature, especially when in traffic or driving at low speeds . . . it can add up to 8% to your fuel bill.

Try to avoid drag by keeping doors, windows, bonnet and boot lid securely closed. The roofrack, even when empty, will cost fuel because it reduces the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle.

Consider removing it when it is not in use. Driving with open windows or sunroofs, especially at motorway speeds, significantly adds to drag.

Don't carry unnecessary loads: empty the boot! That set of golf clubs or those boxes that you were going to get rid of will worsen your fuel efficiency by adding weight to the car.

Keep the car serviced as per the manufacturer's recommendations . . . a badly maintained engine will burn more fuel.

Poor adjustment of tracking, brakes or other systems will also worsen fuel efficiency.

Keep the tyres in good condition and inflated as per manufacturer's recommendations. A simple tyre check takes only a few minutes at a service station.

Check the inflation of each of the wheels once a month and before long journeys.