Make sure your car gets serviced regularly by a garage to avoid a poorly tuned engine, which can use up to 50 per cent more fuel than a car that is well looked after.

On a monthly basis, check that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. If not, even with just one tyre deflated by 20 per cent, fuel consumption could rise by five per cent.

For every one per cent of the car’s weight that you add, fuel consumption could rise by one per cent, so take out anything that you don’t need in the car.

Cold engines are thirsty engines, so really short journeys will be relatively expensive if driving just a short distance. Opt to walk, or even cycle - it is not only the cheaper, but also the healthier option!

Plan your trips to avoid road works, or getting lost, which causes an estimated 350,000 tons of fuel wastage each year.

Also try to adjust your driving behaviour to what is happening ahead of you on the road to avoid sudden breaking or acceleration.

Most cars run at their most efficient at approximately 100 km/h, and for every 8 km/h above that you drive, you will lose six per cent of your fuel economy. So slow down to save money.

If not needed, switch the air conditioning in your car off to reduce demand on the engine. However, ensure that it is on for several minutes at least every couple of weeks to prevent a build up of harmful bacteria in the system.

Don’t go out of your way to make a saving, as you could spend more on getting to a cheaper dealer, so fill up when you are passing, rather than making a separate journey. If you have a smartphone, you can also use helpful apps like vivagas to find the best prices near by where you are.