Scottish motorists could be wasting millions of pounds a year by sticking to outdated fuel saving driving techniques, according to a leading energy organisation.
Driving as fast as speed limits allow, deflating tyres to improve traction and driving at night are just some of the myths that drivers subscribe to in an attempt to increase their miles-to-the-gallon.
Energy Saving Trust Scotland (ESTS), a Scottish Government-funded organisation that seeks to help people save energy and reduce carbon emissions, said that Scottish drivers need to start adopting new driving practices to save cash and the environment.
The organisation’s transport programme manager Stephen Rennie said: “It’s concerning that drivers are mistakenly following outdated or inaccurate advice and believing they are saving on fuel.
“Practicing fuel efficient driving techniques can have a massive impact on your fuel consumption.
“Simply making a range of changes such as smoother braking and accelerating, shifting up to higher gears as soon as possible, and removing unnecessary weight from your boot or taking off roof racks could increase your fuel efficiency by up to 15%.
“For the average Scottish driver, that could equate to around £250 a year in fuel savings”
In a survey by ESTS three quarters of Scots correctly answered that inflating tyres to the right pressure saves money, and 58% recognised that driving at lower revs can help stretch out their fuel consumption.
However, only 44% knew that switching the engine off when stationary for more than a minute can actually save fuel.