Our ultimate guide to cutting fuel costs for YOUR car including 5p off a litre and where to find the cheapest garage

FUEL prices are rising again, and you may be worried about you’re going to get yourself from A to B without breaking the bank over the summer. Petrol has reached its highest point of the Iran War as the conflict rumbles on. Fuel prices are rising again, but there are ways to drive down costs as a savvy driver Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has kept fuel prices high since February. Credit: Getty The average price of a litre of unleaded has now reached 161.50p, according to the latest figures from RAC Fuel Watch. Diesel drivers are being squeezed even harder, with the average price standing at 181.81p a litre. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Prices at motorway service stations are considerably higher, averaging 178.39p for unleaded and a whopping 199.33p for diesel. Meanwhile, super unleaded costs an average of 178.65p a litre, while premium diesel stands at 199.42p. The RAC is currently forecasting no change in the price of any of the four fuel types. Petrol has increased by 10.91p since falling to a recent low of 150.59p on July 6. Meanwhile, diesel has risen by 16.84p since its previous low point in early July. The latest prices mean filling a typical 55-litre petrol tank now costs around £88.83. Most read in Money That is approximately £6 more than it would have cost when petrol was at its recent low. Filling a diesel car with the same-sized tank will now set motorists back almost exactly £100. And drivers who fill up on the motorway face an even bigger bill. A 55-litre tank of motorway unleaded would cost approximately £98.11, while the same amount of motorway diesel would come to a staggering £109.63. But there are simple ways to soften the blow, from loyalty-card tricks to making small changes behind the wheel. To stop yourself panicking at the pumps, follow our ultimate guide to cutting your fuel bill. Bag 5p off a litre You could bag 5p off a litre of fuel with a Nectar card Credit: Alamy Nectar customers can swap 300 points for 5p off each litre at participating Esso service stations. You will need to buy at least 10 litres, while the discount can be used on a maximum of 60 litres. Fill up with the maximum amount and you will shave £3 off your bill. But remember that 300 Nectar points are normally worth £1.50 when spent elsewhere. This means you will need to buy more than 30 litres to get better value from the fuel discount. The offer is not available at Esso garages with a Tesco Express shop, so check before making a special trip. Terms and availability can change, so look at the Nectar or Esso app before filling up. Hunt down the cheapest pump Prices can vary significant from forecourt to forecourt Credit: Alamy Do not assume your usual garage is offering the best deal. Prices can vary significantly between forecourts — even when they are just a few miles apart. You can use the Sun’s own fuel tool to find the cheapest prices near you so you don’t get caught out. Navigation app Waze may also show nearby fuel prices. But do not drive miles out of your way for a tiny discount. Saving 2p a litre on a 50-litre tank will cut your bill by only £1 — and you could burn through that saving simply getting to the garage. Check when an online price was last updated, too, as it may have changed by the time you arrive. Steer clear of motorway prices Petrol prices on the motorway are considerably higher than elsewhere Credit: Alamy Running on empty on the motorway could cost you dearly. The average motorway petrol price is 178.39p a litre — a whopping 16.89p more than the overall average. Meanwhile, motorway diesel costs an average of 199.33p, which is 17.52p more than the wider figure. Filling a 55-litre petrol tank at an average-priced forecourt instead could save you around £9.29. Diesel drivers could pocket a saving of roughly £9.64. Try to fill up before joining the motorway or look for a cheaper garage close to an exit. Just make sure the detour is not so long that it wipes out your saving. Put the brakes on bad driving Putting your foot down can send your fuel bill racing Credit: Alamy Putting your foot down can send your fuel bill racing in the wrong direction. Harsh acceleration and last-minute braking both use more fuel, so try to drive smoothly and anticipate what is happening ahead. Change gear sensibly and use the highest suitable gear without making the engine struggle. Leaving a decent gap from the car in front should also help you avoid constantly hitting the accelerator and brakes. Cruise control can be useful on long, flat roads, but it may use more fuel on hilly routes as the car fights to maintain the same speed. You can cut fuel consumption by 20 per cent by driving at 50mph rather than 68mph, according to gov.uk. However, it’s also important not to leave the engine running while you’ve stopped because it’s bad for the environment and wastes fuel. Consider switching off the engine when the car is stationary for even a few minutes. It’s also worth turning off any additional features for example air conditioning and seat heaters, as they drain the car battery as well as using extra fuel. Give your car a quick MOT Giving your car a quick once over could help make your fuel go further Credit: Alamy No, we do not mean booking an extra official MOT test. But giving your motor a regular once-over could help make your fuel go further as it costs you if your car isn’t in good nick. Underinflated tyres create more resistance, making the engine work harder. Check the pressure at least once a month and before a long journey, ideally while the tyres are cold. The correct figures can usually be found in your handbook, inside the fuel flap or on the driver’s door frame. You should also empty unnecessary clutter from the boot and remove roof boxes or bike racks when you are not using them. They add weight and drag, which can push up the amount of fuel your car needs. Finally, stick to your vehicle’s recommended servicing schedule and do not ignore dashboard warning lights. Spending a little time looking after your car now could save you cash at the pumps — and help prevent a much bigger repair bill later. Comment now