For Car Owners and Drivers...
Here are some tips to improve fuel efficiency:
1. When you reach a red traffic light, instead of braking, take your foot off the accelerator and let the car slow down to reach the traffic lights. I'm aware that sometimes the car behind might not be aware you are slowing down, so lightly touch the brake to flash the brake lights, and then take your foot off the brake, accelerator and clutch and simply let the car glide to a stop.
2. Don't speed. The faster you go, the more fuel you use in to cover the same distance. Every car has an optimal speed where the engine is at it's most efficient. Go to the manufacturer's web-site and find out the optimal efficient speed for your car and stick to it. It's dangerous going over 30mph in a city environment anyway, so don't. On a motorway, just because the speed limit is 70mph, you don't have to drive at that fast. Stick to about 50-60mph and sit on the inside lane with the lorries, and ignore all the people speeding past you. If they are happy to literally burn money, let them. This will need some planning, as driving at a lower speed means that the journey will take longer, so you may need to leave the house earlier.
3. Get your car serviced - dirty air filters and oil that hasn't been changed reduces fuel efficiency.
4. Make sure your tire pressure is correct, check it regularly. The lower your tire pressure, the more the engine has to work to drag the car along.
5. Don't carry heavy loads. The lighter the car, the less fuel it uses. Spend some time clearing junk from the car. Don't keep roof-racks on if you don't need them.
6. Air conditioning decreases fuel efficiency. Unfortunately leaving your windows down creates drag that also reduces fuel efficiency. The only way to get round this is to try not to drive in the hottest parts of the day, when your air conditioning needs will be highest. Park in cool spots to keep the car cool (shaded multi-story car-parks are the best bet in summer as the car won't heat up at all).
7. Drive in the correct gear, if you are using a manual car.
8. Some people tend to have their foot always over the clutch lightly depressing it which driving. Don't. Only depress the clutch when your foot is off the accelerator.
9. Make fewer journeys - instead of popping to the supermarket every couple of days, do big shops occasionally. This too demands prior organisation.