Almost anyone running a car in the current climate will be suffering from escalating costs, with fuel and insurance biting the hardest. But there are ways in which you can take control and minimise the financial impact.

1. Try not using it

It might sound obvious, but the less you use your car, the less it will cost you in fuel and wear and tear. Many of us could also use an alternative mode of transport for short journeys, whether it is on foot, a bicycle or by bus. Not only will the walk save you money, it will boost energy levels and help to keep you fit.

2. Lean and mean

Keeping your car in good order helps make the most of the fuel in your tank. Check your boot and put away anything you don’t need: unnecessary weight means your car has to work harder.

You should also use the car’s air conditioning sparingly too as this can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 per cent, but opening the window won’t help either: this increases aerodynamic drag which can affect fuel economy by a similar amount.

It’s easy to neglect tyre pressures as it can be a dirty job, but for the best results you should check your tyre pressures at every fuel stop. With the tyres at their optimumpressure, you are ensuring maximum grip as well as minimising rolling resistance, a factor that has a big influence on fuel consumption.

Scrimping on servicing is a false economy: not only will a badly-maintained car notoperate a maximum efficiency, it also increases the likelihood of an expensive breakdown,so find a garage you trust to service your car regularly or do it yourself.

3. Smooth and steady

Driving style is the biggest factor determining fuel consumption, so think carefully about how you drive. Acceleration uses fuel and braking wastes the momentum that burning the fuel has given you, so the basic aim is to keep your speed as constant as possible. The key to this is good anticipation: reading the road ahead and predicting the behaviour of other drivers will mean you can avoid heavy braking and stop as infrequently as possible.

It might sound obvious but being sure of where you are going before you set off will avoid unnecessary detours.

Missing a turning could add five kilometres to your journey and cost you additional money every time. Planning a route in advance can also allow you to choose the most efficient route that avoids stop-start traffic and city centres.