With fuel prices staying unpredictable and E10 petrol now the UK standard, many drivers across Devon and Cornwall are looking for real, practical ways to cut fuel costs without changing vehicles.

The good news? Improving fuel efficiency isn’t only about driving slower — it’s about optimising your car, your driving habits, and your maintenance routine.
Here’s what really works in 2026.

1. Keep Your Engine Breathing Freely

Your engine can’t burn fuel efficiently if it’s restricted by carbon deposits, dirty injectors, or a blocked DPF. Even small build-ups increase fuel consumption by 5–15%.

What to do:

• Carbon cleaning removes soot and residue from the intake, EGR and valves, restoring combustion efficiency.
  
• Injector cleaning ensures proper fuel atomisation — crucial for diesel and GDI petrol engines.
  
• DPF cleaning helps reduce backpressure that forces the engine to work harder.
  

Drivers who combine these services typically see fuel economy improvements of 8–20%, depending on vehicle and condition.

Learn more: Carbon Cleaning Devon | Injector Cleaning Cornwall

2. Consider a Stage 1 ECU Remap for Economy

Modern vehicles are detuned from the factory to suit global markets and emissions limits.
A professional Stage 1 remap recalibrates fuelling, ignition timing and throttle response for your car’s actual conditions — unlocking both torque and efficiency.

A safe, economy-focused remap can deliver:

• 8–12% better MPG on motorway driving
  
• Smoother torque curve (less gear shifting)
  
• Improved throttle response and reduced turbo lag
  

Our ECU Remapping in Devon & Cornwall service is fully diagnostic-led and safe for everyday use — no hardware changes required.

3. Avoid E10 Mistakes

Since 2021, E10 petrol has been the standard unleaded in the UK.
t’s more environmentally friendly but has around 1–2% lower energy content than E5.

To offset this:

• Keep tyre pressures optimal (check monthly — 0.2 bar low can cost 3% MPG).
  
• Avoid short cold runs where possible — ethanol-rich fuels evaporate less efficiently in cold engines.
  
• Try a Stage 1 economy remap designed for E10 calibration if your car supports it.
  

4. Drive Smarter, Not Slower

It’s not only about speed — it’s about smoothness.
Every time you accelerate hard or brake suddenly, you waste kinetic energy and fuel.

Simple adjustments:

• Shift up early and stay under 2,000 RPM in diesels or 2,500 in petrols.
  
• Anticipate traffic — steady throttle = better combustion efficiency.
  
• Coast in gear (not neutral) when approaching lights — fuel cut-off mode engages automatically.
  
• Use cruise control only on steady roads, not in rolling terrain.
  

Small changes here can save up to 10–15% fuel over a month.

5. Keep Up With Regular Maintenance

• Oil: Use low-friction, fully synthetic oil with the manufacturer’s correct viscosity.
  
• Air filters: Replace every 10–15k miles — a blocked filter reduces airflow and MPG.
  
• Tyres: Stick to eco-rated tyres with proper alignment.
  
• Sensors: A lazy oxygen or MAF sensor can under-report airflow and increase fuelling.
  

We recommend combining diagnostics + carbon clean + injector clean once a year for older vehicles.

6. Plan Your Journeys Efficiently

Short, cold starts consume the most fuel.
Combine errands into one longer trip — once the engine is warm, your car burns up to 25% less fuel per kilometre.

Apps like Waze and Google Maps also help you avoid congestion, which massively affects consumption in urban areas like Plymouth or Exeter.

7. Bonus Tip: Check Your Driving Data

If your vehicle allows live data via OBD or apps like Torque or Car Scanner, track your fuel trims and air-fuel ratio.
This helps you spot early signs of inefficiency — before you feel it in your wallet.

Typical Real-World Results

Our local clients in Devon and Cornwall report:

• 10–20% MPG improvement after Stage 1 economy remap
  
• Up to 15% gain after carbon and injector cleaning
  
• Smoother idle, lower emissions, and extended DPF life
  

These savings often recover the service cost within months.

Ready to Cut Fuel Costs This Year?

If you’re ready to improve fuel economy and keep your engine clean, book a diagnostic check or fuel-efficiency package today.
We’ll assess your vehicle’s condition and recommend the most cost-effective path — from ECU remapping to cleaning services.

Book a mobile appointment with Revamp360 — available across Devon, Cornwall, and surrounding areas.