Four easily applied fuel-saving tips could save motorists 33% on fuel, according to a survey of European drivers.

The four simple tricks are:

• Remove the roof-top cargo box (20%)
• Shop around for fuel (7%)
• Check tyre pressures every month (4%)
• Take excess weight from inside the car (2%)

Ford commissioned the survey of 5,700 drivers from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain to identify the opportunity for changes in driver behaviour to affect fuel bills.

The survey showed that 76% do not regularly check tyres, 38% never remove roof storage equipment, 18% never shop around, and 17% always leave extra items in the car.

It  also revealed further opportunities to cut fuel consumption – 71% of drivers admit breaking speed limits, 42% never use the most economical route, 39% drive aggressively and 14% leave air conditioning on all the time.

It found that people are, on average, spending almost £2,500 on fuel each year so bills could be cut by £820.

Trends by country

The survey revealed around a quarter (26%) of UK drivers never shop around for fuel  and UK women are the most likely to also buy a bar of chocolate (19%). 

Italian drivers are the most likely to leave unnecessary items in their car (23%) and the most likely to leave roof storage equipment in place (43%).

Less than half said they would ever choose the most economical route (49%)

German drivers are the most likely to speed (89%) and drive aggressively (57 %).

French drivers are the least likely to make a monthly tyre pressure check (18%).

Spanish drivers are most likely to always leave the air conditioning system on (19%).

The survey also revealed that after filling up 45% of people also add to their spending at the pumps by impulse buying other items.

German drivers were the most likely to buy something additional (63%), while Italian men were the most likely also to buy a coffee (28%).