According to recent research carried out by the group, many are even adopting driving habits which hold no practical bearing on the amount of petrol a car uses, in an effort to combat the effects of annual increases in excess of 20 per cent on the price of fuel. While 90 per cent said they were making an effort to be more fuel-efficient, one in six (15 per cent) were wasting their own energy on spreading the load in the vehicle by making passengers sit in the back seat in the mistaken hope that it would reduce fuel consumption. On top of that, ten per cent had changed to filling their car early in the morning, as they believed filling the tank when cold would make the petrol go further.



They also claimed that six per cent of motorists had stopped listening to their radios, or changed the type of music they listened to in the car in the vain hope that it would tax the engine less.

For those who have been struggling to keep up with motoring costs as other pressures on their finances continue, taking out a debt consolidation loan may prove an effective way to reduce monthly outgoings and make paying for essentials such as fuel more manageable.

The insurance provider claims, less radical measures can also help reduce motoring costs - and it appears that the over-50s make the most effort to do so. While the majority of drivers (54 per cent) of all ages said they switched off air-conditioning, the older age groups were found to be taking fuel efficiency to the next level by making sure they only drove within the stated rev range. Half of over-50s claimed they did this, 20 per cent above any other age group. Furthermore, 93 per cent said they always drove in the highest gear possible to reduce the strain on the engine.

Chief executive of Saga Group Andrew Goodsell advised motorists: "It's quite clear that people are feeling the financial strain every time they fill up their vehicle. By making a few small changes, they can vastly reduce their fuel consumption."

While cutting down on the use of air conditioning was principal among these tips, others included streamlining vehicles by removing roof racks, boxes and bike racks. Furthermore, consumers could find they make a saving at the pump by driving more smoothly, as well as braking in a progressive manner. Ensuring that gear changes are made at the optimum time (about half the vehicles rev limit) should help the the car to be more efficient, according to Saga.

For those who are looking to avoid petrol costs and buy a more energy-friendly vehicle, taking out a car loan may prove an easy way to raise the capital. Opting for a greener vehicle may be of particular interest after the Department for Transport warned last year that drivers of petrol vehicles could face a "green tax" within six years.