This summer there are many temptations to indulge and spend a little extra cash. Holidays are one of the main culprits as we talk to our friends and family about where they have been and often give in to temptation.

As the weather improves, we are also tempted to have more nights out and may go to our favourite restaurant or beer garden to enjoy the sun. These are the kinds of activities which can impact our spending patterns and mean we spend more than we really should do. However, one thing that doesn’t need to cost us extra this summer, is our car.

‘Staycationing’, or vacationing in the UK, is very popular at the moment as a way for cash strapped Brits to save money but still go away over summer. They are great fun as you can spend some time with your friends and family and enjoy the sunshine without breaking the bank. With the children off on school summer holiday, travelling in the car to your favourite UK designation is a popular way to get around.

If you do decide to go on a road trip then you need to make sure that you and your car are both ready for the journey. Here are a few ways to improve the performance of your car whilst driving more economically.

Ensuring our engines are properly tuned is one of the best ways to ensure the peak performance. All cars come with a manual which details how to keep the engines tuned and as an out-of-tune car can increase emissions by 15% it is worth making the effort to ensure your engine is sufficiently tuned.

Air filters should be regularly changed as clogged filters can result in fuel consumption being increased by as much as 10%. Clean filters help maintain the performance of the engine and will help avoid costly repairs.

Another cost effective way of improving the performance of your car is to ensure your tyres are inflated to the necessary level. Again, you will find the levels required in the cars manufacturing manual. Having deflated tyres means the engine has to work harder and can result in an increase in 6% of fuel consumption.

The environment is a hot topic at the moment but buying a hybrid car or electric car can be expensive in comparison to making a few adjustments to your current vehicle. The aforementioned ways of driving more economically can really help cut your costs in the long run. The cost of repairing a car is becoming expensive so do all you can to avoid these costs by looking after your car and driving sensibly.