DRIVING home for Christmas? With fuel prices soaring, you’ll want to cut as many costs as you can.

I caught up with Duncan McClure Fisher, founder of MotorEasy, to ask him about quick and simple changes we can all make to our cars and motoring habits.

Here are his tips.

CRUISE CONTROL: Avoiding harsh movements, speeding, revving your engine and heavy braking will prevent wear and tear and maximise fuel usage.

A study by insurers Direct Line found poor driving habits can add almost £50 a month to fuel bills.

RACK IT BACK: Bike racks and roof boxes are useful for holidays but leaving them on your car year-round can add up to 25 per cent to your petrol bill.

So for every £70 spent refilling your tank, you’ll pay as much as £17.50 just to carry the roof rack.

Take any clutter out of the boot too, as that also makes the car less efficient.

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DON’T BE A FUEL: Don’t drive around until your fuel tank is almost empty as it can cause debris and sediment to be pulled into your car.

Over time, this could lead to some expensive repairs. The problem is worse with diesel cars.

CHANGE OF AIR: Air-conditioning in cars doesn’t last forever.

Eventually it will leak refrigerant gas, which needs to be refilled. This happens much faster if the air-con isn’t used.

Running it reasonably regularly will help to keep it in full working order for longer, saving you around £80 on a re-gassing fee.

FIX PROBLEMS: If your car has a problem, get it seen to as soon as possible — otherwise it will likely get worse.

One of the worst and most common issues is a fault with the cam belt — which can stop the car starting.

If your car displays a warning light, get it looked at as soon as possible.

• Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

TRAY bien! Buy McCain’s triple-cooked roast potatoes for £2.50 from Iceland and get a free roasting tray.

Cheap treat

OLD Jamaica tropical soda, a new pineapple, mango and guava flavour sparkling soft drink, 2L, is down to £1, from £1.58, at Asda.

SAVE: 58p

What’s new?

GREGGS is giving away 50,000 festive bakes and vegan festive bakes to customers who download its new app.

This freebie is in addition to the usual free hot drink for new joiners.

The Greggs App rewards customers with a stamp each time they purchase a product.

Collect nine stamps and the tenth item will be free.

Top swap

COLD outside? Get a Hush Jules beanie hat from John Lewis for £29, or instead go for New Look’s £6.99 version.

SAVE: £22.01

Leah’s little helper

BOOTS offers extra Advantage card points – amounting to a £5 voucher – if you recycle five empty health and beauty products and spend £10 this month.

Empties could include five used cream tubs or pouches, mascara tubes, toothpaste tubes, and lipsticks.

The normal offer is 250 points for five, amounting to £2.50 credit, but the current offer is for 500, or £5 credit.

Shop & save

PACKS of AA and AAA Duracell batteries are two for £10 at Morrisons, or £7.50 each.

SAVE: £5 when buying two

Hot right now

GETTING your kid a bike for Christmas? Argos is offering 20 per cent off various models, including a Disney one, £99.99, down to £79.99.

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