The long Easter weekend is approaching and if you’re heading away on a road trip there’s one crucial thing you need to check. Millions of people are expected to hit the road this weekend and experts are warning that even small decreases in efficiency could add to your fuel costs.

New analysis from Neil Atkinson, car expert at restoration firm Carrosserie, suggests that every extra 45kg can reduce fuel efficiency by 1% to 2%, meaning heavier vehicles require more fuel to travel the same distance. This becomes even more noticeable when you’re driving in stop-start traffic to escape the city, or through hilly countryside. Neil said: “Many drivers don’t realise how much weight affects fuel consumption.

Even a few extra passengers can make the engine work harder, particularly in urban traffic or on hills.

“It’s not always obvious straight away, but over longer journeys – like those during the Easter getaway period – it can quietly add to your fuel bill.”

He’s not suggesting you leave Grandma at home – but before you set off, it’s a good idea to check over your car and remove extra weight.

If you’ve had bags of clothes to go to the charity shop in the boot for weeks, leave them behind before you set off. Even the smallest things can make a difference to your overall fuel efficiency and save you money over time.

He said: “A fully loaded vehicle will always be less efficient. Keeping weight down where possible is one of the simplest ways to improve fuel economy.”

With fuel prices remaining a concern for many households and drivers, small changes behind the wheel could make a noticeable difference – just in time for one of the busiest driving periods of the year.