Easy ways to cut down on your petrol costs
These days, filling up your fuel tank takes quite a chunk out of your cash. Changing your driving habits can cause a significant decrease in the amount of money you spend every month at the filling station/garage.
Obviously, the best way to reduce fuel costs is to drive less: walk to the shop to get that litre of milk (the exercise will do you good too); join in a lift club for travelling to work.
There are also other things you can do to make your fuel go a little further:
Plan your trip in advance
- Know where you’re going! (A wrong turn = wasted fuel and time).
- Opt for the shortest route with the least stops, avoiding steep roads.
- Leave either before or after peak hour to avoid stop-start driving.
- If you’re visiting two places, drive to the furthest place first. Short “cold start” journeys use more fuel.
- Leave on time so that you won’t have to rush.
Change the way you drive, you will use less fuel by driving smoothly
- Anticipate the road ahead.
- Don’t accelerate too quickly or over-rev your vehicle.
- Drive in the appropriate gear. Driving slowly in a higher gear consumes less fuel.
- Don’t speed! (speed = more fuel costs + fine + possible accident)
- Avoid unnecessary idling.
- Use your air con sparingly (but remember that driving with open windows at high speed will cause resistance and also use more fuel)
Take care of your vehicle
- Your car should be serviced annually.
- Ensure that your tyres are properly inflated.
- Don’t overload – weight increases fuel consumption.