10 March 2011
With petrol prices hitting new heights in Australia at the moment, we thought it timely to remind you of what you can do to save money on your fuel costs. And it won’t only be a good idea for your hip pocket, it will also be good for the environment.
- One of the easiest things you can do is ensure that your car tyre pressure (including the spare tyre) is in-line with manufacturer recommendations. Regularly checking your tyre pressure will not only save on fuel it will also ensure that your car is easier to drive and safer.
- This is something I have never quite known the right answer to. If you are sitting outside your friend’s house waiting for them to come out and you are waiting for over a minute, turn the engine off. The petrol wasted restarting the engine is much lower than what is used waiting with the engine running.
- Keep your car light weight. Don't carry unnecessary heavy items in your car's boot eg tools, prams, golf clubs.
- Your driving skills also have a lot to do with your fuel consumption. Keeping a steady speed makes a big difference. Driving with bursts of speed means your car has to work harder and therefore wastes more fuel. The braking involved in slowing down also contributes considerably to your fuel consumption.
- Do your homework. If you are travelling to an unknown location, spend the time before hand to find the quickest route. Consider using a toll road to not only save time but also fuel. Planning also eliminates unnecessary arguments.
- If your car has Cruise Control, and you are travelling on a major highway for an extended period of time, turn it on. Cruise control has been designed by the manufacturer to ensure that your car runs at a constant speed, delivering fuel efficiency and savings.
- I argue about this with my partner all of the time. If you really don’t need the air conditioning on then save the environment and your wallet by turning it off. Your car's air-conditioning places a lot of strain on your engine burning a lot of fuel. Obviously if you have very small children or if the heart is unbearable, this might not be an option but on many occasions, natural air in the car can be just as effective.
- Regularly service your car to ensure that it is running at its best. This includes regularly cleaning your car’s air filter. Better air flow to your car’s engine means a cooler and more efficient engine.
- Do you really need to drive to pick up the milk and bread? Why not walk for a change, it will not only do you good but will also reduce your fuel usage.
- I have often wondered how much you can save buy driving a little further to find a cheaper service station. MyCarBudget gives you a flat 6c a litre off your fuel purchase (excludes Gas). However, picking the right day of the week and the right service station can also save you quite a bit of money. The weekly cycles do vary by location but by paying a little attention to what is happening locally you can easily pick the peak discount days.