5 effective tips to help reduce fuel costs

It’s no secret that the price of fuel is continually changing and, as you stand at the petrol pump watching the gauge rise, it can be daunting as you wait to see how much it will cost to fill up your tank this time.

But, while you can’t do much about fuel prices (unless you want to drive all over town in search of the cheapest fuel), there are some other things you can do to help make your car go further between fills. Small practices like servicing your vehicle regularly or using your car’s air conditioner sparingly can help. Here are some easy ways to lower your fuel bill:

Drive smarter

You can make your fuel last longer simply by changing how you drive. For example, avoid heavy braking, accelerating harshly and excessive speed. If you drive a manual car, then being in the wrong gear will also use up more fuel.

According to RACQ, you can reduce your fuel consumption by as much as 25 per cent by reducing your speed by 20 km/h. Also, if you’ve got cruise control then use it, as it’s a great way to save on fuel. Meanwhile, try to avoid short vehicle trips – cars can use up to 20 per cent more fuel when the engine is cold.

Turn off the air-con

Nothing beats having an air-conditioned car on a hot summer’s day, especially when you live in Australia. However, air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent. A great tip is to air out the car by rolling downs the windows before turning on the air-con. But winding down the windows isn’t always your best alternative.

An open window is a great way to stay cool in slower traffic. However, cars are specifically shaped to cut through the air as efficiently as possible; beyond a certain speed, the wind resistance will start to drag it down. If you’re hearing that wind noise, chances are your car is more expensive to run.

Care for your car

Regular oil changes and services can keep your car’s running costs down and help to save on fuel. In fact, the wrong type of oil can overwork your engine and waste fuel. It’s also super important to check your tyre pressure at least once a month – under or overinflated tyres use more petrol.

Get rid of excess weight

You can cut fuel costs by removing excess weight from your car. Many of us have that one heavy item we can’t be bothered removing from the back. While we might be saving our bodies the effort of constant loading and unloading, the extra weight will ultimately be a burden on the car.

Meanwhile, using a roof rack and towing bulky equipment on top of your car can also eat away at your fuel. Take the time to remove your roof racks when you’re not using it.

Use your car less

It sounds obvious, but one of the best ways to save on fuel costs is to cut your car use. Explore other options like walking, cycling or public transport. If you must use your car, combine your car travel for the day into a single round trip to minimise your petrol use.