Whether fuel prices are up or down, filling up your tank is still one of the single biggest costs of running your car - especially when prices reach record highs as they did in March 2022.
Checking fuel prices, through either the FuelWatch website or via the FuelWatch app, can help you save, but there are also some simple changes you can make to your driving habits that can help reduce your car’s fuel consumption and therefore your overall cost.
While the fuel saving tips below may not save you a significant amount of money or fuel, combined with finding the cheapest local fuel retailers and buying on the cheapest day of the fortnightly petrol price cycle, it can help make a difference.
1. Minimise accelerating and braking. Hard accelerating increases fuel use dramatically, and braking wastes the energy that has been used to get the car up to speed.
2. Where possible and safe, use cruise control on higher speed roads to help maintain a more consistent speed. Also consider travelling at a reduced speed, as wind resistance, and therefore fuel use, increases quickly when your car is travelling at a higher speed.
3. Change up through the gears. Driving in a lower gear than necessary and revving the engine hard wastes fuel. An automatic transmission will shift up through the gears quicker if you ease back on the accelerator once the car has gained enough speed.
4. Use air conditioning only when necessary. Air conditioners increase fuel use by about 10 per cent. However, at speeds of more than 80km/h, light use of air conditioning is better for fuel consumption than an open window that increases wind resistance.
5. Don't warm up or idle your engine. By switching off the engine, even for a short period, you'll save more fuel than is used to restart the engine.
6. Only fill your tank until the first click of the fuel nozzle. Any extra fuel can be spilled or lost from the tank's overflow.
7. Check your tyre pressure regularly and keep all tyres at the recommended pressure. Low pressure increases rolling resistance and fuel use. Find out your car's optimum tyre pressure.
8. Remove unnecessary weight and roof racks. Unnecessary weight in your car or boot increases fuel consumption. Roof racks and spoilers also increase wind resistance and fuel consumption.
9. Service your car regularly. Keeping your car properly serviced and tuned will minimise its emissions and fuel use.
10. When possible and practical, consider sharing some car journeys with others or find other ways to complete shorter trips.
Updated March 2022
Save money and help lower emissions
If you drive a car recognised by RAC as having lower emissions, you can get rewards across Insurance, Auto Services and Roadside Assistance.
