There’s a saying, “A penny saved, is a penny earned”. So, if you’re looking for areas to cut costs, why not start with your car petrol costs? A few small changes can bring your expenses down, so why not try them out?
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Additional Reading: A Go-To Guide For Those Buying A New Car
Here are a few simple things you can do to cut down on your fuel expenses.
- Change your driving habits
Did you know that when you drive smoothly and brake gently, rather than slamming down on the brake, your car consumes less petrol? Also, the faster you drive and accelerate, the more fuel you consume. And lastly, make sure that you’re driving in the right gear. Driving in the wrong gear puts extra strain on the car and eats up more fuel. So, avoid this if you want to save on your fuel costs.
- Save with service
When was the last time you serviced your car? If you’re the type that services it regularly, that’s good. Most cars need to be serviced every 10,000 – 15,000 kilometres or once a year. And guess what? A well-maintained car runs better as its engine efficiency is better and this leads to less petrol being used. Not to mention reduced wear and tear on the car.
- Change your filters
Having clean filters will ensure that your car is running more fuel efficiently. So, check them often and change them regularly, especially if you live in a dusty area.
- Lighten the load
Lugging around a lot of stuff in your car will take a toll on fuel efficiency. So, check your car (have you looked in the boot recently?) and take out all those things that don’t really need to be there. You’re sure to save on your petrol costs if you do.
- No pressure
Tyre pressure is another thing that you need to keep an eye on. Making sure that your car tyres have the right amount of pressure is essential if you want to save on your petrol consumption. Even a small drop in the pressure can lead to a drop in mileage. So, watch out for this.
- Don’t be cool and save fuel
We’re talking about your car’s air conditioner. Using the air conditioner will increase your fuel consumption. If you don’t really need to use it, turn it off and roll down the windows. However, at higher speeds, you should keep your windows up as the drag produced by the wind can lead to your car using more petrol.
Additional Reading: What To Do If You Have Filled The Wrong Fuel In Your Car
- Stop says the red light
Stuck at a traffic signal? One of the easiest ways to save on your petrol costs is to turn off your car engine while you are waiting. Not only will you save fuel, it’s good for the environment too.
- Walk or cycle short distances
If you need to travel short distances, like to a shop in the neighbourhood, walk or cycle instead of driving. But if you absolutely feel the need to take your car out, try and club a few trips together to make things efficient. The plus side of walking or cycling is that you won’t have to worry about parking and you’ll certainly save on fuel.
- Google Maps
Taking the route with the least amount of traffic is another way to save on fuel costs. Google Maps can help you figure this out. Just open the app, type in your destination and, voila, you will be able to identify the best, most fuel-efficient way home.
- Rush hour
Want to save on petrol costs? Avoid travelling during rush hour. We’d suggest that you get to and leave work before everyone else to avoid the peak hours. Not only will your fuel usage reduce, you’ll also avoid the stress of being stuck in traffic.
- Get a fuel Credit Card
Did you know that there are Credit Cards that give you free fuel? There sure are! A good way to make the most of your spending is by using one of these cards to collect points which can be exchanged for fuel.
Additional Reading: Save On Fuel With These Credit Cards
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