5 MUST-KNOW TIPS TO SAVE MONEY ON FUEL

Better driving is safer, better for the environment and easier on the pocket. Try some of these tips to travel further on less.

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Even the most careful and sensible driver could probably save some money on petrol by following some tried and tested tricks. Just as important is keeping your car in good shape.

1. TYRE PRESSURE MATTERS
It’s sensible to have your tyre pressure checked whenever you fill up with petrol. Check the owner’s manual or the little sticker inside the driver’s door for the correct pressure.

Both too hard or too soft will have a negative effect on your fuel use. With passengers and a boot full of luggage, you’ll need the maximum pressure but less for regular use.

Good tyre condition helps the engine run smoothly. Driving on worn tyres is unsafe as well. Wheels that aren't aligned also costs you, so have that done every six months.



2. DON’T NEGLECT YOUR SERVICES
A regular service is important to prevent more expensive repairs later on and also for fuel-saving fixes such as cleaning or replacing air filters and setting the right idling level.

Roof racks and boxes might look cool but they create wind resistance – more and more the faster you go. Take them off when not in use. An empty roof rack adds 16% drag when driving at around 120 km/h and a roof box at that speed adds 39%.

Even the little flag you put on your aerial to support your soccer team can push up consumption.

If you drive a bakkie, consider a canopy or cover which can reduce drag by more than 5%. This could reduce fuel consumption by as much as 2%.

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3. NEVER SPEED
Fuel consumption on a freeway when you’re driving under and above 100 km/h is very different. Breaking or speeding up suddenly can consume 40% more energy.

Try to keep a steady speed by checking the traffic ahead and anticipating when you’ll have to slow down. Sticking to the speed limit saves money in fines and slowing down from 110km/h to 90km/h can reduce fuel usage by 25%.

Quick accelerations lower fuel efficiency by up to 33%. So don’t chase the green traffic lights and don’t feel obliged to live in the fast lane.

Your engine loads faster when you start up if you’ve turned off everything that uses power, such as a radio and air con.

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4. WINDOWS OR AIR CON?
Open windows or sunroofs on a highway wastes petrol. In fact, anything that makes a wind noise as you drive is costing you fuel.

That said, air con typically uses 10% of your car’s energy, so at lower speeds, you’re better off with the regular vents or windows open. Above 80km/h the air con becomes more economical than open windows.

If your car has cruise control, use it on long stretches of flat road where it will keep your speed constant. If the road isn’t flat, cruise control can increase fuel consumption.

Don't park with your engine idling and avoid peak hour traffic. If you're standing still for more than 30 seconds, turn your engine off.



5. ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD
Starting, stopping and idling put a strain on your engine and even worse for fuel economy, so pick your time and route to avoid this as much as possible.

Extra weight in your trunk requires extra power and fuel from your engine. A car requires more fuel to carry more weight. With every 50 kg of luggage, it will consume 2% extra fuel.

Group your errands so you don’t make unnecessary short trips so your engine has time to warm up. Driving a car with a cold engine that has been parked for a few hours uses much more fuel for the first few kilometres.

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Sources: https://www.boxymo.ie, https://caltex.co.za, https://carfromjapan.com, https://www.rac.co.uk, https://www.aa.co.nz, https://www.carmag.co.za