Need to reduce the amount of petrol (gasoline) you use?

Six easy ways to reduce your usage are detailed below.

Tire Pressure

There’s no longer any doubt. Running your car at the correct tire pressure can save you money at the gas station. According to Yokohama (leading tire manufacturer), 2.8 billion gallons of gas (10.5 billion L) are wasted every year because of under inflated tires. These statistics come from the US alone, so there’s no doubt that as gas prices increase – this figure will increase as well. Make sure you aren’t part of this appalling statistic next year, pump your tires to the correct pressure and reap the financial and safety benefits.

Take a look at the price of crude if you're in any doubt!

Driving Style

Using the brake, accelerating quickly and overloading your car all contribute towards lower gas mileage. Try to drive as smoothly as you can from point to point, using your brake only when necessary. Think ahead – not only is it safer – but your passengers will thank you for the smoother ride.

The Car

It goes without saying that the car is the critical factor when it comes to mileage. Smaller and lighter cars tend to do better on fuel mileage. Remember to check the estimated mileage in any new or used cars that you consider purchasing, and make sure you are aware of any special fuel requirements. Many buyers purchase cars with ‘good’ economy ratings without realizing that their car needs premium fuels to run.

Saving money on petrol purchasing is entirely possible – if you are willing to shop around and play the price cycle. Petrol prices in Australia tend to follow a weekly price cycle – a feature common in many other countries. Fuelwatch has some good information on the cycle (link), and Tuesday seems to be the cheapest day of the fuel price cycle. Some websites might help you find where cheap gas is – see the FAQ for more information.

fuelwatch.wa.gov.au

The Journey

Thinking out your journey in advance might save you both time and money. Traveling at a time when you are unlikely to encounter other traffic is sensible and a good way to increase your economy – and make the ride more enjoyable as well. Consider using a GPS (Now approaching $200) if you often travel to routes unknown. This may not pay for itself unless you do a lot of driving, but the time saved must also be taken into account.

Your Comfort                        

Aircon uses fuel. If you can live without the climate control – give it a go. You might be surprised with how much you save.

See the FAQ for more resources designed to help you save fuel.