Ruqayyah Snyder
With fuel prices constantly fluctuating, it's important to know how to save money on fuel. There are several ways to do this in Australia, including using fuel apps and websites to compare prices, taking advantage of the petrol price cycle, driving in a fuel-efficient manner, and considering alternative modes of transport or vehicle types.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use fuel apps and websites | There are over 40 free fuel price apps and websites operating in Australia, allowing users to compare the going rates for different fuel types near them. |
| Take advantage of the petrol price cycle | The price of fuel can be cyclical, with prices increasing for a period before lowering again. This cycle is known as the 'petrol price cycle' and can help motorists save money on fuel. |
| Tyre maintenance | Keeping tyres inflated at the recommended pressure can help save on fuel costs. |
| Car maintenance | Regular car servicing can help conserve fuel when on the road. |
| Driving style | Driving at higher speeds increases fuel consumption. Driving smoothly and accelerating moderately can help improve fuel economy. |
| Car type | Older and larger cars tend to consume more fuel. Electric cars are a more fuel-efficient alternative. |
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What You'll Learn
Use fuel apps and websites to compare prices
There are over 40 free fuel price apps and websites operating in Australia, with different platforms servicing different parts of the country. These apps and websites allow you to compare the going rates for different fuel types near you.
In most states and territories, these comparison services draw their prices from a government database that retailers are required to report to. Some states and territories with databases also have their own government-run apps or websites. Others have a list of third-party apps or websites that receive data from their respective fuel reporting schemes.
Some fuel price apps can be configured to alert you when it's a good time to buy in your area. For example, the RACV App can be used to find the latest fuel prices near you. The My NRMA app allows you to find and compare fuel prices from all service stations in real time across NSW. You can also search by location, fuel type, and filter by distance or price.
Additionally, the greenslips.com.au fuel price calculator can be used to instantly see the latest, lowest prices for any stations you select. You can favourite a few close to work or home or even check fuel prices before an intended trip.
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Tyre maintenance and car servicing
Tyre maintenance and regular car servicing are crucial aspects of keeping your vehicle fuel-efficient. Here are some detailed tips to help you save money on fuel through proper tyre maintenance and car servicing:
Firstly, ensure your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure. Underinflated tyres can significantly impact fuel economy, so it's important to regularly check your tyre pressure and adjust it when necessary. You can find the recommended pressure range on the tyre placard fitted to your vehicle, which considers the load your vehicle is carrying. It's also worth checking the pressure of your spare tyre.
Secondly, regular car servicing ensures your vehicle stays in optimal condition, which helps conserve fuel. During servicing, mechanics can check the alignment of your wheels and tyres. Proper wheel alignment improves fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance, which can decrease fuel consumption by around two per cent.
Additionally, consider removing roof racks, spoilers, or any other items that create unnecessary air resistance. These additions can increase drag, causing your engine to work harder and consume more fuel.
Remember, proper tyre maintenance and regular servicing not only help improve fuel efficiency but also enhance your vehicle's handling, performance, and tyre life.
To further enhance fuel savings, you can utilise fuel price apps and websites, which are widely available in Australia. These tools allow you to compare fuel prices across different service stations and take advantage of the petrol price cycle, helping you find the best time and place to fill up.
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Drive at optimal speeds and smoothly
Driving at optimal speeds and in a smooth manner is one of the most effective ways to save money on fuel. Speeding burns fuel much faster than driving at a moderate speed. For example, driving at a speed of over 110 km/h can use up to 25% more fuel than driving at 90 km/h or lower. Therefore, it is recommended to drive at around 80 km/h on highways instead of 100 km/h to save fuel, although this optimal speed may vary depending on your vehicle's specifications.
Additionally, driving smoothly by anticipating the flow of traffic and accelerating and braking gently can significantly improve fuel efficiency. Smooth driving techniques can lower your fuel bill by up to 30%. This includes maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden stops and starts, which waste fuel.
Another way to optimise your driving speed is to plan your routes efficiently. This involves avoiding congested areas or peak traffic hours, which can help you maintain a consistent speed and reduce unnecessary acceleration and deceleration.
Furthermore, removing any unnecessary items from your car, such as roof racks or spoilers, can improve your vehicle's aerodynamics and reduce air resistance. This, in turn, will help you save fuel.
By following these speed and smoothness optimisation techniques, you can significantly reduce your fuel consumption and, consequently, your fuel expenses.
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Consider fuel-efficient vehicles
If you're in the market for a new car, you may want to consider a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a sure way to never pay for petrol or diesel again, and there are now more new and affordable electric cars to choose from in Australia than ever before. PHEVs, or plug-in hybrid vehicles, are also a good option, combining electric propulsion with a petrol engine to deliver improved fuel economy.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, smaller vehicles tend to have lower fuel consumption than larger, less efficient vehicles. For example, hatchbacks and small sedans have long been the territory of hybrids, and some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles with petrol engines include the Toyota Yaris, the Mazda-2, and the Suzuki Swift.
If you need a larger vehicle, there are now many hybrid SUVs on the market, such as the Toyota RAV4, which combines a hybrid powertrain with the practicality of an SUV. There are also diesel options, such as the Audi Q5, which is known as the most fuel-efficient diesel SUV model in the Australian market.
When considering fuel efficiency, it's important to look at the "litres per 100km" metric, which indicates the distance you can travel on a certain amount of fuel. A lower number means better fuel efficiency. For example, a vehicle with a fuel consumption of 5.0L/100km will travel 800 kilometres from full to empty. However, it's important to remember that a vehicle's true fuel economy can differ based on various driving conditions and your approach to driving, including vehicle weight, acceleration, weather, air-conditioning use, tyre pressures, and the route taken.
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Plan journeys and carpool
Planning your journeys and carpooling are excellent ways to save money on fuel. Firstly, planning your journeys can help you spend less time in the car, reducing fuel costs. When planning your car trips, consider whether public transport, cycling, e-bikes, or walking are more cost-effective options for part or all of your journey.
Additionally, carpooling or ridesharing can significantly reduce fuel expenses. By sharing journeys with others, you can decrease the number of cars on the road and save money on fuel. If you regularly commute with colleagues or friends, consider taking turns driving and sharing the fuel costs. This way, you can benefit from having fewer cars on the road and lower fuel consumption for each vehicle.
Furthermore, planning your journeys can help you make informed decisions about when and where to fill up your car. In Australia's largest cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, petrol prices tend to follow a predictable cycle known as the "petrol price cycle." Prices increase sharply for two weeks and then gradually decrease over nearly five weeks. By planning your journeys, you can take advantage of this cycle and fill up your tank towards the end of the cheaper part of the cycle.
To make the most of the petrol price cycle, you can utilise fuel price apps or websites. These tools allow you to compare fuel prices across different service stations in your area. By keeping track of the price cycle and using these apps, you can identify the best times and places to refuel your car at the lowest prices. This strategy can result in significant savings, as demonstrated by a Sydney motorist in 2023 who saved $407 by following price cycles and using fuel apps.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to save money on fuel in Australia. Firstly, you can take advantage of the 'petrol price cycle' by filling up towards the end of the cheap part of the cycle. Secondly, you can use fuel apps and websites to compare prices and find the cheapest fuel. Thirdly, you can improve your driving habits by removing unnecessary items from your car, driving smoothly and staying within the speed limit to reduce fuel consumption. Finally, you can consider downsizing to a more fuel-efficient vehicle or switching to an electric car.
The 'petrol price cycle' refers to the cyclical nature of petrol prices in Australia's largest cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Prices increase sharply over two weeks, then decrease gradually over five weeks. By understanding this cycle, motorists can save money by filling up during the cheaper part of the cycle.
There are over 40 fuel price apps and websites operating in Australia, allowing users to compare fuel prices in their local area. Some apps also provide alerts when fuel prices are at their lowest, helping motorists save money by filling up at the optimal time.
There are several ways to improve your driving habits to reduce fuel consumption. Removing roof racks, spoilers and other unnecessary items from your car can improve its aerodynamics. Driving smoothly, staying within the speed limit and maintaining correct tyre pressure can also significantly reduce fuel usage.
