Sylvie Willis
With fuel prices soaring, many drivers are looking for ways to save money at the pump. Luckily, there are several strategies you can use to get cheap car fuel. From finding the cheapest petrol prices to using fuel cards and apps, there are plenty of ways to cut costs. Improving your car's fuel efficiency and joining motoring clubs for discounts are also great ways to save money. So, whether you're driving a fuel-efficient car or an SUV, you can keep your tank full and your wallet happy by exploring these cost-cutting options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use a fuel app | FuelCheck, FuelWatch, MyFuel, FuelCheck TAS, MotorMouth, Fuel Map, GasBuddy, Petrol Spy, NRMA, RACQ |
| Motoring clubs | NRMA, RACQ, RAC, RACT, Coles Express, Linkt, AFL Live Official App, CarSales |
| Fuel cards | fuelGenie, Fleetone, Esso National, JET |
| Loyalty schemes | Nectar points, Tesco vouchers, Tesco Clubcard, My Morrisons, Nectar loyalty points |
| Driving style | Avoid sharp acceleration and screeching brakes, make the most of the car's momentum, avoid braking frequently |
| High-performance fuels | Only use if you have a sports car or have been specifically advised |
| Filling the tank | Avoid filling the tank to the top as it adds weight to the car |
| Cheaper fuel stations | Local supermarket |
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What You'll Learn
Use a fuel app to find the cheapest fuel prices in your area
One of the easiest ways to save money on fuel is to use a fuel app. These apps show you up-to-date fuel prices, so you can find out who is offering the cheapest deal in your area. You can also use them to find and compare fuel prices across specific areas.
There are several fuel apps available that can help you find the cheapest fuel prices in your area. PetrolPrices, for example, is a fuel price comparison app that allows you to compare prices near you or for a specific destination across the UK. The app also offers other features such as a virtual garage to help you keep track of your MOT dates and exclusive offers related to your car.
GasBuddy is another popular fuel app that helps you find the best gas prices in your area. The app also offers shopping and dining deals, and you can earn GasBack to spend at the pump using your Pay with GasBuddy+ card.
If you're in Australia, there are several apps that can help you find the cheapest fuel prices, including FuelCheck (NSW), FuelWatch (WA), MyFuel NT, and FuelCheck TAS. Third-party apps like MotorMouth, Fuel Map, and Petrol Spy are also available. Additionally, motoring organizations like NRMA and RACQ offer fuel discounts at selected petrol stations for their members.
The 7-Eleven app is another option, featuring a 'Fuel Lock Feature' that lets you search for nearby 7-Eleven stations and lock in your price for a week.
Using a fuel app can help you save a significant amount of money on fuel each year. For example, the average PetrolPrices user can save over £200 on fuel a year, while Canstar's researchers found that fuel prices could vary by about 13.2c/L on average within one local government area, equating to a potential saving of about $115 per year for a large family car.
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Use a fuel card to get bonuses and discounts
Using a fuel card is a great way to get access to exclusive bonuses and discounts on your car fuel. Fuel cards are issued by employers to drivers to simplify fuel purchases, track expenses, and benefit from big discounts. They are also available for individuals looking to save money on fuel purchases.
There are several fuel card providers, each with its own unique benefits. For instance, Relay Payments offers detailed fuel reports, saving office staff time and effort. Relay also enables carriers, owner-operators, and individual drivers to gain greater control over their costs and processes. TCS Fuel Card is another provider with no transaction fees and low costs. TCS is known for providing big discounts on diesel. AtoB fuel cards are accepted at over 99% of truck stops and fuel stations nationwide, giving you access to discounts and fuel rewards.
Fuel cards also come with additional benefits like discounts at participating service stations, and low-cost retreads. Some cards offer bulk fuel discounts and help you avoid interest fees. Cards like Shell and AtoB offer prepaid options that don't require credit checks.
When choosing a fuel card, it is important to evaluate your needs and select a card with appropriate network coverage, discounts, and fees. While physical cards are convenient, they are vulnerable to card skimming and fuel theft. Digital solutions may be a better option for added security and convenience.
By using a fuel card, you can save money on your fuel purchases and take advantage of the various benefits offered by different providers.
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Drive efficiently by avoiding sharp acceleration and frequent braking
Driving efficiently is a great way to save money on fuel. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to avoid sharp acceleration and frequent braking. This is because accelerating too hard and braking late and hard can lower gas mileage by 15-30% on highways and 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic. Smooth, gradual acceleration and anticipating traffic to avoid sudden stops are key to achieving this efficiency.
When you accelerate sharply, you use more fuel to get going, and when you brake, you are essentially converting the energy you've paid to put into the car into heat. By making the most of your car's momentum and allowing yourself to slow naturally, you can save on fuel. For example, if you can safely roll gradually up to a traffic light as it changes from red to green without stopping, it is more efficient than stopping and restarting.
Aggressive driving habits also increase wear and tear on your vehicle, creating a greater need for repairs and compromising its safety. For example, hard braking significantly decreases the lifespan of the brakes and wears out the pads, requiring them to be replaced more often. It also places more pressure on the ball joints, suspension, and wheel bearings. By adopting safer driving habits, you can reduce the likelihood of accidents and lower your insurance and auto repair costs.
Telematics systems can be a helpful tool for monitoring and improving your driving habits. These systems provide real-time feedback on driving behaviour, helping you understand how your actions impact fuel consumption. They can track speed, acceleration, and braking patterns, providing actionable insights to help you drive more efficiently.
Overall, by driving smoothly and efficiently, you can save money on fuel and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, leading to significant cost savings over time.
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Weigh up the cost of driving further to get cheaper fuel
Whether or not it's worth driving further to get cheaper fuel depends on several factors, including your car's fuel consumption, the cost of fuel, and the distance you're driving.
For example, let's say you have a large family car that consumes about 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres (or 0.072 litres per kilometre) on average. Using an average standard unleaded price of 196.5c/L, that works out to a cost of about 14 cents per kilometre travelled. So, if you drove an extra 10 kilometres to get cheaper fuel, that would cost you about $1.40. Now, let's say you're able to save 10c/L by driving those extra 10 kilometres. That would result in a savings of $6.30 when filling up your 63-litre tank. In this case, the savings on fuel would outweigh the extra cost of driving a longer distance.
However, it's important to consider other factors as well. For instance, the time and effort involved in driving a longer distance may not be worth the savings for some people. Additionally, driving a longer distance can increase the wear and tear on your vehicle, which could result in additional costs.
To make the most of your fuel, it's recommended to improve your car's fuel efficiency by keeping your tyres at the right pressure, servicing your vehicle regularly, and adopting driving habits that reduce fuel consumption, such as avoiding sharp acceleration and frequent braking.
Using fuel apps or loyalty programs can also help you save money on fuel without having to drive further. These tools can help you find the cheapest fuel prices in your area or take advantage of discounts and rewards.
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Consider buying a fuel-efficient car
If you're in the market for a new car, consider buying a fuel-efficient car. This is a great way to save money on fuel in the long run.
Firstly, you'll want to consider the size of the car. Smaller, lighter vehicles tend to be less expensive and offer better fuel mileage. If you're driving in the city, a smaller hybrid car might be a good choice as it is easier to park and offers better mileage for city driving. If you need a car for towing or heavy use, consider a diesel vehicle. Diesel engines are more powerful and 30%-35% more efficient than similarly-sized gasoline engines.
Secondly, consider the drivetrain of the car. Simplify the drivetrain by opting for a front-wheel-drive vehicle, which is the most efficient. All-wheel and four-wheel-drive vehicles are the least fuel-efficient. You could also consider getting a car with a constantly variable transmission (CVT). CVTs use belts and pulleys to create an infinite number of gears, which helps keep the engine running efficiently.
Thirdly, be mindful of any extra features on the car. Some features can increase aerodynamic drag, pulling extra power from the engine and using more fuel. For example, permanent roof racks can increase drag, while power seats can add weight to the car, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
Finally, remember to maintain your fuel-efficient vehicle regularly to ensure it is running at its best.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to save money on car fuel. Here are some suggestions:
- Use a fuel app to find the cheapest fuel prices in your area.
- Drive efficiently by avoiding sharp acceleration and frequent braking.
- Avoid filling your tank to the top, as it adds weight to your car and increases fuel consumption.
- Consider using a fuel card to get discounts and loyalty rewards at certain gas stations or supermarkets.
- Compare prices and shop around to find the best deals.
High-performance fuels are not necessary for most cars and can be too pricey for regular use. However, you may consider using them occasionally (every third or fourth tank) to keep your engine clean and efficient.
It depends on your car's fuel consumption, how far you're driving, and the cost of fuel. Calculate the potential savings to determine if it's worth driving the extra distance.
Filling up at night may result in a minuscule difference in fuel volume due to temperature changes, but it is generally not significant enough to impact your decision.
Yes, many motoring clubs offer fuel discounts at selected petrol stations. For example, NRMA, RACQ, RAC, and RACT provide discounts at specific stations for their members. Check with your motoring club to see what benefits they offer.
