Feeling like your car is guzzling up more and more of your money? Petrol prices are stressful and can take up a fair chunk of your precious money each month. We’ve done the research and found a few easy ways you can save on petrol when you’re driving.
Never forget a service
Keeping your car in good knick – that means being strict on your annual service! – is a massive way to save on petrol every time you drive. Research shows that a well looked after car that is up to date on its services can save up to 30% on fuel consumption.
Let’s work that out: if your tank costs R700 to fill up, and let’s say you fill it up three times a month, you’re spending R2 100 a month. Saving 30% of that would be an extra R630 a month – that’s almost a whole other tank to save on petrol alone!
Keep in touch with your car
Sometimes after a long run, or a whole day of playing with the kids, our bodies let us know they’re tired with a few little aches and pains. Your car is similar and although you’re taking it for an annual service you need to keep in touch with the little things too. Simple things like sticky breaks, dirty oil and filters, worn spark plugs and rings, bad tyres and poor wheel alignment can all negatively impact your fuel consumption. Not to mention drag from loose bumpers or broken windows, which we all loathe to fix but really need to. Sometimes you gotta put in a little money first to save on petrol later!
No hoarding
If you’re a bit of a hoarder – or just a little lazy when you get out the car, we’ve all been there – you may be weighing down your car causing unnecessary extra fuel consumption. The heavier your car is, the more petrol it needs. So clear out anything that could be making a difference and unpack as much out of your car as possible.
Stick to the limit
‘Stepping on it’ causes high revs and hard breaking, all of which sap petrol. These are small habits we all build from rushing around trying to get through our to-do list and be on time, but they’re big issues if you’re trying to save on petrol. Try be as organised as possible to drive a little slower, you’ll spend less on your tank, be much safer and your chances of an expensive speeding fine will diminish!
Looking to invest in a new family car? We’ve written about the new Honda HR-V here.
ALSO SEE 4 TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN SAVE ELECTRICITY AT HOME
