Four ways you can start saving on petrol costs

If you drive a car, you also have petrol costs. Depending on how far and how often you drive, these costs can add up week after week and cut deeply into your financial budget. But you need a car to go to work, to run errands or to take your kids places right? Yes and no. Those who live in big cities can usually rely on public transport to get to where they need to go, while others do truly need a car to get from point A to point B.

If you can’t manage to get around without your car, there are still ways to save - in fact, here are 4 ways you can immediately start saving on petrol costs:

1. Never turn your car on and let it sit idling. In the colder months, it may seem like a good idea to start your car so that it's warm by the time you get in it. Or, during the summer months when it’s stiflingly hot, turning on the air conditioner so your car is cool when you get in it to drive, is going to seem like a good idea. However, by starting your car before you get in it, you’re actually wasting petrol and reducing the fuel efficiency of your car. To save on petrol costs, wait until you actually need to start driving before you turn the engine on!

2. If the temperature is comfortable, there's no need to run the air conditioning or drive with the windows down. Doing either (or worse, both) will reduce the petrol mileage you'll get from your car. Of course there are days where it would be unbearable to drive without the windows down or the AC on, but the more you can avoid it, the more you’ll be able to save on petrol.

3. Avoid driving during peak hour times, especially if you have a longer commute. During peak hour you’re going to spend a lot of time going slow or even stopped in traffic. Even if it means leaving your home a little earlier or arriving home later, driving outside of peak hour traffic times will allow you to cruise at normal speeds and therefore save on petrol.

4. Even if you live a long distance from your work, chances are, there is someone who lives close to you that has to travel to the same place or in the same direction as you do. Rather than driving back and forth to work everyday on your own, see if you can find someone to split the commuting costs with. Not only will you save money on petrol, but so will the other person - plus you'll enjoy some company along the way!

As a bonus tip for saving on petrol, make sure you’re not travelling with a lot of weight in your car as this will also increase the amount of petrol you’re using.

Are you in need of a new car right now? If so, check out our loan options for new and used motor vehicles! Once a loan is approved, we can usually get a payment into your bank account within a few hours - so you can start shopping for that new car today!