Cut petrol costs by 25 percent

Rising petrol prices have eaten into household budgets for millions of Australian drivers and research shows the cost of fuel is set to rise again in coming months.

Motorists may see petrol prices moving towards $1.70 a litre at peak times as the dollar weakens and global oil prices rise, experts suggest.

But there’s a very simple way to save money on petrol: slow down. A car speeding at 110km/h uses up to 25 percent more fuel than one cruising at 90km/h, according to the federal government’s Green Vehicle Guide.

However, you can drive at the same speed and still save on petrol by sticking to a few simple techniques, according to automotive engineer Anthony Sale of Powertrain.

“Stamping on the brakes and then accelerating hard is efficient driving’s worst enemy. An efficient driver is a smooth driver,” he said.

Eco-driving

The federal government’s Green Vehicle Guide recommends driving at a good distance from the car in front so you can anticipate traffic movements and minimise fuel use by avoiding sudden breaking and accelerating.

An engine runs most efficiently between 1500 and 2500 rpm (lower in diesels), according to the website.

“To maintain these low revs you should change up through the gears as soon as practical and before the revs reach 2500 rpm,” it said.

Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum. Also, switching off the engine when stopped for an extended period of time and restarting when necessary uses less fuel than idling.

There are times when you can cut your fuel usage to zero: by cruising in gear as you slow down to a junction or roundabout. Many drivers occasionally put the car into neutral and let it coast as it slows, which is a no-no, according to Sale.

“Lifting off the throttle, rather than putting it in neutral, means you will use no fuel at all,” he said, adding that it is safer, too.

Before you drive

Remove excess clutter from your car and take off roof racks if they are not in use to reduce the weight of your car. The lighter your car is, the less fuel it will use.

Under-inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving, which means your engine has to work harder and so more fuel is used. Over time, tyres will naturally leak a bit of air. Checking them regularly and maintaining pressures can improve fuel consumption by up to 2 percent.

The car counts

Before you buy, you should consider a car’s fuel economy. All new light vehicles sold in Australia are required to display a Fuel Consumption Label on the front windscreen.

Green Vehicle Guide said the label is designed to help motorists make informed choices about the environmental impact of their new car and the cost of running their vehicle. Check out RateCity’s recent report about the cheapest new cars to run or use the federal government’s fuel calculator.

Shop around

As Australians feel hip-pocket pain with rising petrol prices, smart developers are launching online tools and mobile phone petrol price finders to help drivers save money.

Carsguide recently launched a free tool, which allows you to enter your fuel type and postcode to see a list of prices at service stations in your area, along with a map of where they are located. For smart phones with built in GPS, the site will find where you are and show you cheap petrol around you. To use the service, visit carsguide.mobi on your mobile.

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