Saving Petrol

From the type of car you drive to how you drive it, there are many small details that can all add up to how much fuel you burn on the road. By making a few small changes to your driving habits, you can reduce your carbon footprint as a motorist.

Driving tips to help you save petrol and reduce emissions

Do not accelerate or decelerate suddenly. This pushes your car to work harder, burning more fuel and producing more emissions. Driving smoothly, accelerating slowly, and maintaining a steady speed whenever possible will reduce the amount of petrol you use and help you become a more efficient driver.

Don't pump your accelerator while stationary. This floods the engine and wastes fuel.

Drive in the correct gear so that your car doesn't waste fuel in too low a gear, or labour in too high a gear when going up hill.

Drive off immediately after starting your car, and drive gently until the car has warmed up. Most modern vehicles don't require a lot of warming up before they can be driven.

Complete as many errands in a single trip as possible. You'll reduce your time spent on the road and shorten your kilometres driven.

Switch off your car when sitting in heavy traffic. Your engine continues to use fuel even while sitting idle, so the less time you sit idle, the less fuel you'll use.

Use your air-conditioning less as this increases fuel consumption.

Car usage and maintenance tips to help you save petrol and reduce emissions

Have your car serviced and tuned regularly. Regular servicing keeps your engine running at its peak, and ensures your vehicle's fuel efficiency is maintained.

Keep your tyres inflated to manufacturer's recommendations. Properly inflated tyres help maintain your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Ensuring that your wheels are balanced and aligned will ensure your tyres wear more evenly, maintaining fuel efficiency and helping them last longer.

Reduce the amount of weight you carry in your car. Heavier loads use more fuel, so removing excess weight from the boot or those bulky bike racks will help keep fuel consumption down. 700L of fuel per year is used for every 1/2 tonne of weight carried.

Minimise wind resistance. Closing your windows and removing roof racks when not in use will help you achieve a smoother drive.