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News5 Ways to Save on Petrol
5 Ways to Save on Petrol

5 Ways to Save on Petrol

Tags: Consumer Action Cost of Living Energy
Last updated by Disabled Administrator on

petrol-420x0The Fuel tax is set to rise next Monday adding further pressure to the soaring cost of living.

Average fuel prices have almost doubled since 2002 when they were around 87 cents per litre, according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum. The latest data shows the average price across Australia has soared to $1.49 a litre.

Furthermore, the petrol price cycle and the idea of ‘cheap Tuesdays’ have seemingly disappeared, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

We know Australian motorists are fed up, so we’ve pulled together some tips to save at the bowser.

1.    MotorMouth
MotorMouth helps you find the cheapest petrol prices near you. The website includes a price map, a 7 day buying outlook and plenty of information to compare prices. For smartphone users, they’ve got an app you can download.

 2.    Discounts
Discounted fuel is not limited to the 4-cent shopper dockets from Coles and Woolworths. Discounted gift cards and specials are often available online. I like to keep my on Oz bargain to see what’s around. For example, just yesterday you could get 5% off Caltex Petrol eGift Cards.

3.    Be a mindful driver
You’ve probably heard some of these before, but there’s numerous ways you can become a more fuel-efficient driver. Make your fuel go further by driving in the right gear, stop starting less often, speeding less, using air conditioner sparingly and traveling light.

4.    Fill up when the price of fuel is cheap, not when your petrol tank is empty
If you wait until the red light appears on your dashboard before you start searching for the nearest petrol station you could be paying more than you have to. Try pay more attention to daily price fluctuations and fill up when it’s cheapest. MotorMouth can help you keep track.

 5.    Car-share
If all else fails maybe it’s time to ditch your car. If you have two cars maybe get rid of one. Car sharing might be a better choice than buying and maintaining your own.

Do you have any tips to save on fuel bills?

Originally posted on .

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Bernd
Bernd from QLD commented:

Having relations who used to have country properties, I was always astounded when they were outraged that they could not get fuel rebates from the Government. I would agree with you except for the fact that when they purchased a new vehicle, be it a Truck, Ute, 4 wheel drive [ Rover ], Reaper etc. it came under Farm Equipment and therefore was tax exempt. If they had paid the tax I would have no problem with farmers getting a fuel rebate. The real problem regarding the petrol/diesel rebates is the rebates going to the big Mining companies, they get it because of their claim that the do not use public roads. 

Susan
Susan from QLD commented:

Not much choice in Rockhampton. can't share as only 4 employees at work on different times. sue 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

Bring back DISCOUNTED BP fuel cards. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT DOUBLE OF WHAT I DID. 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD commented:

Sorry members, I tried and we will still offer the discount to you by ourselves. See reply from Fifty up below. ------------------------------------------ Hi Kevin, "Thank you for your expression of interest in providing a product to FiftyUp Club Members. Unfortunately, our schedule has been planned out for the next six months so we are not interested in offering your product to our members". "Your details have been kept on file and we will be in touch if any opportunities regarding the FiftyUp Club arise in the future". Kind Regards, XXXX (I won't name the person who replied). Thanks for trying Kev 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD commented:

I am still awaiting a response from Fifty Up Club, I have rang the number spoke briefly to Marissa, and got an email from Jess saying we cannot advertise our products on the Fifty Up Club forum (which I agree with). But no one has contacted me or anyone at Lubrication Solutions P/L about our offer to members yet. We have it set up at our end. And I am doing my best to bring it to members before Christmas. Hope someone from management there reads this and gets back to us to discuss arrangements. Can anyone there tell me how we are supposed to offer members a 10% discount on a product that can save them about 20% of their fuel bill? We just want to HELP. 

warren
warren from NSW replied to Kevin:

I remember in 2007 ‘Firepower’s’ petrol-additive peddled a fraudulent 'miracle fuel additive' – is this a similar scheme? 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD replied to warren:

Warren, I am going to have to break this answer into several sections, please read them all. It is good to be sceptical and so we all should be, there are products that are shonky. When dealing with any company especially where money or discounts apply it is best to check the “Credibility, Authenticity, Reliability and Reputation” of any website, company or trader. The easiest ways to do this is by checking the contact section on any website you are dealing with. A reputable company will have contact details clearly listed of real people who can be phoned or contacted easily. It should be a “Registered” company in the country where you buy the goods, and should have a good history and reputation. This can be easily checked through ASIC (Australian Securities and Investment Commission) and any payments made should be though a “secured and trusted website” such as Pay Pal who is an independent regulated payment gateway. XSNano (the new Nano technology additive) is sold by us “Lubrication Solutions P/L” (registered company) trading for decades as “Bi-Tron Australia” (registered business name) we have been providing lubricants and fuel conditioners in Australia for nearly two decades now (with no complaints) myself and my business partner (co-owner) both have our contact details on all sites (good trading record with testimonials to back it up). Anyone with a computer (and you must have one to be reading this) can easily check this information. As members of Fifty Up most of you would remember back in the 50’s and 60’s how amazed you were when valve radios and sitting around the pianola (automated piano for you younger ones) suddenly gave way to Tele Vision where you could see an image from miles away in your own home. Who would have thought that we would now be walking around with our own phones and computers in our pockets? That is due to advancement in Science. 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD replied to Kevin:

Science in fuel oil has also advanced dramatically in the past few decades. Crude oil is engineered to give different qualities for different applications with Viscosity, Tenacity and heat range are altered to suit different engines and tolerances. The first major breakthrough was “Molecular Engineering “ where the scientists and chemists could alter the product at the molecule level. Now the amazing breakthrough is “Nano Engineering” (a Nano is one million times smaller than a molecule). Nano is a measure in length - 1 nm (nanometer) = 0.000000001m (meter) = 0.000001mm (millimeter). A person would be totally ignorant if they thought that science could not improve the burn rate of fuel over the past fifty years. They can, but fuel companies don’t want to add the technology to fuel and don’t want you to know that you can easily reduce the amount of fuel you buy from them by using additives. Who makes money from selling fuel? Think about it for a minute. With protecting the environment and reducing emissions high on the agenda lubricants have been removed from fuel oil. We all heard about the Lead being taken out of Petrol and Sulfur from Diesel mainly because of the reported engine and fuel pump damage at the time. But did you also hear anyone mention the removal of ZDDP (zinc dithiophosphate) (one of the main lubricants) from oil? Read on. 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD replied to Kevin:

Why do I need fuel additives? Science has made some astonishing advancements over the past few decades in the field of lubricants and fuels. Engineering in fuels and lubricants has gone through the molecular engineering stage to the new nano engineering field. (A nano is one millionth of a molecule). Some new fuel additives and lubricants were developed in China with a specific goal set. Scientists were given the task to create a product that would reduce pollution and reduce fuel consumption. Two of the biggest problems facing China today are pollution from vehicle emissions and the shortage of fuel oil. New Nano technology applied to fuel can increase the burn rate of fuel and thus reducing up to 98% of exhaust emissions and providing more power and better fuel economy by as much as 28%. Over the past decades the automobile industry, oil companies and government have also been trying to reduce emissions without reducing fuel consumption. After all who would design a new product that would REDUCE sales? And governments rely heavily on fuel tax in their budgets. Products were removed or dramatically reduced in fuel and oils to reduce emissions, the most obvious being the LEAD from petrol and SULFUR from diesel. Catalytic Converters and Selective Catalytic Reduction systems were then introduced to the after burn on engines to further reduce emissions and burn off carbon. But unfortunately the zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) which is one of the main lubricants in oil was destroying the catalytic converters so it too was removed or reduced from most oils. Walk into any auto spares shop and see the vast array of oils on the market and several different oils from each company. You need a university degree to work out which oil is still suitable (or most effective) for the particular engine you have. Bottom line is; You need to be adding your own lubricant back into fuel and oil. 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD replied to Kevin:

Fuel additives not only can add lubricant back to your fuel and oil, but will also reduce the amount of fuel you use. We need to promote the use of approved fuel additives especially with rising cost of fuel and increased fuel taxes, so spread the word. Some fuel additives can give up to 28% better fuel economy, reduce up to 98% emissions and increase power up to 34%. It can save you a lot of money. So give them a try yourself. Remember. You can’t change the price of fuel, but you can change the amount of fuel you use. You can Google Lubrication Solutions, Bi-Tron Australia or XSNano for more details on what everyone should know. I do hope this reply was not too long. Regards Kevin Carpenter 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD replied to warren:

This is not a "miracle" it is "scientific fact" Kev 

Kevin
Kevin from QLD replied to Kevin:

I'm sorry, but it appears you have too many discounts available at the moment. See reply from Fifty Up below. -------------------------------- Hi Kevin, "Thank you for your expression of interest in providing a product to FiftyUp Club Members. Unfortunately, our schedule has been planned out for the next six months so we are not interested in offering your product to our members". "Your details have been kept on file and we will be in touch if any opportunities regarding the FiftyUp Club arise in the future". Kind Regards, ***** 

Anna
Anna from NSW commented:

Everyone avoid Caltex this week - tell your family and friends, neighbours and workmates. We can make a change! Will choose another brand next week. 

Mira
Mira from NSW commented:

let's all 

Lynette
Lynette from VIC commented:

Has Fifty Up a Club bothered to read the reviews on the MotorMouth app? Why would anyone bother to pay for an app which is so limiting in a number if ways. There is also a comment saying the ACCC is investigating them. 

Len
Len from QLD commented:

The cost of filling up your car with fuel is a topic generally discussed among seniors,well this will help , Fuelsavers.com.au have a look. 

David
David from VIC commented:

If you cut down on your driving you can save heaps e.g. don't drive to the shops just to buy milk. This makes your milk quite expensive 

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