News

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 .

Join the conversation

FiftyUp Club
5 Ways to Save on Petrol

Share your views with other members. 

Want to leave a comment? or .
Read our moderation policy here.
Bernd
Bernd from QLD commented:

One thing that many people saying is that 0.438 of a cent in the petrol excise is no big deal. They forget that this is applicable to the oil companies, who in turn will pass the increase on to the motorist. And another increase, the amount which will be tied to inflation, will follow in 6 months time. Estimated revenue for the government will be around $2.5 billion. The legislation bill for for these increases will go before parliament in 12 months. If the legislation fails to get passed, the $2.5 billion will be returned to the oil companies by the government. So in this case the oil companies will stand make huge profits over and above their normal profit, paid for by Australian motorists. The extra increase will also increase the cost of living, as all goods are delivered to retailers by truck. Trucking companies will pass the increase cost on to the retailers, who in turn will pass it on to the consumer. 

warren
warren from NSW replied to Bernd:

It’s still no big deal Bernard – 42 cents a week. Your fact re this regulation is correct for once. The intent is to put pressure on the Greens and Labor to pass legislation so as to not give them a refund. This is a reasonable strategy to overcome political bloody-mindedness. One point though, you really need to investigate rebates for trucking companies and country folk. You are inclined to perpetrate furphies? 

richard
richard from VIC commented:

Woolly from Vic. Bad driving habits can have a big affect on fuel consumption, hard acceleration followed by hard braking, constant moving of the accelerator pedal are common faults. There are certainly some mysterious anomalies in pricing, Bairnsdale is consistently up to 10c cheaper than Melb. & in one survey was the cheapest in Australia. I like the idea of a boycott on all but one brand for a month at a time, would certainly get a result, although a week at a time might do it without driving them out of business. 

Robert
Robert from NSW commented:

The Fuel tax is set to rise next Monday adding further pressure to the soaring cost of living. What rubbish. Please stop downloading comments from the labor and green parties. It is comments such as this forum makes that keeps the country back. 

warren
warren from NSW commented:

simple......catch a bus 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

I find that when driving around the city (Melbourne) cruising just in under 65kph assists fuel economy, resisting sudden acceleration is another. Country driving I find my landcruiser (diesel) settles neatly at 95kph even when towing my C'van. Country usage without C'van I get about 9Lt to 100K; with the fan on tow we average around 13L to 100K. We also collect Shell and Caltex shopper dockets ... they can be a help. 

Dick
Dick from QLD commented:

What a lot of BS, "Soaring cost of living" and suggesting petrol is the boogie man. The Govt is asking (taking) as much as .20cents a month from the average motorist!! I agree "what is the big deal". Try throwing rocks at Coles & Woolworths who have over 70% of the Fuel market where prices fluctuate more than 25/30 cents/litre weekly/monthly. When the petrol goes up surprise ! there are grocery specials on offer. Costs savings are a mix of common sense someone said watch the tyre pressure, excellent suggestion. Wrong pressure will cost you mileage irrespective how careful you are. Whoever wrote the 5Ways to save seems to be a kindergarten teacher, most if not all modern cars have little effect on mileage from air con as the modern motor is programmed for the best outcome with air con taking very little of the engine power. Prove it! try idle and watch fluctuation when you turn the air con off/on. Be surprised if you see any.. 

warren
warren from NSW replied to Dick:

Reasonable comment Dick - but petrol market share for Coles and Woolworths of '70%' figure is wrong. Woolworths 24%, WesFarmers (Coles ) 24%, Independents 17%, then the balance taken up by Caltex, BP Aust and 7-Eleven network. The market share figures do fluctuate though. 

Dick
Dick from QLD replied to warren:

Appreciate your point Warren, probably a bit general/sweeping on my part but the affect is there. The Grocery duopoly has a marked affect on fuel sales, 48% of the market has to be felt by the average consumer to a far greater degree than the Gov.'s "tax" threat in my view. However the Govt has basically been silent and or ineffective to control this trend and why wouldn't they. The Govt is benefiting as well from the fluctuating fuel prices. The big commodities/services such as alcohol and insurance are being manipulated as well and sadly the Fifty Up Club is not helping by pushing the Coles bandwagon for Insurance. There will come a day when there will be no choice than to pay the higher prices once the market forces take more control. I won't labour the Insurance market here but anyone that cares to check they will note there are a handful of companies now working under a number of different trading entities to get business. However there is no legislation on excess profits. 

John
John from NSW commented:

Check your tyre pressurs 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

From what I've heard the rise in excise is going to be about 40c per week on average. So over three months that's about $5. A cup of coffee at the shops costs, what $4.50 or so? So that means that the excise is going to cost us one cup of coffee every three months. Really, what's the big deal? The big hoohah by the Greens and the ALP makes me sick. 

Ian
Ian from NSW commented:

Oh! my God the world is coming to an end, half of one cent rise each 6 months, yes 6 months. From one side of Sydney to the other fuel prices vary 15 to 20 cents monthly. On the Central Coast our fuel prices have been as high as 25 cents difference compared to Sydney. A Shell Servo at Killarney Vale has been stuck on 149.7 for almost 3 months with no fluctuation in pricing. It would appear that the Central Coast is subsidising those on fluctuating fuel pricing structure. My question would be " why does there have to be a price cycle" or is it that the Fuel Companies have conditioned all of us to accept what they price fuel at.????????? 

Malcolm
Malcolm from QLD commented:

When it comes to Petrol Prices the Government and the ACCC have no guts to tackle the Oil Companies, 

Comment Guidelines