If you’ve been feeling the financial pinch following the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone.
Across the world, people have been left worse off by the economic damage caused by COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns, and this will have been felt even more by those for whom money was tight even before the pandemic.
People do a lot of unusual things to save money, with one of the main areas where cutbacks are made being their vehicle. From forgoing regular services to attempting quick fixes themselves, there are all kinds of weird and wonderful ways to preserve funds.
For many though, it’s the cost of fuel that is the real killer. In fact, according to figures released by the Guardian, the cost of oil has risen by 60% in the past twelve months alone.
If you’re struggling to afford the costs of filling your petrol tank, take a look at these quick and easy ways to save money on fuel.
- Consider Switching To A Hybrid
If you’re a bit of a petrolhead, but you want to save money on fuel, a hybrid is a great option for you!
Being able to switch from electric to petrol or diesel allows you to save money on your fuel and benefit from certain tax reductions, all while still being able to experience the excitement of a fuel-powered drive when you want a greater thrill on the road.
Hybrids use 30% less fuel per mile than conventional fuel-burning vehicles, meaning you can get good savings on your fuel without having to go fully electric. Hybrids are also a good option from the point of view of practicality, because you have access to a fuel tank if you’re not able to get to a charging station before the electricity runs out.
- Save Weight
The greater the mass of your car and its contents, the greater the amount of fuel that will be used to move it. This is common sense, but many drivers are prone to carrying around large loads in their car that they don’t need.
Use this as a helpful prompt to give your car a spring clean. Leave your first aid kit in your car, along with safety equipment, spare tire, and perhaps a minimal store of extra fuel, but everything else can go.
Get rid of any old rubbish that’s hanging around, leave work materials at your office, and clear out the clutter. The more you can remove, the more you will save.
If you don’t need it, bin it. Every penny counts!
- Get With The Times: Use Your Satnav
The development in transport technology over the past couple of centuries has been pretty staggering, and satnavs are a great example of a recent invention that has changed the way we drive.
There once was a time when they were very inaccurate and useless at keeping up with any changes to smaller roads – especially if you were driving around rural areas. But in recent years the technology has improved, and now you can get more or less wherever you need to go with minimal fuss.
Satnavs aren’t just for getting you where you need to be, though. Now, you can use them to tell you which is the longest route, and which has the most traffic. This is an excellent way of cutting down your fuel costs, as if your car is travelling a longer distance, it will use more fuel. Likewise, if your motor is running and your car is going very slowly (or even stopped altogether) due to excess traffic, your vehicle will also be burning off unnecessary fuel.
Use your satnav to your advantage by skipping ahead of the queues and taking shortcuts. You’ll save yourself time and money in the long run, and you might even get to drive through somewhere new!
- Keep Your Car In Good Condition
The better condition your car is in, the more efficiently it will run – saving you money on fuel and maintenance costs in the long term. Remember to check your engine fluids, book the vehicle in for regular servicing, and keep your tire pressures topped up.
- Go Easy On The Pedals!
Every time that you hit a pedal, you’re burning fuel.
Reduce the amount that you use the pedals by only accelerating and braking when absolutely needed. Get your car to the speed it needs to go, and only slow down when you have to.
Slowly accelerating and decelerating reduces the amount of fuel your car burns, and also decreases the amount of pressure that you put on your brake pads. However, make sure to also drive safely and consistently to avoid the risk of collisions with other road users.
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