Yet more great tips on how to save money on your petrol or diesel...
3. Drive less!
I expect that this tip is probably the least popular of all the tips for saving money on petrol. Although, despite this, it is probably also the most effective of all the tips. Taken to its limit, you could reduce your petrol or diesel expenditure by 100%! However much you decide to use this tip, its effects will be immediately felt so it's definitely worth a try.
There are numerous different ways in which you can drive less, use less petrol and ultimately spend less money!
First, try walking short journeys. Walking has huge benefits: saving money on your petrol (of course!), keeping fit, getting to know your local area a bit better, great thinking time... And what I especially like about walking is that you are totally in control of your journey - no traffic jams, no delays, you can go as fast or a slow as you want and you are completely free to stop or take whichever route you like!
Also, consider using public transport, such as the bus or the train, more often. With a bit of planning, using public transport can actually be a much more convenient way to travel. For example, if you're going into town to do a bit of shopping, you don't have to worry about finding a space to park, or having to pay for it. A bus can take you straight to the shops! Also, on busy roads, buses can be faster than cars as they often have their own bus lanes. Another advantage of using public transport is that you don't have to worry about drink-driving. If you want to endulge in a pint or two, you don't have to worry about going over the limit.
Finally, another way to drive less is to combine journeys. Instead of jumping in the car each time you think of something you need, wait until there are several errands you need to run and do them all in a round trip. This will save you time, petrol, and money! Car-sharing is another excellent way to combine journeys. If you know of other people that will be making the same journey as you - why not offer to give them a lift. Then, the next time, they can give you a lift!
4. Drive more efficiently
Many people often overlook this tip, but, once applied, it will have the least impact on how you run your daily life, and so it can be one of the easiest to stick to.
Frist, make sure that your car is in tip top working condition. Make sure all the parts are working properly, change the oil regularly, check the tyre pressure and generally take excellent care of your car. If you treat it well, it will work better for you.
Secondly, the more you are carting about with you, the more petrol you will be using. So check in your boot and remove any items that you don't need. It's amazing how much junk some people drive about with them! I have a friend who used to keep a loo seat in his boot ("just in case", he said).
Next, when you are driving try to avoid unnecessary braking as this can lead to a huge waste of petrol. Avoiding unnecessary braking means don't drive really fast and then have to break suddenly each time you get to a set of traffic lights. Around 50 mph is generally the most efficient speed to drive at.
Also, if you are driving faster than around 40 mph try to keep your windows shut as having them open can cause extra drag and make your car use more petrol.
The air conditioning can use up a lot of your petrol too, so unless it's absolutely necessary, try to avoid switching it on.
Driving on smooth roads can also help reduce fuel consumption. Often, a slightly longer but smoother route will use less petrol than a short bumpy route.
So there you have it. My top tips for saving money on petrol and diesel in a medium-sized nutshell. I hope you find it useful.
Of course, this list is far from exhaustive, and if you know of any other great tips, please feel free to leave a comment and share them with us!
3. Drive less!
I expect that this tip is probably the least popular of all the tips for saving money on petrol. Although, despite this, it is probably also the most effective of all the tips. Taken to its limit, you could reduce your petrol or diesel expenditure by 100%! However much you decide to use this tip, its effects will be immediately felt so it's definitely worth a try.
There are numerous different ways in which you can drive less, use less petrol and ultimately spend less money!
First, try walking short journeys. Walking has huge benefits: saving money on your petrol (of course!), keeping fit, getting to know your local area a bit better, great thinking time... And what I especially like about walking is that you are totally in control of your journey - no traffic jams, no delays, you can go as fast or a slow as you want and you are completely free to stop or take whichever route you like!
Also, consider using public transport, such as the bus or the train, more often. With a bit of planning, using public transport can actually be a much more convenient way to travel. For example, if you're going into town to do a bit of shopping, you don't have to worry about finding a space to park, or having to pay for it. A bus can take you straight to the shops! Also, on busy roads, buses can be faster than cars as they often have their own bus lanes. Another advantage of using public transport is that you don't have to worry about drink-driving. If you want to endulge in a pint or two, you don't have to worry about going over the limit.
Finally, another way to drive less is to combine journeys. Instead of jumping in the car each time you think of something you need, wait until there are several errands you need to run and do them all in a round trip. This will save you time, petrol, and money! Car-sharing is another excellent way to combine journeys. If you know of other people that will be making the same journey as you - why not offer to give them a lift. Then, the next time, they can give you a lift!
4. Drive more efficiently
Many people often overlook this tip, but, once applied, it will have the least impact on how you run your daily life, and so it can be one of the easiest to stick to.
Frist, make sure that your car is in tip top working condition. Make sure all the parts are working properly, change the oil regularly, check the tyre pressure and generally take excellent care of your car. If you treat it well, it will work better for you.
Secondly, the more you are carting about with you, the more petrol you will be using. So check in your boot and remove any items that you don't need. It's amazing how much junk some people drive about with them! I have a friend who used to keep a loo seat in his boot ("just in case", he said).
Next, when you are driving try to avoid unnecessary braking as this can lead to a huge waste of petrol. Avoiding unnecessary braking means don't drive really fast and then have to break suddenly each time you get to a set of traffic lights. Around 50 mph is generally the most efficient speed to drive at.
Also, if you are driving faster than around 40 mph try to keep your windows shut as having them open can cause extra drag and make your car use more petrol.
The air conditioning can use up a lot of your petrol too, so unless it's absolutely necessary, try to avoid switching it on.
Driving on smooth roads can also help reduce fuel consumption. Often, a slightly longer but smoother route will use less petrol than a short bumpy route.
So there you have it. My top tips for saving money on petrol and diesel in a medium-sized nutshell. I hope you find it useful.
Of course, this list is far from exhaustive, and if you know of any other great tips, please feel free to leave a comment and share them with us!
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