Ways to save on petrol costs
JOBURG - Just a few months into 2014 and motorists have had to deal with two hefty petrol price hikes.
Petrol prices will increase by 36c per litre to bring the total price to new record highs of R14.32 for unleaded petrol in Gauteng.
Motorists will be forced to find ways to save on petrol costs.
Martin Janse van Rensburg of Budget Insurance suggested car-pooling for colleagues as an affordable way to manage the rising transport costs.
“At the same time, you get to reduce the amount of time you spend at the wheel, and lessen wear and tear on your car. Sharing lifts with just one person means you can cut your fuel costs by half,” he said.
He suggested that the number of people in the car-pool is increased to four as travel costs would be reduced to a quarter. “No other fuel saving method provides such immediate and effective savings.”
Van Rensburg encouraged motorists to use their vehicles less.
He suggested parents to car-pool on school runs and trips to the gym, for instance.
“In countries like the US, it’s commonplace for parents to take turns with others transporting their kids in the same direction,” he explained.
“In South Africa, not so much. The grapple for parking bays outside schools is testament to that.”
Van Rensburg added, “While school car-pools offer the opportunity to save on fuel, it’s also a chance for parents to free up some time for themselves when it’s someone else’s turn to ferry.”
He offered more fuel saving tips:
- Plan your outings and errands so that you can do all of those which are in the same vicinity at the same time rather than taking your car out to travel the same route on different days.
- Don’t speed. The faster you drive the more petrol you use.
- Avoid stop-start driving. This wastes petrol.
- Accelerate slowly; ‘flooring it’ guzzles petrol.
- Don’t ride the clutch or brakes because it increases fuel consumption and will also wear them down faster.
- Keep a manual transmission in the highest gear possible without straining the engine.
- Close the car’s windows when driving. An open window creates a drag that increases fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent.
- Do not carry unnecessary weight in your car because the heavier the load, the more petrol your car uses.
- Optimise the efficiency of your car by carrying out regular services and ensuring that tyres are appropriately inflated.
