Ways of reducing Petrol Costs?

G

grahamc

Guest
Hi there - with the petrol prices going the way they are, I'm looking for a way to reduce my Petrol costs. I drive a 1.3 litre. I do about 500 miles a week. I do not own a company, and work will not pay my costs.

I have looked into Fuel Cards from various companies (Maxol etc) but are mainly for companies, or dont offer discounts just gimmicks.

Anyone know of any service station chain that offer real discounts on loyalty cards for people like me with just one car and not a fleet?
 
Hi grahamc, don't know of any offers from garages, but one way that you can get a few quid back would be to get a Tesco visa card. Regardless of where you use it, you get Tesco points (1 point for evey €2 spent) so if you put €50 petrol in your car you will get 25 points regardless of whether you buy in Esso, Statoil, Texaco......etc.
At the end of each quarter you'll get a decent few quid off your shopping. I know it's not reducing your petrol costs but at least it's something. also, Tesco petrol stations do seem to be a couple of cent cheaper than most.

Hope this helps

PS in case you're wondering, I don't work for Tesco, anymore!
 
Tesco dicounts on groceries is probably better than any loyalty card.

Get low rolling resistance tyres as opposed to cheap or sport ones.
Keep tyre pressure up.
Keep oil topped up and air filter clean.

always fill up to the brim at the cheapest petrol station in your locality.
change driving style to a smoother style.
Slipstream in traffic while still retaining your 2 second safety gap.
Use ventialation system and keep windows rolled up.

Not all 1.3 litre cars are the same. If it is a Ford it is probably heavier on fuel than your average 1.6.
 

Having the radio on also decreases mpg, but main points would be Tyre choice and pressure as mentioned by Dipole although not sure about the slip streaming, pretty dangerous.
 
Lifestyle adjustments are obviously difficult, but will solve the issue at root cause. Change job/house so that you live close to your place of work and/or change job so you're doing less milage.
 
rpmacmurphy said:
Having the radio on also decreases mpg,QUOTE]

?? Negligible- as an electrical load.

Use of Air Con (if fitted) will increase fuel consumption significantly as well as sapping a few BHP
Click to expand...
 
From dictionary.com

If by slipstream you mean tailgate, this is definitely very bad advice.
 
Dipole said:
Not all 1.3 litre cars are the same. If it is a Ford it is probably heavier on fuel than your average 1.6.
Click to expand...

Sorry but that's total rubbish.

500 miles per week - looked at buying a diesel?

To minimise fuel consumption, keep your car in top condition, seviced regularly, and make sure tyres are corrected inflated. Ensure the brakes are not binding (a common fault) and all windows are shut. Using the radio will make a negligable difference. If the engine is running and the battery is fully charged, the alternator will still be turning, even if no electricity is being generated.

Use the a/c in moderation, and similarly a sunroof. Remove any roof racks etc.

Clean out the car and minimise it's weight.

The biggest single improvement will come from adjusting your driving style. Anticipation, smoothness, proper use of the gearbox, and easy braking will all help.
 
Slipstreaming is good advice.

Professionel road users use this method all the time and I tempered it with advice to maintain correct distance from car in front.

Road cars are not racing cars, they don't exploit aerodynamic downforce so braking is primarily a matter of mechanical grip.
 
[broken link removed]

1.4 ford escort engine heavier on fuel that 1.6
1.3 is not much better.

Not total rubbish.

Go to tech spec section of parkers.co.uk for exact figures.
 
I tempered it with advice to maintain correct distance from car in front.
Click to expand...

you mentioned
retaining your 2 second safety gap.
Click to expand...

If you are confident in your ability to react at all times to unanticipated hazards (such as the car in front of you braking suddenly) within 2 seconds, and no longer, then fair enough. Otherwise, and to the extent that your confidence is not fulfilled in reality, (most drivers overestimate their driving ability) then your actions would endanger the physical safety of yourself and other road users.
 
Using any electrical appliances/components in a car increases fuel consumption. The amount they increase it by is relevant to their wattage (aircon and lights being the real guzzlers).

The optimum handling of the gears and accellerator is important. If you have a revcounter, use it as per the car manufacturers manual.

Treat the accellerator as if there was "an egg underneath it".

At speed, windows and sunroofs open, do create drag, and also increase the fuel consumption.
 
proud_darcy said:
[broken link removed]

1.4 ford escort engine heavier on fuel that 1.6
1.3 is not much better.

Not total rubbish.

Go to tech spec section of parkers.co.uk for exact figures.
Click to expand...

The poster said it was a 1.3.

Assuming it's a current model it could only be a Ka or Fiesta.

Neither is heavy on fuel, nor any heavier than a 1.6.

Infact the following is a quote from Parkers on the Ka...

Ford Ka (96 on)

Predictably inexpensive to run with [broken link removed] parts and servicing, good fuel economy on the 1.3 - the SportKa likes a little drink if you're enthusiastic with it. Depreciation is reasonably good on all but the top-spec models.
 
Your assuming that someone who is on a budget is driving a current model car which is an unsafe assumption.

Also, if they are driving 500 miles in a week then the better extra-urban fuel consumption of a larger engine in the same size body swings the pendulum further in it's favour.
 

Don't know about that Darce.

I said current model, not new.

The Ka has been around a good few years at this stage.

Enough of this anyway. Buy a diesel. Sorted.
 
I was in a similar position myself I do 600 Miles a week.Was driving a petrol Mondeo,for a full tank 13 Gallons I was getting a little over 400 Miles.Then I changed to a Hyundai and I was getting a little over 400 Miles for 10 Gallons,the Hyundai was newer.Then I decided a diesel was the way to go,however I didn't want to pay 8-10K for a diesel as I would need to do a lot of Mileage to get a decent return if any on this,so I bought a 97 Ford Escort diesel 65K on clock (1800 Euro),and for 10 Gallons I get around 540 Miles if I keep speed around 60-65Mph.Personally I don't care about Brand,stye or colour,it's reliable,a few little niggles but starts every morning.Some of the newer diesels do 60Mpg but too rich for me.Downside you need more regular servicing,upside the Engine lasts longer,oil change every 5000 Miles,Filter every 10K.Still works out Cheaper,and I always buy my fuel in Tesco,if I did my shoppping there once over 40 Euro I'd get 5C a litre off!Let me know what you decide as I'd be keen to see what better options are out there...other than a Prius!!!!
 
Heard this on DCAL the other day, it's www.motorcard.ie, So if you are not near tesco etc and have a statoil station near by, it might save you a few bob if you are a daily commuter.

S.
 
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