How to Save Money on Petrol: Practical Driving Tips

Published 30 January 2026

When shopping for a car, choosing one that offers excellent fuel efficiency and good value for money can dramatically reduce your long-term costs. You'll need to weigh up the initial purchase price against ongoing expenses like refuelling or recharging. Don't forget to factor in additional costs such as road tax, your car insurance, and potential repair bills when parts need replacing.

It's tempting to buy a cheap older model, but higher tax and fuel costs can quickly add up. And if it keeps breaking down, you might end up spending more on repairs than the initial purchase price.

Similarly, while electric vehicles offer impressive running efficiency, the substantial upfront cost and potentially higher insurance premiums can make them expensive overall.

That's why a car that balances purchase price with running costs is normally your best bet. When comparing vehicles, focus on their miles per gallon (MPG) ratings to understand real fuel costs. 

Using your car's air conditioning can significantly impact your fuel costs, so it’s important to use it cautiously, especially when fuel prices are constantly fluctuating.

The energy drain is particularly noticeable on shorter journeys. The initial cooling of your car's interior requires the most power—bringing the temperature down from scorching to comfortable takes substantial energy. Once you've reached your desired temperature, maintaining it uses less fuel relatively speaking, making air conditioning more efficient on longer drives.

Opening your windows is typically more fuel-efficient than running the air conditioning, this is because the wind resistance created by open windows at lower speeds has minimal impact on your car's aerodynamics. However, at higher speeds, the drag effect from open windows can increase fuel consumption double the impact of using your A/C.

While it may not be wise to ban air conditioning altogether, using it sparingly helps control costs. Here's how to cool your car efficiently:

• Ventilate first: Open all doors and windows for 10-20 seconds before starting your journey to let hot air escape. 
• Use recirculation mode: once cool, switch to recirculation to maintain temperature with less energy. 
• Adjust fan speed rather than temperature: Set A/C to lowest temperature and control comfort with the fan. 
• Windows down in town: Use natural airflow at speeds below 45mph. 
• A/C on highways: Switch to air conditioning when travelling at higher speeds to reduce drag. 

By following these simple practices, you'll stay comfortable while keeping your fuel consumption, and your costs, under control.

Making sure your tyres are inflated to the right level is important and it's a simple task that can save you a surprising amount of money, as underinflated tyres can significantly impact your fuel economy.

Many people looking to save money at the pumps head straight for the nearest supermarket for cheaper petrol prices. While this is a good starting point, there are even smarter ways to stretch your fuel budget further.

The PetrolPrices app has become the go-to tool for savvy drivers, as it allows you to compare prices for both petrol and diesel in your area, with daily updates to make sure you're getting the most current information.

Other helpful options include Waze, which not only navigates you to your destination but also displays fuel prices along your route.

Downloading one of these apps before your next journey could save you significant money over the year.

When you fill up can be just as important as where you fill up. Recent data shows that midweek consistently offers better fuel prices than weekend rates. This midweek dip could save you substantial amounts if you plan your refuelling strategically.

Try to avoid filling up on Fridays and weekends when prices typically peak due to higher demand. For the best deals, aim to fill up midweek, as stations often adjust their prices based on demand patterns.

Don't forget about loyalty schemes either. Some supermarkets offer points on your fuel purchases, to go towards your next shop, top up or can even be transferred into vouchers.

Remember, supermarket fuel meets the same basic quality standards as branded options, so for most everyday vehicles, the cheaper option will serve you just fine while keeping costs down.

Maintaining a consistent speed is what gets you the best fuel efficiency, which is why stop-start driving in traffic is much less efficient than using cruise control on motorways and dual carriageways. When it comes to being fuel efficient, there are more important factors than just "driving slow." Let's explore how you can save money while keeping your driving smooth and efficient.

Smooth acceleration is one of the most effective ways to improve fuel economy. When pulling away:

• Apply gentle pressure to the accelerator rather than flooring it.
• Aim to shift up a gear between 2,000 - 2,500 RPM for petrol cars or 1,500 -2,000 RPM for diesel cars. 
• Try to reach your highest gear as soon as it's comfortable to do so.

When you spot a hill ahead, try accelerating slightly before you reach it (within the speed limit, of course), then ease off as you drive up. The extra momentum should help minimise additional fuel consumption.

Remember that lower gears use more revs per minute (RPM), so driving in higher gears generally makes you more fuel efficient due to lower RPM and steadier acceleration. But be careful not to change gears too early, as moving up a gear too soon can make your engine drag, which wastes fuel and puts strain on your car.

Step off the accelerator when slowing down or driving downhill while remaining in gear. This activates the fuel cut-off switch in most modern vehicles, reducing fuel flow to virtually zero—a smart way to save without even trying.

Most modern cars now offer eco-mode settings that help maximise your fuel efficiency:

• Engine response adjustment: Reduces throttle sensitivity for smoother acceleration. 
• Transmission optimization: Earlier upshifts and delayed downshifts to keep RPMs lower. 
• Climate control efficiency: Reduces A/C compressor usage to save fuel. 
• Idle stop-start: Automatically turns off engine when stationary.
• Regenerative braking: In hybrid vehicles, captures energy during deceleration. 

How you plan your journeys can make a massive difference to your fuel consumption. Smart planning isn't just about avoiding traffic, it's about optimising your entire driving experience to save money on fuel.

Short trips are surprisingly expensive when it comes to fuel economy. Your engine needs time to warm up to its optimal operating temperature, and during those first few minutes, it uses significantly more fuel than when it's warm.

When your engine is cold, it actually throws extra fuel into the mix to help it run smoothly, and to warm up the catalytic converter faster. This means those quick pop-to-the-shops trips can use disproportionately more fuel than longer journeys.

Modern navigation apps don't just get you from A to B, they can help you find the most fuel-efficient route by avoiding fuel-hungry features like traffic lights and steep gradients.

Traffic lights force you to stop and start repeatedly, which dramatically increases fuel consumption. Every time you accelerate from a standstill, your engine works harder and uses more fuel. Routes with fewer traffic lights allow you to maintain a more consistent speed, which is key to fuel efficiency.

By planning smarter journeys with fewer traffic lights and flatter roads where possible, you'll not only save fuel but also reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, another way to keep those motoring costs down.

Sharing your journey with others is perhaps the most effective way to slash your driving costs; potentially cutting them in half or more.

The beauty of lift-sharing is its simplicity, so whether it’s organised through an app or arranged informally between friends, it's one of the most effective ways for UK motorists to reduce their driving costs.

How can you reduce fuel consumption?

• Smooth, consistent driving. 
• Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle. 
• Use cruise control on motorways to maintain steady speeds. 
• Shift to higher gears at the appropriate time to keep engine revolutions low. 

What increases fuel consumption? 

• Air conditioning can boost fuel usuage, particularly during short journeys. 
• Underinflated tyres can force the engine to work harder. 
• Roof racks and bike carriers increase areodynamic drag. 
• Aggressive driving with frequent acceleration and braking. 

How can you improve fuel economy? 

• Regular vehicle maintenance is crucial for optimal fuel economy.
• Keep your engine properly tuned with clean air filters and the correct engine oil. 
• Plan efficient routes to avoid congestion and unnecessary detours. 
• Consider using fuel price comparison apps to find the cheapest petrol. 
• In warmer weather, use air conditioning sparingly. 

How can you save fuel when driving? 

• Anticipate traffic flow to avoid unnecessary stops and starts. 
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight, as extra cargo increases consumption. 
• Use the highest suitable gear to keep engine revolutions low. 

How can you save money on petrol?

• Shop smart by using petrol price comparison apps. 
• Avoid premium fuels unless your vehicle specifically requires them. 
• Sign up for supermarket and petrol station loyalty schemes.
• Consider carpooling for regular journeys to share fuel costs. 
• Combine errands into single trips rather than making multiple short journeys.