Cutting down on your fuel bill
By Henk Luf

The rising price of fuel is impacting volunteers who rely on motor vehicles to provide services to the community.

However, there are things you can do to help reduce your fuel bill - did you know that bad driving habits alone can add 20% or more to you weekly bill?

Here are some great tips on how to get your petrol costs down.

1. Always fill up at the beginning of the week
Petrol is cheapest at the beginning of the week, so make sure you always fill your tanks on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

2. Top up your tank whenever you see discounted petrol
If you spot discounted petrol during the week make sure you stop and top-up your tank, even if it means putting in as little as $10 worth of petrol. This will save you being caught out needing petrol when the only station around is charging top dollar.

3. Check your tyres
Check your tyres at least once a week and adjust them to the correct tyre pressures. Over or under-inflated tyres add to friction during cornering and thus add to engine power consumption.

4. Make sure your car is well-tuned
Ensure that all mechanical parts are in good working order including good filters, hoses and good transmission oils. A well-tuned vehicle does wonders for good fuel consumption.

5. Drive smoothly
Rough take-offs and 'landings' add substantially to fuel consumption. Taking-off and stopping, especially at traffic lights or other obstacles, should be gradual and smooth.

6. Be careful with your accelerator
If you over or under rev your car fuel consumption will go through the roof.

7. Slow down (just a little)
When driving at 110kmph fuel consumption rises dramatically. Reducing this by just 20km to to 80 to 90kmph will save you about 10% of fuel.

8. Open the windows
Air-conditioning dramatically increases fuel use. Think about whether you really need it on everyday or if sometimes opening a window will do just as good a job. In any case you may like to try switching it off whilst going up hills and then back on while going downhill causing the air-conditioning system to act as a de-facto brake.

Find out more about the impact of rising petrol prices on volunteers.
Read our FVI News item Charities and volunteers hit by petrol price rise.

Have you got a tip? Email it to us at info@volunteering.com.au and we'll post it on our website.

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Ph 02 9261 3600 | Fax 02 9261 4033 | info@volunteering.com.au