How to stay ahead of ever-increasing fuel prices

There are numerous solutions that motorists can implement in order to get the most mileage out of each litre of fuel and in that way, reduce their fuel spend, despite the rising fuel costs.

While the exact increases are yet to be announced, South Africans are bracing for a sharp jump in fuel prices from April, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

While fuel prices remain highly unpredictable and could continue to do so for the foreseeable future, at the mercy of this ongoing conflict and a weakening rand, motorists will be looking for practical ways to save on petrol and diesel.

Make sure your vehicle is well maintained

Basic vehicle maintenance can have a significant impact on your vehicles fuel consumption. Factors such as clogged filters and dirty oil can cause vehicles to be heavier on fuel than they should be. Motorists should ensure that they have their vehicle serviced in line with the manufacturer recommended guidelines and perform basic checks in between servicing, particularly if they are operating in dusty conditions.

Your vehicles tyre pressures will also have an effect on fuel consumption. It is important to make sure that your vehicles tyres are inflated according to the load that you are carrying as both under inflating or overinflating of tyres is not a good idea. Invest in a tyre pressure gauge and check your tyre pressure fortnightly when the car is still cold.

Wheel alignment is an often overlooked factor and something that is generally only checked when tyres are replaced but it too can affect consumption dramatically. Driving on rough roads or hitting speed bumps and potholes at speed can put your wheel alignment out of whack and cause significant inefficiencies due to the extra drag. It is a good idea to have your cars wheel alignment checked at least once a year.

Adapt your driving style

The biggest contributor to a vehicles fuel consumption is the driver behind the wheel. Factors such as speeding and unnecessary acceleration will quickly see your fuel consumption rise.

Fortunately even small adjustments can have a massive effect on fuel consumption.

Adapting your driving style to one of gentle acceleration between stops, avoiding unnecessary trips to the redline and driving 10km/h below the speed limit will see your vehicles fuel consumption tumble.

If your vehicle has different drive modes, choosing Eco mode will also contribute to fuel savings.

Lose the weight

Every extra kilogram that you carry around in your car contributes to fuel use. Remove any unnecessary items and accessories such as roof racks and rooftop tents when not needed.

Make fuel consumption a priority

While these factors will make your car as fuel efficient as it can possibly be, it is much easier to save fuel by driving a car that is inherently light on fuel. If you are shopping for a new car, fuel consumption should be an important factor. However it is not a good idea to only trust the figures that the manufacturer gives on their spec sheet as these are often achieved in controlled conditions. As part of doing your research, read independent reports and speak to owners of similar models in order to determine what the vehicle in question is really like on fuel.

Your use case will also determine how efficient a particular vehicle is on fuel. For example plug-in hybrid or hybrid vehicles only really offer fuel saving benefits if you do a lot of slow speed urban driving in traffic, where the powertrain can rely on the electric motor to save fuel. If 90% of your driving is on highways, this technology might not be very beneficial to your use case.

Buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle

Certain vehicles are simply heavier on fuel than others. Bakkies and big 4x4s will use more fuel than a small hatchback and the potential increases to the fuel price may prompt motorists to reconsider the type of vehicle they drive. Fuel efficient vehicles can have a significant effect on monthly transport costs, particularly for motorists who travel long distances.

Driving a big 4x4 to work and back all year round just to be able to go on off-road holidays once or twice a year is an example of using the wrong vehicle for the job.

However, selling your car for a more efficient model should be carefully considered. Motorists need to look at the full financial picture, as factors such as depreciation, financing, insurance and maintenance should all form part of your overall vehicle cost calculation.

Drive less

One of the easiest ways to save fuel is to drive less and while this might not always seem possible in can be achieved with some careful planning. For example, group meetings or

appointments by area and do your shopping once a month or every fortnight instead of weekly. If practically possible lift clubs to school or work, where drivers take turns to do the driving and cover costs, can dramatically reduce your monthly mileage and fuel spend.

A holistic approach

The most cost-effective strategy for navigating rising fuel costs requires a holistic approach. Motorists will need to make smarter vehicle choices along with better driving and maintenance habits in order to limit the impact of the ever-increasing fuel prices.

Shop for a more fuel efficient vehicle on the Motus Select website today

https://www.motusselect.co.za/buy-cars