Drive Smarter: Top Ways to Save Fuel and Keep Your Wallet Happy

1. Master the Art of "Smooth" Driving

Your right foot is the biggest factor in your fuel economy. Aggressive acceleration and heavy braking can increase fuel consumption by up to 33% on highways.

• Ease into it: Imagine there’s an open cup of coffee on your dashboard. Accelerate gently to keep from "spilling" it.
• Maintain momentum: Look ahead at traffic lights. If you see a red light far off, coast toward it rather than keeping your foot on the gas until the last second.
• Use Cruise Control: On flat stretches of the Bruce Highway or the M1, cruise control helps maintain a constant speed, which is far more efficient than constant manual adjustments.

2. Check Your Tyres Regularly

Under-inflated tyres create more "rolling resistance," meaning your engine has to work harder to push the car forward.

It is recommended to check your tyre pressure at least once a month. Keeping them at the manufacturer's recommended PSI can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Plus, it keeps you safer and helps your tyres last longer!

3. Declutter Your Boot

We’ve all been there carrying around those golf clubs, camping chairs, or heavy tools "just in case." However, every extra 25kg of weight can increase fuel consumption by about 1%.

Take five minutes this weekend to clear out the "Big Box" of stuff in your boot. While you're at it, if you aren't using your roof racks, take them off! The aerodynamic drag they create (especially at high speeds) acts like a parachute, pulling significantly on your fuel reserves.

4. Use Air Conditioning Wisely

In the Queensland heat, we know AC is a must. However, at lower speeds (under 60km/h), the AC can suck up a lot of power. If you’re just cruising through the suburbs, consider cracking the windows instead.

The Flip Side: At highway speeds, open windows create "drag" that actually uses more fuel than the AC does. So, windows down for the suburbs, AC on for the motorway!

5. Keep Up with Your Servicing