Achi news desk-
Petrol prices have already risen by 10p per liter this year, with the RAC saying that the average price of a liter of petrol has increased by 3p in April alone.
Meanwhile, diesel drivers were warned they were “seriously overpaying for diesel”, with average prices increasing by 2p per liter in April to 157.8p.
Rising pump prices since the start of the year have added around £5.50 to the cost of filling up a typical 55-litre family car.
Experts from Swansway Motor Group have outlined 5 money-saving tips for motorists grappling with rising fuel costs.
5 good tips to save money on fuel
Check your tire pressure
Maintaining the correct tire pressure is essential for vehicle efficiency. Underinflated tires can reduce mileage and increase fuel consumption. Checking tire pressure monthly is recommended, as proper inflation improves vehicle safety and extends their life.
Keep your windows closed if you are driving over 40mph
At higher speeds, keeping windows closed reduces aerodynamic drag. Although the effect on fuel efficiency can vary depending on vehicle design and driving conditions, reducing drag helps maintain better fuel economy at highway speeds.
Turn off the air conditioning
Air can increase fuel consumption by using significant engine power. When you get into your vehicle for the first time, open the window to lower the cabin temperature, then if you want to use the aircon it won’t have to work as hard to cool the car. Likewise, it is more efficient to switch to aircon when driving at speeds over 40mph.
Avoid idling
An idling engine burns fuel without moving, which obviously wastes petrol and increases wear and tear on the engine. It is recommended to switch off the engine during long periods to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption.
Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle
Extra weight in a vehicle causes it to use more fuel. Reducing the weight can improve the car’s miles per gallon.
The experts explained: “It is worrying to see the retailer’s profit on fuel; profit on unleaded petrol has reached 9.5c a litre, and diesel even more dramatically at 18p a litre, which is a significant increase of 6p in April alone.
“These figures are significantly higher than the long-term average profit of 8p per litre. Such differences result in higher running costs for consumers and businesses.”
“The variability in fuel prices is another pressing issue. Analysis shows that the differences between the cheapest and most expensive fuel ranged from 8p to 36p per liter in supermarket fuel prices at the end of April.”
“This not only complicates budgeting for consumers but also highlights the need for more regulated pricing policies to help with such extreme differences”
“Reflecting the pricing trends, the lowest prices this year were recorded on January 16, with petrol at 139.7c a liter and diesel at 147.6c a litre.
“The significant increase from these lows to current rates underlines the volatility in the fuel market and the direct impact on our customers.”
