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Last week, petrol prices across Australia averaged $2.19 per litre, while diesel prices soared past $2.40 per litre, marking a significant hike.
As fuel remains a necessity for many Australians, here are five practical strategies to help cut costs at the pump during your next refill.
Experts consistently recommend that a simple yet effective method to conserve fuel is by being mindful of your driving habits.
Frequent acceleration and deceleration due to varying speed limits or traffic can lead to higher fuel consumption, as it necessitates constant braking and speeding up again.
Andrea Matthews from RACV highlights that “heavy throttle use and excessive acceleration are surefire ways to deplete your fuel or range.”
“Heavy throttle use and excessive acceleration are a guaranteed way of using fuel or range,” RACV’s Andrea Matthews said.
The NRMA also suggests carefully planning your route to try and avoid peak periods if possible or roads where traffic will be higher, causing you to be stuck in a pattern of stop-start driving, as well as sitting idle, which burns more fuel.
2. Make sure your tyres are inflated and properly aligned
Not only is having your tyres properly inflated and maintained a good safety measure, it also saves on the amount of petrol you use.
Tyres that are under-inflated increase rolling resistance, and can increase fuel consumption by two per cent, according to the NRMA.
That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it can add up over time.
“Underinflated tyres will wear earlier on the edges,” Matthews said, “contributing to engine wear and higher fuel consumption.”
To ensure your tyres last longer, she also recommends making sure your car has a wheel alignment.
“Getting a regular wheel alignment check will ensure your tyres last as long as possible,” she said, saying a poor wheel alignment can produce more wear on the tyres and on other parts of the car, reducing its fuel efficiency.
The NRMA also recommends getting a wheel alignment once a year, as it reduces drag and rolling resistance.
3. Reduce weight by removing roof racks and other heavy items
Science dictates it takes more fuel to move a heavier car, so reducing the luggage and items in your car can help your car remain more efficient.
While there are times you will need to have lots of things in the boot, make sure you do a regular clean out of your car, for example, every time you wash it, to make sure any heavy items that aren’t necessary or used often don’t take up space and add weight.
According to figures from the NRMA, a car that is loaded to its maximum weight can increase fuel consumption by 24 per cent.
Experts also recommend removing roof racks from your car if they are not being used.
This is because they increase weight, but more importantly, increase drag, making your car less aerodynamic and causing it to use more fuel.
4. Use your air conditioner less
It may be a big sacrifice to make, especially in a country like Australia where the weather can be extreme, but experts say reducing your air conditioner use in your car is an important way to save on petrol.
The NRMA recommends, when practical, to roll down your windows instead when driving at lower speeds as a way to cool down your car without having to put the air conditioner on, though it warns doing this at higher speeds may have the opposite effect, as it increases drag and resistance.
If you feel the need to use the air conditioner, Matthews recommends these settings.
“Turn the A/C on to recirculate, as a way of reducing fuel consumption,” she said.
“That way, you’re cooling the same air from inside repeatedly for less money, instead of drawing in hot air from outside.” 
While this is not an option for people in all parts of Australia, being more selective on when or how you drive is a useful strategy to save on petrol, especially amid the current crisis.
If possible, carpool with others when driving to work or other events to share the burden of having to drive and use petrol.
If carpooling is not possible and you are able to, use alternative means to get to work or to where you need to go.
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