How To Offset Fuel Price Hikes
The price of fuel is weighing heavily on the minds and hearts of South Africans, and little wonder. In the year ending December 2021, consumers faced a staggering 40.4% pricing increase. By March the cost of fuel was R21 per litre, and further increases are expected.
“If you reference the petrol price against what the average South African earns, we have the third most expensive petrol in the world,” says Ciro de Siena, motoring journalist.
Consumers are desperately looking for creative ways to curb their travel costs and limit the burden on their already strained budgets.
Limit your kilometres
Humans are creatures of habit and sometimes it takes a predicament to reset the status quo. Before you grab your car keys, ask yourself a few questions. Can you create a carpool and share the school commute with another family? Could you negotiate a work-from-home option with your employer, or decrease the number of days that you work in the office? Are there any planned errands you can combine into a single trip?
An added bonus of keeping your car parked more often is that your carbon footprint will be shrinking, adding a feel-good motivation to your budgeting.
Plan your shopping
Most retailers have reliable and efficient online shopping available, with free or cost-effective delivery options. Apart from the time and fuel that’s saved, you may well reduce your monthly grocery bill, as impulse buys are eliminated.
Find a petrol partner
There are numerous fuel reward programmes on offer, varying in complexity and benefits. Choose one or two of these programmes to earn loyalty points when you fill your tank, rather than going to the nearest fuel station when the fuel light starts to flash. The points or cash back earned can be used to cover other expenses, such as groceries or medicine.
The best car for the job
The perfect car to meet your needs or that of your family might change significantly over time. In the current climate, fuel efficiency is a major factor. Swapping your current vehicle for a smaller, more economical option might benefit you substantially in the long term. Although electric cars are still very expensive in South Africa, hybrid options are becoming more available and affordable.
Some myths debunked
Kriben Reddy, vice president of Auto Information Solutions at TransUnion Africa, recently debunked popular fuel-saving theories, like not using air conditioning, While air conditioning does use additional energy, the alternative is keeping the car window open, which compromises safety and causes more drag when you travel faster than 80km/h.
“Modern aircon systems have minimal impact on your fuel consumption. Rather be safe and comfortable”, Reddy says.
Buying fuel early in the morning to capitalise on liquids being denser at lower temperatures, putting your car in neutral to coast downhill, and using additives that promise incredible fuel savings are other tactics declared invalid by Reddy.
Some TLC for your car will pay off
A well-maintained car will use fuel most efficiently. This includes having your car serviced regularly in adherence with the owners’ manual, keeping the tyres properly inflated, fixing problems as soon as you notice them, and replacing clogged air filters.
Reduce the resistance
Modern vehicles are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible. However, open windows, loaded roof racks, and unnecessary luggage can affect the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.
Steady wins the race
According to Reddy, the best way to save fuel is adopting better driving habits. He challenges motorists to drive as if they have a cup of coffee on their dashboard.
“That means no sudden acceleration or sharp braking, driving at steady speeds and avoiding high speeds on the highway,” he says. The resulting savings on tyres and maintenance will be a bonus.
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