February will see an increase in both petrol and diesel prices. The first fuel price increase of 2023 will take the price of 93 octane petrol up to R21.38 per litre inland and 95 octane to R21.68.
Whether it's using public transport or joining a lift club, people are trying to save on monthly fuel spend. Fuel-saving methods like pills or Coca-Cola have gained popularity in recent months, but does it really help?
One must remember that all vehicles only operate with diesel or petrol and any foreign substance added to that, has the potential to cause internal engine problems and leave you with a hefty mechanical bill. Not an ideal situation to be in.
Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, separates fact from fiction when it comes to fuel-saving with these tips:
The real hacks
The fake hacks
These are some additional ways in which you can make the fuel in your tank last a bit longer:
Tyre pressure
As temperatures drop so does your tyre pressure and as this decreases so does your fuel economy. Check your tyre pressure first thing in the morning when they are coldest to get the most accurate reading, if your car does not have an automatic tyre pressure monitor/sensor(s).
Park inside
If you have a garage avoid the temptation to leave your car out overnight. When temperatures drop engine fluids thicken and use more energy to thin out. Parking inside reduces the effect of this and your consumption of fuel.
Lose extra weight
Irrespective of whether it is winter or summer, remove unnecessary items like heavy boxes or tools from your car as it can negatively affect how it performs. The heavier the car, the harder the engine has to work - thus having to use more fuel.
Aircon
The most fuel-efficient way to drive is with windows closed and the air-conditioner off. That, however, is not always possible and an air-conditioner uses less fuel than an open window creating considerable drag.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android) and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
Whether it's using public transport or joining a lift club, people are trying to save on monthly fuel spend. Fuel-saving methods like pills or Coca-Cola have gained popularity in recent months, but does it really help?
One must remember that all vehicles only operate with diesel or petrol and any foreign substance added to that, has the potential to cause internal engine problems and leave you with a hefty mechanical bill. Not an ideal situation to be in.
Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, separates fact from fiction when it comes to fuel-saving with these tips:
The real hacks
- Watching 12 seconds ahead as you drive.
- Reducing speed by 20km/h.
- Use traffic apps and alerts to avoid congestion.
- Keep RPMs around 3 000.
- Regular maintenance.
- Remove unnecessary items from your car.
The fake hacks
- Ketchup/tomato sauce.
- Plug-in devices.
- Dishwasher tablets.
- Toothpaste.
- Buying fuel early in the morning.
- Overinflating tyres.
These are some additional ways in which you can make the fuel in your tank last a bit longer:
Tyre pressure
As temperatures drop so does your tyre pressure and as this decreases so does your fuel economy. Check your tyre pressure first thing in the morning when they are coldest to get the most accurate reading, if your car does not have an automatic tyre pressure monitor/sensor(s).
Park inside
If you have a garage avoid the temptation to leave your car out overnight. When temperatures drop engine fluids thicken and use more energy to thin out. Parking inside reduces the effect of this and your consumption of fuel.
Lose extra weight
Irrespective of whether it is winter or summer, remove unnecessary items like heavy boxes or tools from your car as it can negatively affect how it performs. The heavier the car, the harder the engine has to work - thus having to use more fuel.
Aircon
The most fuel-efficient way to drive is with windows closed and the air-conditioner off. That, however, is not always possible and an air-conditioner uses less fuel than an open window creating considerable drag.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android) and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
