With fuel prices remaining high across the UK, every penny counts at the pump. Here are ten practical ways to reduce what you spend on petrol and diesel — no car upgrades required.
The price difference between the cheapest and most expensive station in your area is often 10p+ per litre. Use Tanki to check live prices and you could save £5-6 on every fill-up.
Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons consistently offer the cheapest fuel. They price fuel competitively to attract shoppers. Asda in particular often leads on price nationally.
Motorway fuel is typically 15-20p more per litre. On a 55L tank, that's up to £11 extra. If you need fuel on a long journey, come off at a junction and fill up at a nearby station instead.
Aggressive acceleration and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by 20-30%. Anticipate traffic, accelerate gently, and maintain a steady speed. Your wallet and your passengers will thank you.
Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption. Check pressures monthly — even 10 PSI below the recommended level can increase fuel usage by 3-4%.
Every 50kg of extra weight increases fuel consumption by about 1-2%. Clear out the boot, remove roof racks when not in use, and take off roof boxes after holidays.
Maintaining a constant speed is more fuel-efficient than varying your speed. On flat motorways, cruise control can save 5-10% on fuel. However, switch it off on hilly roads where it can actually use more fuel.
If you're stationary for more than 30 seconds (not in traffic), switch off the engine. Modern cars don't need "warming up" — the most efficient way to warm the engine is to drive gently.
Most cars run perfectly well on standard E10 unleaded. Unless your car specifically requires super unleaded (E5) or premium diesel, you're paying 10-15p more per litre for minimal benefit.
Tesco Clubcard, Nectar at Sainsbury's/Esso, and Shell Go+ all offer points or discounts on fuel. They won't make a huge difference individually, but combined with buying from cheaper stations, the savings add up over a year.
Let's say you fill up a 55-litre tank once a week. If you consistently find fuel that's 5p cheaper per litre by using Tanki, that's £2.75 per fill-up, or £143 per year.
Combine that with better driving habits (saving perhaps 10% on consumption) and you could realistically save £300-400 per year without any lifestyle changes. That's a holiday, a new phone, or just less stress about the cost of driving.
Ready to start saving?
Compare Fuel Prices Now →