Fuel prices these days feel like that annoying friend who never misses a chance to remind you they’re expensive. Every time I pull up to a pump, I half expect the machine to ask for my kidney as “additional payment.” Anyway, since we can’t exactly boycott driving altogether (unless you live in a tiny town where everything’s within walking distance), here are some ways regular people actually cut fuel costs. Some you might know, some might sound silly at first, but hey — they work.
1. Drive like you’re not late to a wedding.
Aggressive driving — slamming the accelerator, braking last second — it burns fuel like crazy. It’s like drinking soda through a straw but poking extra holes in it; you waste half of it without realizing. Chill driving can save you 10–20% easily.
2. Don’t hoard junk in your car.
I used to keep half my life in the trunk. Old gym bag, bottles, random “just-in-case” tools. Then I learned every extra 50 kg makes your car thirstier. I once took out a box of tiles that had been sitting there for weeks (don’t ask), and I swear the mileage ticked up instantly. Coincidence? Maybe. Felt good though.
3. Check your tire pressure.
This one is underrated. Under-inflated tires create drag, which basically means your car works harder, like running with flat shoes. Studies say proper tire pressure improves fuel economy by about 3%. Not huge, but hey, that’s like a free liter of petrol every now and then.
4. Kill the AC when you can.
Not telling you to sweat buckets in summer, but blasting AC at full power all the time does eat into your fuel. Windows down at low speeds is fine, though on highways it can mess with aerodynamics. So it’s a balance thing.
5. Plan your trips like you plan your Netflix binges.
Instead of 5 little trips, combine errands into one longer drive. Cold engines drink more fuel, so short trips stacked up separately are basically like drinking shots of petrol (and paying for them).
6. Use apps or loyalty programs.
There are apps now that literally tell you which nearby gas station has the lowest price. Sounds silly, but when fuel is this expensive, a few cents per liter adds up. Also, fuel cards/loyalty points — if you’re not using them, you’re just donating money back to the station.
7. Don’t idle like it’s meditation time.
If you’re waiting somewhere for more than a minute, just turn off the engine. Idling burns fuel for absolutely no reason. I once timed it — my car ate about 0.6 liters in 10 minutes of idling. That’s like buying a small Coke just for sitting there.
8. Keep up with maintenance.
Dirty air filters, old spark plugs, clogged fuel injectors — they make the engine inefficient. I skipped a service once thinking I was “saving money.” My mileage tanked so bad I ended up spending more on fuel than the service would’ve cost. Lesson learned.
9. Pick the right gear (for manual folks).
If you’re still driving a manual, avoid dragging the car in low gears longer than needed. It’s like walking with your shoelaces tied together — wastes energy. Higher gears at the right time save fuel, plain and simple.
10. Carpool or… don’t drive at all.
Yeah, obvious but overlooked. Sharing rides or using public transport a couple days a week makes a noticeable dent in fuel costs. A friend of mine carpools with his colleague and says he saves enough each month to cover his Netflix and Spotify subscriptions combined. Not bad.
