Cutting petrol costs – Simple habits for big savings.

How to save money on petrol.

The only sure way to avoid spending on petrol is to switch to an alternative such as public transport or an electric vehicle. 

If those aren’t viable options for you there are ways you can spend less. Having a well-maintained car, tyres that are properly inflated and driving carefully can all reduce your petrol consumption and save you money. 

Your petrol buying habits could also save you money We think its possible for most car owners to save up to $260 a year on petrol by using these tactics. 

1. Always fill up at the cheapest petrol station you can find.

Forget loyalty to any particular petrol station or brand. Choosing the cheapest petrol station in an area could save you up to 20c a litre or about $12 per tank, for an average-sized car with a 60 litre fuel tank. 

It’s quite easy to find the cheapest petrol station using one of the many petrol apps or websites. 

Our favourite petrol apps and websites are: 

2. Fill up when prices are cheap and keep your car full when prices are cheap.

In most states and capital cities, petrol prices move through a predictable price cycle. Generally, petrol prices increase gradually over a couple of weeks and then suddenly drop. They remain low for a short period of time and then start increasing again. Fill up when they drop to their lowest point and then if you need to, fill up every day or two while prices are low. When prices are high, run your tank down.

You may also want to check out the My 7-Eleven app, which has a Fuel Price Lock feature that lets you search for fuel prices at 7-Eleven™ outlets and lock it for up to seven days.  

You can see where we are in the petrol price cycle on the ACCC website.

3. If you have to fill up when prices are high, shop around.

Try to avoid filling up when prices are high, but if you have to, shop around to find the cheapest petrol station. As we say above, you may be able to save up to 20c a litre just by shopping around. 

4. Don’t be seduced by shopping docket discounts.

Shopping docket discounts generally work at the larger, better-known branded service stations. These stations generally have high prices anyway – so even with your discount you may be paying more than you need to. 

We’ve found the best time to use your shopping docket discounts is at the bottom of the price cycle when prices are at their cheapest. Prices at all stations seem to converge at this point in the price cycle – so your discount, is likely to get you the cheapest possible price. 

How much can you save?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics¹, the average Australian motorist drives about 13,000 kilometres a year and the average Australian car uses about 10 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres travelled. That works out to be about 1,300 litres of petrol per year. So, if you save 20c per litre during the year, you’ll save about $260. If you drive more than 13,000km a year, you’ll save even more. 

We’re here to help.

At Beyond Bank our purpose is to change the lives of our customers and communities through financial wellbeing. Helping our customers deal with cost of living is a major area of focus. If we can help you, please contact your local branch or call us on 13 25 85. We’re here to help. 

¹ https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/survey-motor-vehicle-use-australia/latest-release