10 Easy (And Cheap) Ways To Save Petrol

With the diesel price increasing by 50% in June, Malaysians are also bracing themselves for the possibility of an increase in petrol prices.

In preparation for that, we’ve come up with 10 easy and cheap ways that you can utilise to save up on the cost and usage of petrol.

1) Use petrol or cashback credit cards

Many petrol stations offer petrol credit cards that offer fuel-related privileges. Using these petrol cards is a smart way to help reduce petrol costs through the points/rewards they offer.

Another way to reduce petrol costs is to use credit cards that offer rewards or cashback on money spent on petrol or groceries. You can find out more about these credit cards here.

2) Do not leave your engine idling

Waiting for your girlfriend in the car? Turn the engine off. Not only are you wasting petrol, you’re also releasing unnecessary harmful emissions when you leave your car idle.

It is estimated that for every two minutes you leave your car idle, you use the same amount of petrol to travel about 1.5 km.

It’s bad enough for city dwellers to be stuck in stationary traffic (the infamous horrific traffic congestion in Klang Valley) all the time, so when you have the option, reduce idling whenever and wherever you can.

3) Be a smooth driver

How do you drive on the road? If you are the type of driver who likes to accelerate and make sudden stops, it is time to change your driving style.

While you may not be able to see a significant immediate difference in your petrol consumption by changing your driving style; you can save quite a bit of money on petrol over the year.

Drive as smoothly as possible by braking and accelerating gently and if you drive a manual vehicle, change your gear as early as possible.

4) Reduce your mileage

It’s simple, the more you drive, the more petrol you use. So, if you can, try not to go for unnecessarily long drives to reduce petrol consumption.

In fact, it might be time to consider carpooling as an option to reduce petrol costs, which is also a way to be kind to our planet. Plus, by reducing the mileage on your car, you will also slow down your car’s depreciation. It’s a win-win situation!

5) Declutter your car

If you are the type to live off your car (like this man living in his car!), maybe it’s time to clean up a bit. Keeping a boot filled with junk can increase your petrol consumption due to the extra weight.

Don’t keep boxes and heavy things (baby stroller, etc.) in the car when you don’t need them as the extra weight increases the drag factor causing your car to be less efficient.

6) Plan your journeys

Whether it’s Google Maps or Waze, you should always use these apps to help you plan your journeys wisely. Learn the route to the destination before starting your journey to avoid getting lost and being stuck in traffic.

Circling round and round looking for your destination can make a huge difference to your petrol consumption, so it’s worth planning your route before you leave home.

7) Get your car serviced

When did you last service your car? Servicing your car regularly will increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. It’s time to book an appointment with the workshop to service your car and do it regularly.

8) Pump up your tyres

Drivers are advised to regularly check their tyres’ inflation, not just for safety reasons but also to ensure their vehicle’s fuel efficiency is at its optimum.

The reason under-inflated tyres waste more petrol is that they create too much traction, and thus need more petrol to get them going. However, do remember not to over-inflate your tyres as this can be dangerous.

9) Keep your windows up

We’ve always been told to roll down our windows and turn off the air conditioning to reduce petrol consumption. But that trick is best performed in slow-moving traffic.

If you’re driving at high speeds on the highway, keeping your windows up and using your AC is the best way to keep yourself cool. This is because the wind resistance can create aerodynamic drag and will force your car to use more petrol.

10) Use public transport or rideshares

Seriously. If you are heading somewhere with an LRT station located nearby, try taking the LRT there. It saves you loads in petrol and parking fees, especially if you are going into KL’s city centre.

Or if you still want to go by car, use a ridesharing app instead. Not only you won’t have to worry about using petrol, you won’t need to worry about finding parking as well.

Check the latest petrol prices here. Find out what happened to Nigeria when they removed their fuel subsidy and what Malaysia can learn from it.

This article has been updated on July 23, 2024.