How to Save Money on Petrol: Fuel Saving Tips

This is the single most effective thing you can do. Stations within a few miles of each other can differ by 5–10p per litre. On a 50-litre fill, that’s £2.50–£5.00 saved every time.

Use PumpCheck’s postcode search to see the cheapest stations near you, ranked by price and distance. Prices are updated throughout the day from government data.

Make it a habit to check before every fill-up. A two-minute search can save £200+ per year.

Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons are consistently 3–7p per litre cheaper than branded forecourts like Shell, BP, and Esso. Over a year, that’s a saving of £80–£180 for a typical driver.

Supermarket fuel meets the same British Standards (BS EN 228 for petrol, BS EN 590 for diesel) as branded fuel. It’s perfectly safe for your car. The difference is mainly in premium additive packages, which are not necessary for normal driving.

Compare supermarket fuel prices →

Your driving style has a bigger impact on fuel consumption than most people realise. Aggressive driving can increase fuel use by 15–30%.

• Accelerate gently. Don’t floor it from traffic lights. Build speed gradually.
• Anticipate traffic. Look ahead and ease off the accelerator early rather than braking hard at the last moment.
• Use cruise control on motorways to maintain a steady speed.
• Shift up early. In a manual car, change gear before 2,500 rpm (petrol) or 2,000 rpm (diesel).

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that efficient driving can save up to £250 a year in fuel.

Air resistance increases with the square of your speed. This means:

• Driving at 60mph instead of 70mph can improve fuel economy by around 10%
• Driving at 70mph instead of 80mph saves roughly 15%
• Most cars are most fuel-efficient between 45–55mph

On a long motorway journey, slowing from 70mph to 60mph could save you several pounds per tank — and it only adds a few minutes to a typical journey.

• Tyre pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption by up to 3%. Check monthly and before long journeys. The correct pressure is on a sticker inside the driver’s door or in your owner’s manual.
• Engine oil: Using the manufacturer’s recommended oil grade can improve efficiency by 1–2%.
• Air filter: A clogged air filter can reduce efficiency. Replace it at the intervals your manual recommends.
• Remove roof racks and boxes when not in use. They create drag and can increase fuel consumption by 5–10% at motorway speeds.

• Clear out the boot. Every extra 50kg increases fuel consumption by about 1–2%. Don’t carry things you don’t need.
• Combine short trips. A cold engine uses significantly more fuel. Combining errands into one trip means the engine stays warm and efficient.
• Avoid rush hour. Stop-start traffic is the most fuel-hungry driving. If you can shift your commute by 30 minutes, the smoother traffic flow will save fuel.
• Don’t idle. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, switch the engine off. Modern cars use virtually no extra fuel restarting.

Air conditioning typically increases fuel consumption by 5–10%. The most efficient approach depends on your speed:

• Under 50mph: Open the windows and turn off the AC. The drag is minimal at lower speeds.
• Over 50mph: Close the windows and use AC. At higher speeds, open windows create more drag than the AC compressor uses.

In winter, use the heated seats (if you have them) instead of cranking up the cabin heater — they use less energy.

Running your tank low limits your options. When the fuel light comes on, you’re forced to use the nearest station, regardless of price. Fill up at a quarter tank so you have the flexibility to choose a cheaper station.

Plan your fill-ups around stations on your regular routes. Search your commute postcode to find the cheapest stations along the way.

If you consistently fill up at the same chain, loyalty rewards add up:

• Tesco Clubcard: Earn 1 Clubcard point per £2 spent on fuel
• Nectar (Sainsbury’s/Esso): Collect points on every fill-up
• Shell Go+: Earn rewards on Shell purchases
• BPme Rewards: Points with every BP fill-up

However, don’t pay more for fuel just to earn loyalty points. The rewards are typically worth 0.5–1% of your spend. If a supermarket station is 5p cheaper, that saving far outweighs any loyalty benefit elsewhere.

Combining these strategies, a typical UK driver can realistically save £300–£500 per year:

• Comparing prices: £100–£200/year
• Switching to supermarket fuel: £80–£180/year
• Smoother driving: up to £250/year
• Proper tyre pressure and maintenance: £50–£100/year

The biggest wins come from choosing cheaper stations and driving more efficiently. Everything else is a bonus.

See current UK fuel price trends →