Fuel is still expensive: 7 tips to save on your travelling costs

From adjusting your speed to maintaining tyre pressure, these strategies help ease the burden of high fuel prices.

The allure of the open South African road is hard to resist, whether it is the sweeping bends of the Clarence Drive coastline or the vast, silent stretches of the Karoo.

Yet, with petrol and diesel prices remaining a heavy burden on the holiday budget, the dream of a classic road trip can feel somewhat compromised. Fortunately, reaching your destination does not have to break the bank. With a few strategic adjustments to how you drive and prepare, you can keep your fuel consumption down and your travel spirit high.

First, let us look at the most basic variable: your speed. It is simple physics. Driving at 110 kilometres per hour instead of 120 on the highway can improve your fuel efficiency by up to ten per cent. The time saved by speeding is negligible, whereas the money saved at the pump is immediate.

Second, pay attention to your tyres. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, which forces your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Check your tyre pressure at the petrol station before you set off, ensuring they are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended level for a fully laden vehicle.

Our third tip involves the roof rack. While highly convenient, that bulky cargo box acts like a sail, destroying the aerodynamic profile of your car. If you must use one, pack only light, bulky items there, and remove the rack entirely once you reach your destination.

Fourth, master the art of momentum. Avoid aggressive acceleration and sudden braking. By anticipating the flow of traffic and letting your vehicle coast naturally toward red lights or slow-moving trucks, you conserve kinetic energy.

Fifth, use your air conditioner selectively. At lower speeds around town, rolling down the windows is more economical. On the open highway, however, the drag from open windows actually consumes more fuel than running the climate control on a moderate setting.

Sixth, plan your route to avoid peak hours. Sitting in stop-start traffic on the concrete highway of Johannesburg or the clogged exits of Cape Town burns fuel while you go nowhere.

Finally, declutter your car. Every extra ten kilograms of unnecessary weight increases fuel consumption. Empty the boot of golf clubs, heavy tools, and forgotten clutter before you turn the key.