MARCH 2019 | 37
Motoring
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
FIVE TOP TIPS TO
SAVE CASH ON FUEL
Motorists can save cash at
the fuel pumps by taking advan-
tage of five cost cutting pieces of
advice aimed at Britain’s army of
truck and van drivers.
Experts from one of the UK’s
leading van suppliers LeaseVan.
co.uk have conducted research on
the most effective ways drivers can
cut costs at the pumps.
While their tips are aimed at
helping van and truck drivers save
cash at the pumps, they can be
utilised by any motorist to cut the
costs of driving.
The RAC have
‘ argued
the
massively inflated
prices are set so
high to simply
take advantage
of motorists
’
Last May fuel prices went
through the biggest monthly in-
crease since tracking prices began
nearly two decades ago.
But canny drivers can still
ensure their cash goes further at
the fuel pumps by following a few
simple tips.
Here are the tips from LeaseVan.
co.uk to avoid paying premium
prices at the pumps:
Avoid motorway service
stations at all costs
Fuel tends to be 10 to 15 pence
more expensive per litre than the
national average at motorway ser-
vice stations. The RAC have argued
the massively inflated prices are set
so high to simply take advantage
of motorists having limited options
when travelling on the motorway.
By planning when to fill-up
it can reduce the risk of getting
caught short and having to fill up
the van with premium priced fuel.
Take advantage of
supermarket price wars
Supermarket chains often vie for
motorist’s custom by cutting their
headline petrol and diesel prices,
making them a valuable place for
drivers to fill up their vans.
Most supermarkets also have their
own loyalty card scheme, which can
be used to accrue points each time
fuel is purchased. These points will
normally earn drivers a discount the
next time they fill up.
Fuel can be cheaper
in rural areas
Sometimes it can pay to turn off
the main road or motorway and
travel a few miles into a more ru-
ral location where fuel prices can
be cheaper. If a driver can save
just a few pence per litre on a big
fill-up, over time the savings can
be significant.
For example, if a driver could
save just 5 pence per litre on a
50-litre fill-up that would be £2.50
cheaper, or hundreds of pounds
across a year.
Download an app
A useful way to check wheth-
er going to a more rural petrol
station would be beneficial is by
downloading an app on your
smartphone. There are a number
of apps available that inform a
driver of near-by petrol stations
and their prices for fuel. The apps
are regularly updated meaning
costs should be accurate even with
frequent fluctuating fuel prices.
The amount of fuel put in
Depending on the size of a car
or van’s fuel tanks, putting in less
fuel could actually save drivers
more money. Van drivers could
cut costs by only part-filling their
tank, carrying less weight means
the engine is not put under as
much load and therefore less fuel
is burned.
Be aware that consistently
driving on low-fuel can cause
damage to the internal compo-
nents of the vehicle. When a tank
is empty it collects debris which
is then pumped through the rest
of the van when re-filled, causing
damage to the fuel pump and
filter.