When choosing the best car for you, there are a few factors that you’ll have to consider to ensure you’re getting the best, more affordable deal. For example, how much is your car going to cost you to run? You should make sure you check insurance, and tax before making your decision – but most importantly, you should think about which vehicle is most efficient when it comes to fuel. We’re experiencing some of the highest fuel prices in years, so making sure your car is affordable to run is essential. Below, we’ll take a look at the three main ways to fuel a car and decide which is most affordable. We’ll also look at a few useful tips to help you reduce your monthly fuel costs.
If you’re on a budget, simply purchasing a car can be difficult, and combined with monthly spending on fuel, it may seem impossible. There are ways that you can finance a car in a more affordable way. Car loans for bad credit can help those that need access to a car but have struggled to manage their finances in the past.
Fuelling your car
When purchasing a car, there are two most common types of fuel to choose from – petrol and diesel. However, hybrid cars are becoming more popular as technology advances, and weighing up how they compare can help you decide which is the cheapest option for you…
- Petrol: It is said that a litre of petrol is cheaper than a litre of diesel – but it doesn’t end there. There are various types of petrol you can choose, so if you’re on a budget, make sure you’re filling up with standard unleaded and not super unleaded which can save you a bit of cash.
- Diesel: Diesel is more expensive per litre than petrol, so if you’re solely focusing on keeping your fuel prices down, at face value, avoiding diesel may be the best thing to do. However, diesel cars have better fuel economy and are better for long journeys, so think about what you need your car for before making your decision.
- Hybrid: Hybrid cars are some of the most modern and choosing a car that’s powered by both traditional fuel and electricity could save you up to 30% on fuel per year – so if you’re looking for a vehicle to help you reduce emissions, that costs less to run, a hybrid vehicle may be the best for you.
How to save money on fuel
Whilst choosing a car that is fuel efficient is key, sometimes the choice that you make depends on whether you can afford the vehicle itself. For example, maybe a hybrid car would be cheaper to run, but they’re out of your price range. Thankfully, there are a few ways that you can save money on fuel, no matter whether you choose petrol or diesel, to reduce your monthly spending. Such as:
Driving efficiently: you may not realise it, but the way you drive can have an impact on the fuel you consume. To ensure that you’re driving in a way that saves fuel, make sure you avoid harsh braking and drive in the highest gear you can. As well as this, you should try to keep revving to a minimum, so that you don’t waste fuel.
Reduce heavy loads: Did you know that the more weight your vehicle carries, the more fuel you use? It will take more fuel to get the car to move if you’re carrying a heavy load, so make sure you remove racks when you’re not using them, and don’t keep unnecessary, heavy items in your car.
Compare petrol prices: Don’t just settle for the petrol station that’s closest to you! Make sure that you do your research before filling up. Generally, supermarket garages tend to be cheaper, but to compare, you could download an app that helps you find more affordable petrol in your local area. Local newspapers and websites can also be a great help.