Every drop counts: WesBank’s tips on making a tank of fuel go the distance.
If you live in South Africa, you’ll know all too well that fuel prices are a touchy topic. With the rising cost of living putting more strain on households, every litre counts. That’s why adopting smarter driving habits has never been more important.
To help with that, WesBank has introduced a practical plan aimed at empowering drivers to use fuel more efficiently and ease the pinch of ever-increasing costs. By following a few practical tips, motorists can cut down on consumption, stretch their tanks a little further, and save some money along the way.
Drive Smoothly: Though often overlooked, rapid acceleration, speeding, and abrupt braking are bad habits that negatively affect fuel consumption. Fuel-saving techniques, including coasting to red traffic lights, improve fuel consumption and extend the life of brakes and tyres.
Safer Way of Driving: It’s also important to keep a safe distance between your car and the one in front. It’s not just about safety, but this also helps with efficiency since it’s easier to keep a constant speed. Be aware of other drivers and pedestrians and anticipate their next moves to maintain a consistent speed and, in turn, use less fuel.
Avoid Stop-Start Driving: It’s important to maintain a steady speed by planning ahead, anticipating traffic conditions, and using smooth acceleration to minimise unnecessary braking.
Slow Down: Avoid speeding. Driving at a slightly lower speed and maintaining a constant speed can improve fuel economy.
Reduce the Load: Weight is the biggest enemy of fuel economy. The heavier your car, the more energy it needs to get going. That’s why it’s worth clearing out any unnecessary items from your vehicle. Every extra kilogram makes a difference when it comes to saving fuel in the long run.
Optimise Air Conditioning: Use your air conditioning sparingly when driving at low speeds. When safe to do so, rolling down the windows is often the better option. However, once you reach higher speeds (around 80km/h or more), keeping the windows closed and using air conditioning is more fuel-efficient since this reduces drag.
Plan Ahead: Make use of navigation apps to plan the most efficient routes and steer clear of heavy traffic; it can make a real difference to your fuel consumption. It also helps to listen to traffic updates and, where possible, avoid routes with lots of stop-start traffic, traffic light outages, and intersections that force you to brake and accelerate frequently.
Check Wheel Alignment and Maintain Tyre Pressure: Make sure your wheels are properly aligned to reduce friction and help your car move more efficiently. It’s also important to check your tyre pressure regularly. Keeping it at the recommended level not only improves fuel economy but also enhances overall handling and safety.
Regular Servicing and Maintenance: Make sure to service your vehicle regularly since a well-maintained engine runs more smoothly, performs better, and uses less fuel in the long run.
Fuel Reward Programmes: Fuel reward programmes offer much-needed relief for cash-strapped motorists. With fuel prices putting pressure on budgets, these programmes provide valuable savings and benefits, helping drivers stay mobile without breaking the bank.
“While fuel price hikes may be beyond our control, we are committed to equipping motorists with the knowledge and tools to navigate these challenges. By embracing these actionable steps, individuals can proactively take charge of their fuel consumption, lessening the impact of fuel price hikes on their wallets and contributing to a more sustainable driving future,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, WesBank Head of Marketing and Communication.
