A few simple changes behind the wheel can make a noticeable difference to both consumption and cost. Adopting smart driving habits is essential, especially as the cost of living continues to put pressure on households. That said, WesBank encourages motorists to embrace the following fuel-saving driving behaviours in their daily routines:
Drive Smoothly: Smooth is always the best. Avoid aggressive driving habits such as speeding, fast acceleration, and hard braking. This fuel-saving technique not only improves fuel economy but also extends the life of brakes and tyres and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
Safer Driving: Always maintain a safe following distance between your car and the one ahead. This allows you to keep a consistent speed, which uses less fuel and is safer.
Avoid Stop-Start Driving: Maintain speed by planning ahead and flowing with traffic to reduce unnecessary braking.
Slow Down: Avoid excessive speeding; driving slightly slower can improve fuel economy.
Reduce the Load: Though often overlooked, excessive weight is the greatest enemy of fuel economy. Less weight means less energy required for acceleration, so it’s recommended to take out unnecessary items from the car.
Optimise Air Conditioning: Use air conditioning sparingly at lower speeds and open windows when it’s safe to do so. At higher speeds, air conditioning is the more efficient choice, as open windows increase aerodynamic drag, forcing the engine to work harder and, in turn, resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Plan Trips: Use navigation apps to find the most efficient roads and avoid traffic. Try to avoid roads with too many traffic lights and intersections, if possible.
Check Your Tyres: Maintain the correct tyre pressure as specified in your car’s manufacturer’s guide to improve fuel economy and vehicle performance. A firmer tyre improves fuel economy as it has lower rolling resistance.
Regular Servicing and Maintenance: Service your car regularly to keep it running properly and use less fuel. A well-maintained car is more fuel-efficient.
Fuel Reward Programmes: With fuel prices biting harder than ever, reward programmes are a practical way for motorists to claw back some savings at the pump and keep moving without stretching the budget too far.
“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.
