Let's be honest: filling up the car has become painful. With petrol hovering around 135-145p per litre and diesel even higher, a single tank can easily cost £70-80.
But here's the thing – most drivers are overpaying without realising it. Small changes in how and where you buy fuel can add up to hundreds of pounds saved per year.
Here are 15 proven ways to cut your fuel costs, starting with the easiest wins.
Quick Wins (Do These Today)
1. Compare Prices Before You Fill Up
This is the single biggest money-saver, yet most people don't do it.
Fuel prices can vary by 10-20p per litre between stations just a few miles apart. On a 55-litre tank, that's a difference of £5.50 to £11 – just for choosing a different station.
Use Fuel Finder UK to check prices near you before every fill-up. It takes 30 seconds and could save you £400+ per year.
2. Don't Wait Until Empty
When your fuel light comes on, you're at the mercy of whatever station is nearest – usually the most expensive one.
Fill up when you hit a quarter tank. This gives you time to find the cheapest station rather than the most convenient one.
3. Supermarkets Are Usually Cheapest
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons typically offer the lowest prices. They use fuel as a loss leader to get you into the store.
The difference between a supermarket and a motorway service station can be 30-40p per litre. That's over £20 difference on a full tank.
4. Avoid Motorway Services Like the Plague
Motorway services are consistently the most expensive places to buy fuel in the UK. They know you're desperate, and they price accordingly.
If you're on a long journey, plan to fill up before you hit the motorway, or come off at a junction to find a nearby supermarket.
5. Use Loyalty Cards and Cashback
Stack your savings:
- Tesco Clubcard – Earn points on fuel, use on groceries or convert to rewards
- Nectar (Sainsbury's) – Points on every litre
- Shell Go+ – 3% savings when you reach Gold status
- BP BPme – Rewards and exclusive offers
Also check if your credit card offers cashback on fuel purchases. Some cards give 1-3% back.
Driving Habits That Save Fuel
6. Slow Down (Seriously)
This one's hard to hear, but driving at 70mph instead of 80mph can improve your fuel economy by 10-15%.
The physics is simple: air resistance increases exponentially with speed. Your engine has to work much harder to push through air at higher speeds.
7. Accelerate Gently
Imagine there's an egg between your foot and the accelerator. Harsh acceleration burns fuel rapidly.
Smooth, progressive acceleration – especially from traffic lights and roundabouts – can improve economy by 15-20% in urban driving.
8. Use Cruise Control on Motorways
Maintaining a constant speed is more efficient than the natural human tendency to speed up and slow down.
9. Don't Idle
Sitting with the engine running – in traffic, waiting for someone, or warming up on cold mornings – burns fuel for zero miles.
10. Coast to Red Lights
See a red light ahead? Take your foot off the accelerator early and coast towards it.
Car Maintenance That Saves Fuel
11. Check Your Tyre Pressure Monthly
Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, making your engine work harder. The RAC estimates that tyres 15% below recommended pressure can increase fuel consumption by 6%.
12. Remove Roof Boxes and Racks
Roof-mounted accessories destroy aerodynamics and can reduce fuel economy by 10-25% at motorway speeds.
13. Clear Out the Boot
Extra weight means extra fuel. Every 50kg of unnecessary weight reduces efficiency by about 2%.
14. Service Your Car Regularly
A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently. Follow your manufacturer's service schedule.
15. Use the Right Fuel
Don't fall for the premium fuel myth. Unless your car specifically requires it, standard E10 petrol is fine for most vehicles.
Start Saving Today
The biggest single thing you can do right now? Stop overpaying for fuel.
Check prices before you fill up. It takes 30 seconds and could save you £5-10 every single time.