With UK petrol prices set to rise to a record high this spring according to the AA, is there anything we can do to keep the cost of fuelling our cars under control? The expert team at Mer car care products offer their tips on filling up without breaking the bank.
So why are petrol prices so high?
According to the AA, it’s thanks to an unhappy combination of factors. These include the planned 3p rise in fuel duty proposed by the Chancellor on 1st April, the recent rises in global crude oil prices, increased refining costs and the weakening of the pound against the dollar.
The last time the UK saw similar price hikes was back in the summer of 2008 when petrol was around 119.7p per litre. With costs looking to exceed £1.20 this time around, things look even less rosy for Britain’s drivers.
Limiting the damage
Although as drivers we’re inevitably going to be affected by a national rise in the cost of fuel, there are still things we can do to limit the impact on our monthly outgoings.
Pick your pump with care
Thanks to price comparison websites like www.petrolprices.com, it’s now possible to compare the cost of a litre of fuel at a range of petrol stations in your local area. Once you’ve registered with the site, you can compare the cost of fuel at garages within a two, five, ten mile radius of your home or work making it simple to get the best deal.
Try a little inflation of your own
We’re always being told that maintaining the correct tyre pressure is good for our vehicles. When you consider that it can also improve your fuel economy by up to 10%, queuing for a token at your local garage suddenly seems a much more attractive prospect.
If you’re unsure on the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle, try Kwik Fit’s tyre pressure search tool at http://tinyurl.com/26nedq
Ditch the air con
Given that the scorching barbecue summers we’re always being promised inevitably fail to materialise, doing without our air conditioning should really be something most of us can cope with. It’s even less tempting to crank it up when you consider that it’s thought to increase fuel consumption by around 12% at certain speeds.
It’s also advisable to keep your windows and sunroof closed when driving at faster speeds, as the increased resistance will have a similarly alarming effect on your fuel gauge.