With fuel prices continuing to rise in South Africa, many drivers are desperate to stretch every litre as far as possible. Over time, various fuel saving tips and tricks have emerged – some are rooted in fact and can have an impact on your usage and therefore how much you spend. Others? Well, other tips are nothing more than the stuff of fiction.  

Unfortunately, following the incorrect advice could lead to wasted fuel, higher costs, or even mechanical damage. 

In this article, we separate the myths from reality and provide you with practical, evidence-based strategies to help you get the most out of your fuel tank. 

MYTH 1: Keep Your Tank Full 

It’s long been believed that maintaining a full fuel tank will reduce fuel evaporation and save your fuel. It’s absolutely true that fuel can evaporate, so at one time, this tip may have helped. However, modern fuel tanks are designed with airtight seals, meaning that the evaporation effect is negligible. In fact, carrying a full tank adds unnecessary weight to your vehicle, which can actually reduce fuel efficiency. 

✅ What Works?  

Keep your tank at a reasonable level rather than always topping it up. Don’t swing to the other side of pendulum and drive on empty, though, as this can damage your fuel pump. 

MYTH 2: Premium Fuel Boosts Performance 

Premium petrol has a higher-octane rating, which helps prevent engine knocking in high-performance or turbocharged vehicles. So, you should probably only use this fuel type, right? Wrong. If your car is designed for regular 95 or 93 octane petrol, using premium fuel won’t provide additional benefits. It certainly won’t increase your fuel efficiency, power, or engine longevity. 

✅ What Works?  

The best way to maintain performance and efficiency is to use the fuel grade recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.  

MYTH 3: Roll Down Windows Instead of Using Aircon 

Who didn’t grow up being told to wind down the windows when all you wanted was to blast that sweet cool aircon? Even now as adults, we’re likely to wind down rather than push the button for a jet of icy relief. The thing is; while turning off your air conditioning and rolling down your windows may save some fuel at lower speeds, it doesn’t work at higher speeds. Actually, this can create aerodynamic drag, which forces the engine to work harder to maintain speed – negating any fuel savings. 

✅ What Works?  

When driving at low speeds in the city, roll down your windows for a fresh breeze, but if you’re driving at higher speeds, use aircon efficiently. If you have the option, choose the recirculating mode to reduce power consumption. 

MYTH 4: Warm Up Your Car Before Your Drive 

A few years back this advice would have helped you save on fuel. Those older carburetor engines needed to idle before you drove off, but modern fuel-injected engines have come a long way. If you let your modern engine idle, you’ll end up burning unnecessary fuel and releasing excess emissions. 

✅ What Works?  

For the most part, you want to avoid hard acceleration. This is true of when you first start your car, so what you can do is start up, wait around 30 seconds for the engine reaches its optimal temperature and then drive off gently.  

MYTH 5: Coasting Saves Fuel 

If you think that putting your car in neutral while driving downhill or approaching a stop light will save fuel, think again. Modern vehicles automatically adjust fuel injection when you take your foot off the accelerator, meaning that staying in gear can actually be more efficient. 

✅ What Works?  

Instead of coasting, practice engine braking. This is when you take your foot off the accelerator while staying in gear, allowing the car to slow naturally without unnecessary fuel use. 

BONUS TIP: Proper Vehicle Maintenance Matters 

Even if you adopt all the right fuel-saving habits, poor vehicle maintenance can still reduce efficiency. Clogged this, rusty that, and all the other bits and pieces of your vehicle should be in excellent working condition in order for your vehicle to run optimally. The last thing you want is to be ploughing through your tank because your tyres need replacing. 

With that in mind, make sure you have: 

✔️ Properly inflated tyres – Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to use more fuel. 

✔️ Clean air filters – Dirty filters restrict airflow, causing inefficient combustion, so make sure these are cleaned regularly. 

✔️ The correct engine oil – Low-viscosity, manufacturer-recommended oil reduces friction and improves efficiency. 

Feeling informed?  

When it comes to fuel efficiency, knowledge is power. Many common fuel-saving tricks are outdated or misleading, but by following science-backed driving techniques and maintaining your vehicle properly, you can reduce fuel costs and keep your car running smoothly. 

For more expert motoring advice, stay tuned to AA Inform, your trusted source for South African driving tips.