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Saving Money with Fuel - Motor Vehicles |
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Self-drives option are one of the many popular ways for tourist to see
Australia, whether it is in a hire car or your own vehicle, campervan,
motor-cycle, 4 wheel drive. The convenience of the self-drive option provides a
way of getting from A to B at your own leisure and getting to out-of-the-way
places, along routes that many of the major tour operators may not offer. When travelling the vast distances around Australia,
the cost of fuel these days can be substantial and wouldn't it be great if you
could save money on your fuel bill.
Following are a few tips to start you on
your way. |
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- Shop around when purchasing petrol, don't buy it at the first station
you see, especially when entering a town or city for the first time. Fuel
prices can vary as much as 10 cents per litre.
- Do not let your fuel tank run too low, as it can cause you to enter the
nearest petrol station, instead of shopping around for cheaper prices.
- Use motorways and highways, as this enables you to use cruising speed,
which is more fuel efficient.
- Slow down. As well as dangerous, and illegal if exceeding the speed
limit, you will find that the difference between driving 110 km and 90 km
per hour can be a saving up to 20 percent in less fuel usage.
- Drive smoothly, as fast starts burn up to four times more fuel, as
opposed to a gentle acceleration. Avoid sudden braking, by observing traffic
conditions up ahead, such as when traffic lights turn red.
- Use cruise control if you have it, especially with long distance
travelling. You do get more mileage out of your fuel tank.
- Do not take to long to warm up your vehicle. 30 to 45 seconds is often
enough time to warm the engine. Most modern vehicles are designed to start
almost immediately.
- Choose higher gears when possible, as it means less fuel.
- Keep your steering wheel steady. The more you weave on the road, the
more fuel is used, because you are actually travelling further.
- Do not rest your foot on the brakes or the clutch, as this causes
unnecessary wear and uses more fuel.
- Ensure you vehicle is well serviced, such as ensuring your tyres are
fully inflated. Soft tyres can result in up to 5 percent of your fuel being
wasted. Your tyres also wear out quicker.
- When stuck in stationary traffic for prolonged periods, turn your engine
off.
- Keep your vehicle aerodynamic such as keeping windows closed. This
improves your car's fuel efficiency. Roof rack and bull bars also increase
drag.
- Use less air-conditioning, as this can increase your fuel consumption by
up to 10 per cent.
- For short trips, why drive? A ten minute stroll is good exercise and
saves money in fuel cost.
- Fuel prices seem to be higher on certain days of the week. In many
capital cities, fuel prices seem to rise on Friday.
Source: some of the information provided are from the experiences
of visitors to our site.
Also check out the site
MotorMouth. |
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Other links
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Tread Lightly! Australia
• PO Box 220, CROWS NEST QLD 4355
• Ph: 07 4698 4963 / 1800 650 881 • Fax: 07 4698 4968 •
• Philosophy is to promote the concept
of individuals, organisations and corporations taking responsibility for their
own actions and demonstrating responsibility within whatever outdoor activity
they choose. Respect the Environment with your Recreation.
Travel and recreate with minimum impact.
Respect the environment and rights of others.
Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go.
Allow for the future use of the outdoors, leave it
better than you found it.
Discover the rewards of responsible recreation.
Education is the key to preserving the great outdoors.
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FuelWatch
• Ph: 1300 550 808 (To obtain best fuel prices and retailer locations •
• Providing tomorrow's fuel prices for
motorist in Western Australia, covering most fuel retailers in WA. Information
is accessible from the website, by email or phone.
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MotorMouth
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Contact: online form
• A website that reports fuel prices for a number of cities
around Australia including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth,
helping motorist minimise their fuel bills. Fuel prices are collected early each
morning in these areas (excluding public holidays), with the fuel prices updated
around 815 am each Monday to Saturday morning and at 3 pm each of these
afternoons. Sundays the fuel prices are updated from 9 am.
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Australian
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association
• 30 George St, REDFERN NSW 2016
• Ph: +61 2 9319 4733 • Fax: +61 2 9319 4163 •
• Follow the Auto Use link to
Installer/Outlet Search, where you can search for Autogas outlets throughout
Australia. You can also use the Autogas Trip Planner between destinations.
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Motoring Associations
• Check out some of the motoring association sites, as they too may offer tips
for enjoying and saving money on your motoring holiday around Australia. |
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