Let’s talk about how to save money when you fill up your car. Gas prices are going up and up in NSW, and everyone’s feeling it in their wallets. Did you know that drivers in New South Wales are now paying about $198.35 each month for fuel? That’s almost 75% more than last year.
Whether you drive a tiny car, a big family car, or a work truck, there are many clever tricks to help you use less fuel. If you follow these tips, you could save up to $10,000 over the life of your car. Let me share some simple ideas that will help you improve fuel efficiency, save money, and be kinder to our planet, too.
Why Fuel Costs So Much in NSW
There are some significant factors to consider why fuel costs are high these days. We’ll unpack more of them below.
What Makes Fuel Prices Go Up and Down
Fuel prices change all the time because of things happening around the world. When countries that make oil decide to make less of it, prices go up. Also, when our Australian dollar isn’t worth as much as the US dollar, we pay more at the pump.
Right now, in April 2025, regular unleaded petrol costs between $166.90 and $177.90 per liter in NSW. Premium fuel and diesel cost even more, sometimes over $200 per liter. And guess what? Two gas stations right next to each other might have totally different prices.
Watching for Price Cycles to Save Money
Here’s a cool trick: fuel prices in big cities go up and down in patterns called “cycles.” The smart folks at the ACCC (that’s a government group that watches prices) say that if you fill up when prices are lowest, you could benefit from improved fuel economy and save around $407 last year.
These price cycles work like this: prices suddenly jump up really high at some gas stations, then other stations follow. Slowly, the prices came back down again. This happens over and over in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, impacting fuel efficient trucks especially.
Using Apps to Find Cheap Fuel
The NSW Government made a super helpful app called FuelCheck that shows you where to find the cheapest fuel at service stations near you. There’s another good one called PetrolSpy too. For example, on April 11, 2025, BP Thornleigh was selling regular unleaded for $166.90, which was way cheaper than other places nearby.
Taking Care of Your Car to Use Less Fuel
Getting Regular Check-ups for Your Car
Just like you need to go to the doctor for check-ups, your car needs regular check-ups too! When your car gets serviced on schedule, it runs better and uses less fuel. A happy, well-tuned engine doesn’t waste fuel, which means more money stays in your pocket.
Keeping Your Tires Happy
Did you know that flat-ish tires make your car work harder and use more fuel? It’s true. Checking your tire pressure regularly and keeping it properly inflated helps your car roll more easily on the road. Checking your tyre pressure regularly can make a big difference in how much fuel you use.
Using the Right Fuel
Your car likes certain types of fuel best. Using the type that your car’s maker recommends is important. Buying more expensive premium fuel when your car doesn’t need it is just throwing money away!
Driving in Ways That Save Fuel
Gentle Driving Habits
The way you drive makes a huge difference in how much fuel you use. Here are some easy driving techniques that save fuel:
- Be gentle when you press the gas pedal – see how it will work on the firs few weeks
- Try to keep a steady speed and use cruise control on highways
- Turn off your engine if you’re stopped for more than a minute
- Don’t use air conditioning too much, especially when driving slowly
These little changes to how you drive can save fuel right away without costing you anything!
Planning Your Trips Better
Try not to make lots of separate trips. Instead, plan ahead to reduce fuel costs and do all your errands in one go. Use maps to find the shortest routes, and try to avoid driving during rush hour when there’s lots of stop-and-go traffic, which uses more fuel.
Planning your trips is one of the easiest ways to use less fuel. When you combine errands into one trip, you drive fewer total miles and avoid sitting in traffic jams that waste fuel.
Making Your Car Lighter
The heavier your car is, the more fuel it needs. Take out anything you don’t need from your car to reduce rolling resistance and make it lighter. Those roof racks? If you’re not using them, take them off! Every extra bit of weight means your car needs more fuel to move.
Using Air Conditioning Wisely
When to Use Air Conditioning
Using air conditioning makes your car use more fuel. If it’s not too hot, try opening your windows instead, especially when driving slowly. When you’re driving under 80km/h, open windows are better for saving fuel. But when you’re going faster than that, air conditioning might actually be better because open windows create drag.
Setting the Right Temperature
When you do need to use air conditioning, set it to the lowest temperature that still keeps you comfortable. Using the “recirculate” button helps too, because your car doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the air. This way, you can stay cool without using too much extra fuel.
Choosing Cars That Use Less Fuel
Cars That Sip Fuel Instead of Gulping It
Picking a fuel-efficient car is one of the best ways to save on fuel costs over time. Here are some good choices:
- Small cars like the Toyota Yaris Ascent and Suzuki Alto use very little fuel
- Hybrid cars that use both electricity and petrol are great for city driving
- Electric cars don’t use any fuel at all, but they cost more to buy at first
The Suzuki Alto has won awards three years in a row for being cheap to run – just $120 per week for everything!
Comparing Different Types of Cars
When you’re thinking about which car to buy, look at all the costs:
- Regular petrol cars cost less to buy but more to run
- Hybrid cars cost a bit more to buy but save you money on fuel over time
- Electric cars cost the most to buy but have the lowest running costs and don’t produce any pollution
Even though hybrids cost more at first, they can be cheaper in the long run because electric vehicles use less fuel. They also need less maintenance because the electric motor helps the petrol engine last longer.
Other Ways to Get Around
Public Transport and Sharing Rides
When fuel prices are really high, try these alternatives:
- Use buses, trains, or trams where they’re available
- Share rides with friends or coworkers to split the fuel costs
- For short trips, try walking or riding a bike – it’s free and good for your health!
Working from Home
With more flexible work options these days, working from home can save a lot on fuel costs. If you can work from home even one or two days a week, especially if you have commercial vehicles, you’ll use much less fuel.
Using Technology to Help
Apps and Tools That Save Fuel
Besides apps that compare fuel prices, there are other helpful tools:
- Navigation apps that show you the most fuel-efficient routes
- Systems that track how much fuel your car is using
- The NSW Government’s Fuel Consumption Guide helps you compare different car models
Energy Solutions for Home
If you have an electric car, putting solar panels on your roof can make charging much cheaper while also cutting your home energy bills. By choosing green energy or using solar panels, you can charge your car with clean electricity that doesn’t pollute.
Charging during the day makes the most of solar energy, and picking a green energy provider means your electricity comes from clean sources.
Final Thoughts
Using these simple tips can help you save lots of money on fuel in NSW. From easy changes in how you drive to bigger decisions like which car to buy, every step toward using less fuel helps your wallet and our planet.
By combining several approaches—keeping your car in good shape, driving smartly, choosing the right vehicle, using price comparison apps, and trying other ways to get around—you can cut your fuel costs while driving around NSW more cheaply.
Remember, it’s the little things done consistently that add up to big savings. Small changes, when you do them all the time, can save you lots of money over time and help you deal with those rising fuel prices.
