How to Save Money and Fuel During the Current Fuel Crisis

If you’ve filled up lately, you’ll already know—prices are climbing again. Ongoing disruption in the Middle East is squeezing supply, and UK drivers are feeling it at the pump. While you can’t control global events, you can control how much you spend getting from A to B.

Here’s how to take the edge off.

Drive Properly, Not Quickly
Smooth driving isn’t just safer—it’s cheaper. Gentle acceleration, anticipating traffic and avoiding heavy braking all reduce fuel use. Done right, this alone can cut consumption noticeably without adding time to your journey.

Keep Moving Where You Can
One thing often overlooked—cars are at their least efficient when constantly stopping and starting. Reading the road ahead, easing off early, and maintaining momentum where possible can save more fuel than you’d expect.

Be Smart With Air Conditioning
It’s easy to leave the air con running all the time, but it does hit your fuel economy. It puts extra load on the engine, meaning it has to work harder just to keep the cabin cool.

Better approach? Save it for when you actually need it—hot days or longer drives. Around town or at lower speeds, opening a window is often the more efficient option. Small change, but it all adds up.

Your Car Might Be Costing You More Than You Think
A few simple tweaks can make a noticeable difference:

• Keep tyres correctly inflated – poor pressure can increase fuel use by up to 10% - do not over inflate though!

• Remove excess weight – everything in the boot adds to fuel consumption

• Ditch the roof rack when not in use – it creates drag even when empty

• Keep your car serviced – a well-maintained engine runs more efficiently

These are small wins individually, but together they can make a real dent in your monthly fuel spend.

Use the Tech in Your Car (You’ve Already Paid for It)
Modern cars often have features designed to save fuel:

• Start/stop systems reduce fuel wasted in traffic

• Cruise control can help maintain efficient motorway speeds

• Some sat-navs offer “eco routes” to avoid traffic and hills

• Monitor your miles per gallon and turn efficiency into a game, try to beat your last journey!

Most people ignore these—but they’re there for a reason.

Stop Paying Over the Odds for Fuel
One of the biggest missed tricks isn’t driving—it’s where you fill up.

Fuel prices can vary massively even within a few miles, so it’s worth checking before you pull in. Download a fuel prices app or use the various websites that publish this information. Also worth remembering:

• Motorway services are usually the most expensive

• Supermarkets are often cheaper

• Prices fluctuate locally—don’t assume your regular station is still competitive

Use Loyalty Schemes and Cashback
Supermarket points, fuel apps and cashback cards can shave a few pence off every litre. It doesn’t sound like much, but over a year it adds up—especially if you’re doing regular mileage.

Think About How and When You Fill Up
Planning ahead can help. Filling up before you’re desperate avoids being forced into expensive forecourts, and even small habits—like letting the last drops from the nozzle drain into your tank—mean you’re not wasting fuel you’ve already paid for.

Plan Your Journeys (And Combine Them)
Cold engines are inefficient. Multiple short trips burn far more fuel than one longer, planned journey. If you can combine errands into a single run, you’ll waste less fuel and less time, it’s also better for your engine longer term. Short journeys also tend to clog Diesel Particulate Filters over time, which can be expensive to fix!

Slow Down Slightly on Faster Roads
This is one people don’t like hearing—but it works. Dropping your motorway speed even slightly can cut fuel use meaningfully, as higher speeds dramatically increase consumption. But, always stay at a safe legal speed for the road, being obstructive can be unsafe and lead to issues with other drivers and the Police! Most internal combustion cars are at their most efficient at around 55-60 mph.

Consider Whether It’s Time to Go Electric
If fuel prices continue to stay high, it might be worth thinking longer term. Electric vehicles can dramatically reduce running costs, especially if you can charge at home on a cheaper tariff. All those short local journeys are generally better (and cheaper) with an EV. No fuel stops, fewer moving parts, and generally lower day-to-day costs all add up over time.

That said, switching isn’t right for everyone—and that’s where That Honest Car Guy comes in. If you’re curious about making the move, or just want to understand whether an EV, PHEV or any other vehicle would actually save you money based on how you drive, getting proper, unbiased advice can stop you making an expensive mistake. Drop me a line and I’ll happily talk you through the options and if you want to, work with me to find your next car I’ll be only to pleased to help take the load off your shoulders!

Final Thought
There’s no magic fix while prices are being pushed around by global events. But stack a few of these habits together—drive smarter, maintain your car properly, and be strategic about where you fill up—and you’ll feel the difference.

Most people tweak one thing. The savings come when you do several.