Petrol prices have dipped a bit and gave some respite to drivers in the recent week. But prices are still high compared to a year ago.
The popular 95-octane costs S$3.15 per litre before discount, which is 23% higher than S$2.57 last year. Diesel is worse with a 44% increase.
I can feel the price change at the pump even though I drive short distances. I spend about $200 a month on fuel in the past. Now it is closer to $300.
The cost increase is more impactful to those who drive regularly, particularly for taxis and private-hire cars. Fares have risen so as to pass down part of the cost increase to passengers.
With petrol prices unlikely to come down significantly in the near future, what can drivers do to save money on petrol?
10 ways to save money on petrol in Singapore
1. Drive an energy-efficient car
This would make the most difference but also the hardest option in this list if you do not plan to change your car any time soon, especially with COE above $100k.
But if you are, it would make sense to choose a car that is fuel efficient. The current most fuel-efficient cars are the hybrid models. For example, a hybrid Toyota Prius can do above 20km/l while a 100%-petrol Toyota Wish of the same engine capacity is doing 12km/l. Hence, you can shave off half the petrol costs with a hybrid!
How about switching to a fully electric vehicle (EV)? A Tesla Model 3 cost about $24 to charge fully with the superchargers. It gives a range of 400km. The cost per km is $0.04 while a Toyota Prius would do $0.12 per km. An EV is almost 4 times cheaper than a hybrid!
2. Strategically plan the locations in your routine
If changing your car is not an option, consider planning your routine activities near to your home.
I hate to commute long distances because it wastes precious time. Hence my family stay near the locations where we conduct our daily activities. Our workplaces and kids’ schools are within 10 minutes of driving. This reduces the distance travelled and fuel consumption too.
Again, this is not an option for everyone as some workplaces are at the far ends of island. But still worth a shot if you can plan the locations right the first time, rather than to compensate with longer driving distances.
3. Use public transport where possible
Since you are reading this, I assume you find a car convenient and it is not an option to give it up and take public transport.
That said, it doesn’t mean you cannot utilise the public transport system occasionally. It can help to reduce wear and tear on your car as well as petrol costs.
For example, I find it more convenient to take the MRT from the office to a meeting in the CBD area. It is only a couple of stops and faster than driving when there’s congestion. It saves parking fees too.
Review your travelling plan and you might be able to augment your driving with public transport where it makes sense.
4. Maximise card discounts
You should be using credit cards to pay for petrol if you haven’t already. Make sure you maximise the discount you can get at the petrol station of your choice.
- For Shell, Citi Cash Back Card and UOB One can get you more than 20% discounts.
- For Esso, use DBS Esso Card, Citi Cash Back Card, OCBC 365 Card or NTUC/OCBC Plus! Card for 20+% discounts.
- For SPC, POSB Everyday Card, UOB and AMEX cards are would give you 20% discount or more.
Do some research and make sure you are using the best card for your petrol purchases!
5. Check your route and avoid jams
Traffic jams extend your travelling time and burns more petrol unnecessarily.
You can make use of technology to help you. Don’t assume that your usual route is always the best route to take. Sometimes the route can be congested due to unforeseen circumstances like an accident.
Before you drive off, use Google Maps to check the traffic condition. You can take an alternative route if indeed there’s congestion.
This can relate to point #2 and #3 too. The effects of traffic jams are less impactful when your travelling distances are short. Your exposure is significantly reduced. And if the jams are so bad, taking the MRT might help you avoid them altogether.
6. Practise good driving habits
Your driving style can have an impact on fuel consumption. An aggressive driver would make the car work harder and hence consume more fuel.
Accelerate gradually and don’t floor the accelerator pedal. In Singapore, traffic lights are aplenty and start-stop traffic is commonly encountered. There’s little point in accelerating quickly only to stop at the next junction shortly.
Use engine brakes to slow the car instead of braking abruptly. Automatic cars may not offer a downshift in gears for engine braking but the idea is about lifting your foot away from the accelerator so that the air intake valve closes and fuel injection is cut.
The most efficient fuel consumption speed is typically around 80-90km/h. Such speeds can be achieved on the highways in Singapore so choose highways over major roads for your routes. And resist the temptation of driving at high speed as the air resistance would cause your car to burn more fuel.
7. Inflate your tires
This is a no brainer but I’m still surprised how many people do not bother – I’m guilty as charged.
Tires that are under-inflated would result in increased fuel consumption. More friction means the engine has to work harder and hence, use more fuel.
You can check the sticker located at the car door to get the recommended tire pressure.
Every petrol station provides an air pump so you can conveniently pump your tires after you filled your tank. You should pump the tires at least once a month.
8. Drive without air-con when not on the highway and on a cool day
Air-conditioning (AC) can increase fuel consumption by 8-10%. Unfortunately it isn’t practical in hot Singapore to drive without the AC most of the time.
But there will be days where the weather is cool and you get a chance to wind down the window to enjoy the fresh air. It can be a nice experience besides reducing fuel consumption.
It is important to note that you should not keep the windows down when travelling on the highway. This is because at higher speed, air resistance becomes significant and would cause higher fuel consumption than the amount of energy saved by turning off the AC.
9. Don’t idle the engine
Leaving your engine running when the car is stationary wastes petrol. The engine still burns fuel even though the car isn’t moving.
You should turn off the engine if you are stopped for more than 30 seconds.
In fact, it is an offence to leave your car idling while it is stationary. Owners can be fined up to $2,000 for the first offence and $5,000 for subsequent offences, if convicted in court.
Step out of the car and wait somewhere else.
10. Remove unnecessary load
Sometimes the car can become a mobile storage place. They can be items that are not needed for the journey or things that can be placed elsewhere. Examples are car washing items, foldable chairs and storage boxes.
Extra weight in the car would increase fuel consumption as the engine has to work harder to move the car. It is advisable to remove any unnecessary items that you don’t use often.
I know some drivers remove their spare tire which I think is still acceptable considering that Singapore’s towing service is readily available. But having a breakdown sign would come in handy to warn other motorists to stay away.
Time to save costs and go green!
Rising fuel costs have made it painful enough for drivers to pay attention to how they use energy. Hopefully the tips shared will help you to cut down on petrol consumption and save some money.
The bright side of it is that we are learning how to go greener.
Do share other tips you have with us in the comments below!