A Driver’s Guide to Cutting Fuel Costs by Optimising Fuel Consumption
What exactly is fuel consumption, and what can you do to cut down on fuel costs? Here are some easy ways to keep your money in your pocket.
Every time you pull into a fuel station, you feel that familiar sting in your wallet. Fuel prices keep climbing, and your monthly budget feels the squeeze. But here’s some good news – you have more control over your fuel consumption than you might think.
Small changes in how you drive and maintain your car can lead to significant savings over time, plus you’ll be doing your bit for the environment too.

Understanding fuel consumption isn’t rocket science, and the practical tips we’ll share can help any driver, from the daily commuter navigating Johannesburg traffic to the weekend adventurer exploring the Garden Route. Let’s break down what you need to know about getting more kilometres from every litre.
See also: How to save money on fuel in any car – 10 fuel-saving tips that actually work
What Fuel Consumption Really Means
Fuel consumption is exactly how much petrol or diesel your car consumes to travel a certain distance. In South Africa, we typically measure this as litres per 100 kilometres (L/100 km) – so if your car uses 8 litres per 100 km, that’s what you’ll burn through on a highway drive from Cape Town to Stellenbosch.

Some people prefer thinking about fuel efficiency instead, which flips the equation around. This measures how far you can travel on a single litre, expressed as kilometres per litre (km/L). Both measurements tell the same story, just from different angles. Understanding these numbers will help you compare different vehicles and track your driving performance.
See also: Most Fuel-Efficient New Cars in South Africa
Why Your Fuel Bill Matters
The financial impact of fuel consumption is significant every month. For example, a car that consumes 12 L/100 km instead of 8 L/100 km will use an extra 40 litres of petrol for every 1 000 km driven.

At current petrol prices of about R21 per litre (June 2025), this difference costs roughly R840 more for every 1 000 km. Over a typical annual distance of 20 000 km, that adds up to approximately R16 800 extra in fuel costs. This highlights how choosing a more fuel-efficient vehicle and adopting fuel-saving driving habits can lead to substantial savings for the average South African driver.
Beyond your wallet, there’s the bigger picture to consider. Every litre of fuel you save means fewer emissions pumped into our atmosphere. South Africa’s air quality, particularly in industrial areas around Johannesburg and Durban, benefits when we all consume less fuel.
See also: Most Fuel-Efficient Budget Cars in SA

How to Calculate Your Car’s Fuel Consumption
Working out your fuel consumption is surprisingly straightforward. Fill your tank completely, then reset your trip meter to zero. Drive normally until you need fuel again – ideally after covering at least 300-400 kilometres for accuracy.
At your next fill-up, note how many litres it took to fill the tank and check your trip meter reading. Divide the litres used by the kilometres travelled, then multiply by 100.
So, if you used 45 litres to travel 600 km, that’s 45 ÷ 600 × 100 = 7.5 litres/100 km (7.5 L/100 km). Keep track of these numbers over several fill-ups to get your average consumption pattern.
What Affects Your Fuel Usage
Your Car’s Design

Some factors are built into your vehicle and can’t be changed. Heavier cars with larger engines naturally consume more fuel than lighter, smaller-engine alternatives. A full-size family SUV will never match a compact hatchback’s fuel economy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve whatever you’re driving.
Aerodynamics play a bigger role than most people realise. Cars with boxy shapes or high ground clearance push more air resistance, especially at highway speeds. Even something as simple as driving with your windows down at 120 kph can increase consumption by 10% compared to using the aircon.
Your Driving Style

Here’s where you have real control. Aggressive driving – rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding – can increase fuel consumption by up to 40% compared to smooth, steady driving. South African traffic conditions often tempt us into stop-start patterns, but learning to anticipate traffic flow helps minimise this waste.
Hills and terrain make a difference, too. The drive from Durban to Pietermaritzburg involves significant climbing, which naturally increases fuel use. Smart drivers build momentum before hills and coast over crests to recover some efficiency.

Vehicle Maintenance
A well-maintained car runs more efficiently. Under-inflated tyres create extra rolling resistance – just 0.3 bar below the recommended pressure can increase consumption by 3%. Dirty air filters restrict airflow to the engine, while old oil creates more internal friction.
Regular servicing keeps everything running smoothly. A properly aligned car with balanced wheels, clean filters, and fresh oil will consistently outperform a neglected vehicle in fuel economy tests.
See also: Most Fuel-Efficient Double-Cab Bakkies in SA
Smart Driving Techniques
Smooth and Steady Wins
The most effective change you can make costs nothing – just adjust how you use the accelerator and brake pedals. Gradual acceleration and gentle braking keep your engine in its efficiency sweet spot. Try to maintain steady speeds and anticipate traffic lights and stop signs so you can coast to a stop rather than braking hard.

Building this habit takes practice, but the fuel savings are immediate. Many modern cars even have eco-driving indicators that light up when you’re driving efficiently. Use these as training tools until smooth driving becomes second nature.
Speed Management
Sticking closer to speed limits saves fuel and keeps you legal. Most cars hit their efficiency peak around 80 and 90 kph, with consumption rising steeply above 110 kph. On long highway drives, maintaining 110 kph instead of 130 kph can reduce fuel use by 15 to 20%.
Air conditioning versus open windows creates an interesting trade-off. Around town, open windows work fine and save fuel. But above 80 kph, the drag from open windows actually uses more energy than running the aircon, so switch to AC for highway driving.

Practical Maintenance Tips
Keep these maintenance priorities in check:
- Tyre pressure: Check monthly and maintain manufacturer specifications
- Regular servicing: Follow your car’s service schedule for oil, filters, and tune-ups
- Remove excess weight: Clear out unnecessary items from your boot and back seats
- Plan efficient routes: Combine multiple errands into single trips to reduce cold-start fuel waste
Smart trip planning makes a difference, too:
- Avoid peak traffic: Rush hour stop-start driving doubles fuel consumption
- Combine errands: Multiple short trips use more fuel than one longer journey
- Remove accessories: Take off roof racks, bike carriers, and roof boxes when not needed
- Minimise idling: Turn off your engine if you’ll be stopped for more than 30 seconds

Choosing Your Next Car
If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, fuel consumption ratings provide valuable comparison data. The difference between a 6 L/100 km and 10 L/100 km car means you could save roughly R840 for every 1 000 km you drive, based on a price of around R21 per litre. Over 5 years and 100 000 km, that adds up to approximately R84 000 saved – money that stays in your pocket instead of going to the fuel station.
Consider your driving needs rather than wants. That double-cab bakkie might look appealing, but if you’re mostly commuting solo on tar roads, a sedan or hatchback will serve you better financially. Hybrid vehicles are becoming more common in Mzansi and can offer excellent fuel economy for city driving.
See also: Most Fuel-Efficient Petrol Cars in South Africa
See also: Most Fuel-Efficient Diesel Cars in SA

Drive Smart, Save Money
Small changes in your driving habits and vehicle maintenance can cut your fuel consumption by 10 to 20% without spending extra money. These aren’t massive lifestyle adjustments – just smarter approaches to how you drive and care for your car.
The best part? You’ll notice the savings immediately at your next few fill-ups. Track your consumption over the next month as you implement these tips, and you’ll likely be surprised by how much control you truly have over your fuel costs.
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