Petrol and diesel owners urged to follow this one fuel tip to save money
The RAC and AA have shared the fuel-saving tips with UK drivers.
Petrol and diesel owners are being urged to follow some thrifty fuel-saving tips when filling up. According to the AA and the RAC, drivers should make sure they have pump price apps installed on their phones if they want to make sure they are getting the best deals.
Motorists should not fill up at the first petrol station; instead, they are encouraged to shop around. Drivers can quickly find the best rates near them by using online pump price services, which are usually updated multiple times per day.
The service is simple. Motorists only need to add their postcode, which will then bring up the cheapest fuel stations nearby. Drivers can then choose filters to show either the cheapest or closest petrol station. This will prevent drivers from accidentally breaking down on the way to top up.
When asked the best way to save fuel, Luke Bosdet, AA spokesperson, told Express.co.uk: “Pump price apps and the mpg gauge on the dashboard. Early next year, almost all fuel retailers will have to report in near-real time pump price changes.
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"That will hopefully spur competition but equally important is the greater sophistication and less restriction of fuel price search apps.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Simon Williams, RAC fuel spokesperson, agreed and stressed that fuel apps were vital to making savings.
He explained: “Filling up at the cheapest price is vital, so using free-to-download apps, such as myRAC, to find the lowest price fuel near you is by far the best tip. Once you’ve got the best price possible, driving smoothly and sensibly within the speed limit will ensure you get the most for your money.”
Data from RAC Fuel Watch states that supermarket Unleaded petrol prices are still considerably cheaper than rival brands. On average, UK supermarkets charge road users 131.5p per litre, significantly lower than the 136.4p per litre charged at independent stations or fuel chains.
Luke added, “Previously, you would search around a location and would likely be restricted by the number of searches a day or a week. Now the AA App not only gives you as many searches as you want but also allows you to expand the search area.
“More importantly, you can track along a route, save your favourite location for that route and get directions to a fuel station you want to visit. Other apps will likely follow suit.”
Motoring expert and CEO at Lotus Car Rental Alexander Haraldsson, previously advised petrol and diesel drivers to avoid the pumps later in the week.
He explained: "When it comes to saving money on fuel, the advice is quite simple: fill up early in the week. We typically see prices rise towards the weekend, with Friday and Saturday being the most expensive days due to increased leisure travel.
"For the best value, try to get to the pump on a Monday or Tuesday. For those really looking to maximise their savings, getting into the habit of filling up late at night when the air is cooler can also help."
Beyond offering advice on the optimal days to top up petrol or diesel vehicles, Alexander also cautioned that drivers might face additional price hikes later this month.
He continued: "As for August, drivers should brace for potential price increases. Petrol prices rose by nearly 3p from June to July, and diesel by around 4.5p. These increases pushed the cost of filling a typical family car to over £74 for unleaded and £78 for diesel by the end of July.
"Given this recent trend and the current volatility in the oil markets due to global factors like geopolitical tensions and supply changes, we predict these price increases to continue throughout the month."