Some novated leases are set up so that your employer (who handles the repayments for the novated lease) also takes care of fuel. This isn’t the case for absolutely every salary sacrifice deal, but it certainly is for some. However, whether your novated lease does or doesn’t include payments for fuel, ideas for saving fuel are always smart – after all, if the boss is handling the fuel costs, then it’s a good idea to keep the boss happy so that this situation continues. And if your novated lease deal just covers the lease payments for a new car, then saving fuel is something that you definitely want to do.
Of course, these fuel saving tips mostly apply to petrol or diesel, rather than to electricity for EVs. You could argue that with an EV, you are already saving by not having to deal with fringe benefit taxes (yes, EVs are except from this type of tax), so it doesn’t matter whether you’re saving on fuel or not. All the same, a lot of these tips will help EVs get better range (but not all of them – and that’s another topic for another post).
Anyway, let’s get on with the good stuff: our best ideas for saving fuel.
Fuel Saving Tip #1: Gently Does It
If you insist on accelerating like crazy all the time and not just when you have to dart into the first available gap in traffic because you don’t know when the next one’s coming along, then you’ll burn through more fuel. Use your right foot gently and you’ll cut down on fuel use. The same goes for braking. If you let the car slow down naturally when you know there’s an intersection coming up rather than banging on the brake at the last possible moment, then you’ll use a spot less fuel.
Fuel Saving Tip #2: Air Resistance Is Futile
Modern vehicles are designed to have the best aerodynamic and low drag coefficients. However, if you do something to change the aerodynamics for the worse, you’ll increase the amount of fuel needed to get your car moving. This means that if you don’t actually need that roof rack, then take it off, as you’re adding to the drag. Even if it’s empty, it’ll increase the air resistance.
Fuel Saving Tip #3: Don’t Get Conned By The Air Con
Running the air conditioning unit requires energy, so if you have it running, you’ll use more fuel. Of course, if it’s a roasting hot summer day that’s well into the 30s, then switch that air conditioning on. Saving fuel is no good if you’re suffering from heat stroke. However, sometimes, just opening the vents and letting air flow through the cabin might be enough to keep things comfy. You could even open the windows, although this only saves on fuel at low speeds; at higher speeds on the open road or the motorway, having the windows down may affect the aerodynamics and use more fuel than the air conditioning would.
Fuel Saving Tip #4: Pump It Up To Keep The Pump Price Down
If your car’s tyres are too soft or underinflated, then the car will have to work that little bit harder. So don’t let your tyres get too flat. There’s a reason why kicking the tyres is a good idea. If your tyres are too hard or overinflated, then that can cause other problems (and be more likely to blow out) so look for that Goldilocks zone where it’s not too hard and not to soft but just right.
Fuel-Saving Tip #5: Lose Some Weight
Got too much junk in your trunk? No, not you! We’re talking about your actual trunk (boot). If you have lots of extra baggage that you lug around just in case, you’re making the car work harder. It’s basic physics that the heavier something is, the more energy it takes to move and change direction. So drop off those bags of old clothes at the charity shop and take out those other odd bits that lurk in there and don’t need to.
Fuel Saving Tip #6: Get Into Gear
Your car will use less fuel if the engine isn’t turning over as quickly. In other words, the lower the revs, the more fuel you can save. Sometimes, you need the higher revs, but if you’re just cruising or purring along, then you probably don’t. In a manual vehicle, select the highest gear that you can get away with. In the case of an automatic gearbox, you can find the sweet spot where your car uses fuel more efficiently. Many modern vehicles allow you to choose your driving mode and will play with the gears accordingly. There’s a reason why Economy mode is called economy mode, and it’s not a synonym for “boring”.
Fuel Saving Tip #7: Idling Isn’t Idyllic
If you have to stop for a while, turn the engine off. OK, this doesn’t apply at the lights or at a stop sign, but if you have to wait for someone, or if the local road works keep you held up for a lengthy period (and quite a few of them do), then switch off the engine. In fact, this is one reason why I’d never take a petrol car through a takeaway drivethrough, as long waits with the engine running are inevitable in this situation. Drivers of hybrids and EVs can look smug here, as this problem doesn’t affect them.
Fuel-Saving Tip #8: Know Your Limits
Keep to the speed limit! The faster you go, the more energy you consume. You’re more likely to save on fuel than save on time by keeping your speed down – and I know which sort of saving I’d prefer to do. What’s more, even the most generous of bosses is likely to balk at paying speeding tickets as part of a novated lease package, even if fuel costs are covered!
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be sure to enjoy some great savings in addition to what you’re already saving thanks to a novated lease (our calculator will give you an idea of what’s possible).