Learn about small changes that can help you drive more efficiently, like checking tyre pressure and lightening your vehicle’s load, and find tips for buying a more efficient car. 

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Drive smarter to save fuel

The way you drive has an impact on your fuel usage and the general wear and tear on your vehicle. And of course ― safe driving is better for everyone.

  • Stick to the speed limit

    If safe to do so, reducing your speed from 100 km/h to 80 km/h can lower your fuel use by about 15%.1 

  • Anticipate slowing

    Look ahead and take your foot off the accelerator to let the car slow down gently, rather than braking hard. 

  • Save the air conditioning for the motorway

    Using air con can increase fuel use by 10%.2 Instead, open windows and use the fan when driving 50 km/h or below. 

  • Lighten the load

     Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle, including roof racks/boxes and cycle racks if you're not using them. 

Maintain your vehicle 

Regular maintenance can make a big difference to your vehicle’s safety, lifespan and fuel efficiency — with a well-maintained vehicle using 10–20% less fuel than a poorly maintained one.3 

  • Get your vehicle serviced regularly — Have oil and air filters changed when they’re due and keep your engine tuned. 
  • Ask for eco tyres — Some manufacturers claim that tyres with a lower rolling resistance can reduce energy use by to up 7%.4 
  • Have your wheels aligned — Proper wheel alignment helps to avoid rapid and uneven wear on your tyres. 
  • Look at tyre tread depth — Bulges, lumps or cuts are signs that a tyre may need replacing. Although 1.5 mm is the legal minimum tread depth, the grip of tyres in wet conditions reduces more rapidly once tread is below 3 mm. 
  • Don’t forget trailer tyres — These are often poorly maintained or under-inflated, but significantly affect fuel usage. Check them as often as other vehicle tyres. 

Get your tyre pressure right

All tyres gradually lose air. Many newer vehicles have a monitor that alerts you when the tyre pressure falls below a certain level.

If yours doesn’t have this feature, then check the pressure every month to make your tyres last longer. Your vehicle will handle better and be safer.

  • Find your vehicle's correct tyre pressure — It's usually on a label inside the driver's door, the fuel flap, or in your vehicle handbook.
  • Check pressure when your tyres are cold — Either after the car has been parked for at least 3 hours or driven less than 2 km at low speed.
  • It's easy at a service station — Most have a pump with a built-in gauge. Enter the correct pressure into the air pump and keep the tyre gauge pressed into the valve system until the air pump beeps.
  • Check all your tyres — Don't forget the spare.
  • Add extra air if you're towing or carrying a full load — Check your vehicle handbook, or as a rule of thumb add 4 psi (28 kpa or 0.28 bar) to the recommended pressure.

Vehicle efficiency features

Make a good investment when purchasing your next car by finding a model with features that improve fuel efficiency.

  • The right size for you

    Smaller cars need less energy to get moving, so it pays to get the smallest car that suits your needs — it'll likely cost less to insure as well.

  • Vehicle age

    Older vehicles typically cost more to run, and produce more emissions than newer models. This is because manufacturers are getting better at optimising fuel efficiency in the vehicles they make, and they are making them safer too. 

  • Maintenance history

    A poorly-maintained car can use 10-20% more fuel than a well-maintained one — so choose a vehicle with a documented service history or get it checked over by a good mechanic before you buy.

  • Automation

    Features like auto stop start, cruise control and a tyre pressure monitor can help you drive more efficiently and save fuel. 

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Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Labels

Under Regulations, motor vehicle traders must display a Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Label (VEEEL) on cars, utes and vans they’re selling that weigh 3.5 tonnes or under, provided the information is available.

Vehicles with more stars are more energy efficient — up to a maximum of 6 stars. Better energy efficiency means that for each kilometre travelled, you burn less fuel and release fewer carbon emissions.

 

  • How fuel efficient is your vehicle?

    Find out, along with the safety rating and more, by entering your number plate on the Rightcar website.

  • How ratings are calculated

    Find out about how emissions and energy economy star ratings are calculated, and how new vehicles are tested.