Unlock Summer Savings: Your Driving Style's Impact on Petrol Use in Australia

The Australian Summer: A Time for Adventure, and Savvy Fuel Management

Summer in Australia, in January 2026, brings with it the promise of sun-drenched road trips, beach holidays, and family gatherings. However, it also typically means an increase in kilometres driven and, often, a noticeable rise in your fuel expenditure. While global oil prices and local market conditions certainly play a role in what you pay at the pump, a significant, often overlooked, factor is your own driving style and vehicle habits. As a senior automotive journalist and fuel industry expert, I'm here to shed light on how you can take control of your petrol costs this summer, making every litre go further.

The Hidden Costs of Aggressive Driving

It's a common scenario: you're running late, or perhaps just feeling a bit impatient in traffic. You accelerate hard, brake sharply, and weave through lanes. While it might feel like you're saving time, you're almost certainly burning through far more petrol than necessary. Aggressive driving, characterised by rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding, is a major contributor to increased fuel consumption.

Studies have consistently shown that aggressive driving can decrease your fuel economy by as much as 30% on the highway and a staggering 40% in stop-and-go urban traffic. Each time you accelerate quickly, your engine demands a surge of fuel. Similarly, harsh braking converts kinetic energy into wasted heat, negating the fuel used to build that speed. Speeding also dramatically reduces fuel efficiency due to increased aerodynamic drag.

The Power of Smoothness: Eco-Driving Techniques

Conversely, adopting a smooth, anticipatory driving style can lead to substantial savings. Think of it as 'eco-driving'. By looking ahead and anticipating traffic flow, you can minimise sudden braking and acceleration, maintaining momentum and reducing the amount of fuel required to accelerate again.

• Gentle Acceleration: Gradually increase your speed rather than flooring the accelerator. This allows your engine to operate more efficiently.
• Anticipate Traffic: Maintain a safe following distance. This gives you more time to react to changes in traffic, allowing for gentle deceleration and avoiding unnecessary braking.
• Consistent Speed: On freeways, use cruise control where safe and appropriate to maintain a steady speed, minimising fuel consumption.
• Use Higher Gears: Drive in the highest possible gear suitable for your speed and the terrain to keep engine RPMs lower.

The NRMA found that smooth driving can save motorists as much as $1,400 a year on petrol, based on driving 20,000km annually. This highlights that small changes in behaviour can lead to significant financial benefits.

The Silent Fuel Killer: Idling

Many drivers are unaware of how much fuel is wasted when their engine is idling. Whether you're waiting in a drive-through, at a lengthy train crossing, or just pulled over, an idling engine consumes petrol without moving you a single metre.

Modern vehicles are designed to restart efficiently. If you anticipate being stationary for more than 30 to 60 seconds, it's generally more fuel-efficient to switch off your engine and restart it when you're ready to move. This small habit can make a noticeable difference over time.

Tyre Pressure: The Often-Overlooked Factor

Properly inflated tyres are fundamental to both safety and fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, forcing your engine to work harder and consume more fuel.

Experts suggest that if tyre pressure is 10% below the recommended level, fuel consumption can increase by around 2%, and by up to 4% if the pressure drops by 20%. Check your tyre pressure regularly – at least monthly – and inflate them to your vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure, found on a sticker in your driver's side door jamb or in your owner's manual.

Vehicle Maintenance: Beyond the Basics

A well-maintained vehicle is inherently more fuel-efficient. Neglecting regular servicing can lead to decreased performance and increased fuel consumption.

• Engine Oil: Use the correct grade of engine oil and change it regularly. Old or dirty oil increases friction, reducing efficiency.
• Air Filter: A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the engine, forcing it to work harder and use more fuel. Replace it according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Spark Plugs: Worn or faulty spark plugs lead to incomplete combustion, reducing fuel efficiency. Replace them as recommended.
• Wheel Alignment: Improper wheel alignment causes uneven tyre wear and increases rolling resistance, impacting fuel economy.
• Regular Servicing: Adhere to your vehicle's service schedule. A properly functioning engine doesn't have to work as hard, meaning less petrol consumed.

Load and Aerodynamics: Lighten Up Your Ride

Every kilogram of unnecessary weight in your car forces the engine to work harder, consuming more fuel. Before a long trip or even for daily commutes, remove any forgotten camping gear, sports equipment, or heavy tools from your boot or ute.

An NRMA study showed that a vehicle loaded to its maximum capacity increased fuel consumption by almost 24%. For every 45 kg of extra weight, your fuel efficiency can drop by about 1%.

Aerodynamic drag also plays a significant role, especially at higher speeds. Roof racks, for instance, significantly increase drag. Remove them when not in use, particularly for freeway driving. At highway speeds, it's generally more fuel-efficient to drive with your windows up and the air conditioning on, rather than with windows down, due to the drag created by open windows.

Air Conditioning Usage: Stay Cool, But Be Smart

Australia's summer heat often makes air conditioning a necessity for comfort and safety. However, running your car's air conditioning system does impact fuel economy. The air conditioning compressor places an extra load on your engine, requiring more petrol to operate.

The extent of this impact varies, but generally, you might see a 5% to 10% increase in fuel consumption, potentially rising to 10% to 25% in very hot conditions or stop-start traffic. To minimise this:

• Ventilate First: Before turning on the air con, open the windows for a minute or two to let hot air escape from the cabin. This reduces the initial workload on the system.
• Use Recirculation: Once the cabin is cool, switch to recirculation mode. This prevents the system from constantly cooling hot outside air.
• Be Mindful in Traffic: Air con uses more fuel in stop-start conditions. Consider turning it off for short periods if you're stuck in heavy traffic.

Strategic Route Planning: Your GPS to Savings

The shortest route isn't always the most economical. Efficient route planning can significantly cut fuel consumption by avoiding traffic congestion, minimising idle time, and reducing unnecessary stops.

• Combine Errands: Multiple short trips from a cold start use more fuel than one longer trip covering the same distance. Combine your errands to reduce cold starts.
• Avoid Peak Hours: If possible, travel during off-peak hours to avoid stop-start traffic, which is particularly bad for fuel economy.
• Use Navigation Apps: Modern navigation systems can provide real-time traffic updates and suggest the most efficient routes, helping you bypass bottlenecks and roadworks.

The Current Australian Fuel Landscape (January 2026)

Understanding the broader fuel market is also key to making informed decisions. As of January 2026, we continue to see variations in petrol prices across Australia. The federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), introduced in January 2025, aims to bring more fuel-efficient vehicles to the Australian market, which will benefit consumers in the long run.

Key Fuel Price Trends and Insights:

• Unleaded 91 prices are 18.6% higher in Melbourne (194.91 cpl) than in Perth (164.3 cpl).
• Premium 98 prices vary significantly across Australia, with Darwin (219.66 cpl) being 15.9% more expensive than Perth (189.52 cpl).
• Diesel is currently 12.5% more expensive in Canberra (196.11 cpl) compared to Adelaide (174.27 cpl).
• In Sydney, Premium 95 (192.86 cpl) costs 11.3% more than Unleaded 91 (173.3 cpl).
• Brisbane motorists can save 1.8% by choosing E10 (184.94 cpl) over Unleaded 91 (188.37 cpl).
• Adelaide currently offers the cheapest prices for 3 different fuel types, making it Australia's most affordable capital city for motorists.
• The top 3 cheapest capital cities for Unleaded 91 are currently Perth (164.3 cpl), Adelaide (165.11 cpl), and Hobart (170.3 cpl).

National Best Value Locations (January 2026):

While prices fluctuate, we've observed some incredibly competitive prices across the nation:

• Fuel (VIC): 77.9 cpl
• SOLO (SA): 89.5 cpl
• APCO (NSW): 89.9 cpl
• 7-Eleven (QLD): 98.9 cpl
• Independent (TAS): 108.9 cpl

Conversely, motorists in some areas are facing significantly higher costs. For example, AMPOL (NT) is seeing prices as high as 198.8 cpl, and FuelXpress (NT) at 187.5 cpl. Costco in the ACT is at 180.7 cpl, while Energy (QLD) is 169.5 cpl and Costco (SA) at 168.7 cpl.

Your Summer Driving Advantage: Knowledge and Technology

Embracing these smart driving habits isn't just about saving a few dollars; it's about fostering a more economical, safer, and environmentally conscious approach to motoring. As Australian motorists, we're uniquely positioned to enjoy incredible landscapes and the freedom of the open road. By being mindful of how we drive and how our vehicles perform in the summer heat, we can maximise those experiences without unnecessary cost.

While adopting these habits will undoubtedly trim your petrol consumption, combining them with smart purchasing decisions is the ultimate strategy. This is where a tool like FuelRadar becomes invaluable. FuelRadar provides real-time fuel prices Australia-wide, helping you find the cheapest fuel nearby, directly from your iOS or Android device. Before you embark on your next journey, check the FuelRadar map at https://fuelradar.com.au/map to ensure you're getting the best possible value for your petrol. Drive smarter, save more, and truly unlock your summer savings.