RAC Fuel Champions
Tips from RAC Fuel Champions can help you save money on fuel costs. You can save $1,000 per year on 4WD's, $500 per year on medium cars and $200 per year on small cars.
Reduce fuel when driving: 
- Drive smoothly - don't accelerate or brake harshly, as aggressive driving can increase fuel consumption (by up to 30%) and increase vehicle emissions compared to driving smoothly.
- Reduce your travel speed - travelling at 90 km/h instead of 110km/hr uses 10% less fuel.
- Read the traffic - look ahead to smooth out changes in speed and reduce the number of times you put your foot on the brake.
- Don't rest your foot on the brake in automatic cars - the extra drag increases fuel consumption by up to 5%, causes more rapid brake wear and confuses the driver behind, who can't tell when you're really braking.
- Switch off the engine when stuck in traffic - turn the key to the accessory position (not completely off) and shift the automatic transmission to park or neutral. When the traffic starts moving again, you can start the engine immediately.
Reduce car fuel use:
- Keep the weight down - every extra kilo requires more fuel to accelerate and keep moving.
- Maintain tyre pressure - poorly maintained tyres will increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption by up to 2%. Check your owner's manual for the correct tyre pressures.
- Switch off air conditioning - open your windows in urban areas or when driving below 70km/hr. This reduces fuel consumption by up to 10%. At higher speeds open windows can create as much drag as air conditioning, so there's little advantage in turning it off.
- Remove roof racks and bull bars - they increase aerodynamic drag and weight and can increase fuel consumption by up to 5%, depending on driving style and the vehicle.
- Have your car serviced at the manufacturer's recommended intervals - faults may develop which can increase fuel consumption and reduce performance. A dirty air-filter can increase fuel consumption by up to 5%.
- Don't over-fill the fuel tank - excess fuel either evaporates or is absorbed into the charcoal canister and is lost. It can also upset the fuel mixture. When refilling, fill only to the first pump 'click off'. Make sure the fuel tank cap is in good condition and replaced securely to prevent fuel evaporating from the tank.
- Consider car and engine size - a V8 or 4WD can use twice as much fuel as a small car and cost more to maintain, insure and register.
Reduce kilometres travelled:
- Walk or cycle for short trips.
- Use public transport.
- Combine trips.