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From: Doug Jewell on 30 Jul 2010 05:30
Marts wrote:
> An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000 adults
> on driving and saving on running costs.
>
> http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/motorists-clueless-about-costsaving-20100727-10t0l.html?posted=sucessful
>
> How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
> example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?
The half tank thing is bull. A typical 65L tank has about
48kg of petrol when full. The 24kg weight difference will
have sfa difference in fuel usage.
>

> As for driving around looking for cheaper fuel isn't that a waste of fuel in
> itself? Besides, where I live all of the servos sell it at the same price. And
> price movements can be timed to the nano-second at all of the outlets (BP,
> Shell, Caltex (formerly Mobil) and some indie mob the name of which escapes me).
Even driving around to find cheap petrol is not usually
economical. Filling 60L into a near-empty tank, at 12L/100km
(pretty typical for a mid to large car around the city), at
today's typical price of $1.20/L (which is what it is
locally), each 1c saving equates to 4km. Any more than 4km
out of your way to get the fuel, and it costs more than the
saving. If fuel costs are more than $1.20, if you put less
than 60L into the tank, or your car uses more than 12/100,
then the distance you can travel for a 1c saving is even
less. By all means if you are aware of a chap petrol station
that isn't much out of your way then go there, but you will
usually waste money by looking for it.
>
> The rest are no brainers (tyre pressures, etc.)
Probably the best way to reduce the cost of owning your
vehicle is to never be the first owner. Even if you spend a
bit on repairs, it will be most unlikely to even come close
to the depreciation loss on a brand new car.

Another good way to save money is to do basic maintenance
yourself.
>


--
What is the difference between a duck?
From: Kev on 30 Jul 2010 10:48
Marts wrote:
> An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000 adults
> on driving and saving on running costs.
>
> http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/motorists-clueless-about-costsaving-20100727-10t0l.html?posted=sucessful
>
> How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
> example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?

It maybe valid if you drive a Landcruiser
fuel capacity of 150L, that's around 120 or so kg more weight(depending
on the fuel, .73kg/l for petrol and .83kg/l for diesel
then you have to look at overall extra weight
my cruiser weighs 2.7 tonne, an extra 120kg is hardly noticed
my Prado is right on 2 tonnes and has 85L of fuel which is 70 odd kg
But then only half filling them when the fuel price is 10cpl cheaper is
pretty silly

> I don't use shopper dockets as I have a fuel card which gives me some
> significant savings, already. Plus, being on a novated lease the fuel is paid
> for pre-tax. So for me, $1 of fuel costs me, nett, around 68 cents. (And each
> transaction has a charge attached to it. So, if I were to partially fill up I'd
> be paying more in transaction charges).

the shopper dockets get used when we fill up at one of their servos, we
don't specifically go to them since they are out of our way
but since they rip us when we buy groceries at least we get something back

> As for driving around looking for cheaper fuel isn't that a waste of fuel in
> itself? Besides, where I live all of the servos sell it at the same price. And
> price movements can be timed to the nano-second at all of the outlets (BP,
> Shell, Caltex (formerly Mobil) and some indie mob the name of which escapes me).

I don't think they actually travelling to the next suburb just to save a
couple of $, but driving past their normal site to a few streets away to
a cheaper site. but then only half filling the car then would be a waste

> The rest are no brainers (tyre pressures, etc.)
>

I have mud tyres
nothing will make them more economical

Kev
From: hippo on 30 Jul 2010 22:24
Marts wrote:
>
> An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000
adults
> on driving and saving on running costs.
>
> http://fat.ly/fecsm
>
> How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
> example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?
>
> I don't use shopper dockets as I have a fuel card which gives me some
> significant savings, already. Plus, being on a novated lease the fuel is paid
> for pre-tax. So for me, $1 of fuel costs me, nett, around 68 cents. (And each
> transaction has a charge attached to it. So, if I were to partially fill up
I'd
> be paying more in transaction charges).
>
> As for driving around looking for cheaper fuel isn't that a waste of fuel in
> itself? Besides, where I live all of the servos sell it at the same price.
And
> price movements can be timed to the nano-second at all of the outlets (BP,
> Shell, Caltex (formerly Mobil) and some indie mob the name of which escapes
me).
>
> The rest are no brainers (tyre pressures, etc.)
>
>
>

Specifying a manual over an auto would save about that much weight too.
Doing the high school run without the 3 kids could save about *200* Kg.
Think how much cheaper that run might be then!
Leaving the car at home would eliminate fuel consumption completely,
except for evaporative losses or theft.
The possibilites seem endless....

--
Posted at www.usenet.com.au
From: John_H on 2 Aug 2010 00:42
Marts wrote:

>An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000 adults
>on driving and saving on running costs.
>
>http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/motorists-clueless-about-costsaving-20100727-10t0l.html?posted=sucessful
>
>How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
>example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?

I bet the cluelesss git who wrote that has never circumnavigated the
contininent on half a tank! What about the tricks used those who do?

How about running lighter grade oils throughout (engine transmission
and axle). (Judging by the engine oils I see on the supermarket
shelves most people run much heavier oils than the manufacturers
recommend in any case.)

Forget about maintaining tyre pressures to what the placard says...
give 'em another 15 psi or so. The ride might be a tad harsh but the
decrease in rolling resistance should also be significant.

Then lower the suspension to the minimum legal height, or a bit less.
Provided you don't need to negotiate too many speed humps it should do
wonders for the wind resistance.

If you've got a petrol engine advance the ignition timing so the
engine runs just off detonation. If you've got a good ear and a light
foot it probably won't self destruct. If it does, consider it a
valuable lesson learned... either you hearing's not what it should be
or you need to sharpen up on your throttle control!

Diesel owners could start by winding in the fuel stop in by at least
half a turn... of course you'll have to cut the wire that's only there
in case you should accidently wind it the wrong way. The decrease in
power will be but a small price to pay for the extra distance you'll
travel.

And that's just for starters! ;-)

--
John H
From: PHATRS on 2 Aug 2010 19:16
On 30/07/10 06:58, Marts wrote:
> An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000 adults
> on driving and saving on running costs.
>
> http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/motorists-clueless-about-costsaving-20100727-10t0l.html?posted=sucessful
>
> How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
> example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?
>
> I don't use shopper dockets as I have a fuel card which gives me some
> significant savings, already. Plus, being on a novated lease the fuel is paid
> for pre-tax. So for me, $1 of fuel costs me, nett, around 68 cents. (And each
> transaction has a charge attached to it. So, if I were to partially fill up I'd
> be paying more in transaction charges).
>
> As for driving around looking for cheaper fuel isn't that a waste of fuel in
> itself? Besides, where I live all of the servos sell it at the same price. And
> price movements can be timed to the nano-second at all of the outlets (BP,
> Shell, Caltex (formerly Mobil) and some indie mob the name of which escapes me).
>
> The rest are no brainers (tyre pressures, etc.)
>

I can reduce my fuel consumption by 10% or more if I'm really light on
the throttle, and upshift as early as possible.

And I buy petrol on the cheapest day.

I keep my tyre pressures high to improve cornering and tyre life (when
I'm not cornering hard).

Public transport is shitloads cheaper though, but it adds an hour to my
daily commute - which is one less hour I get to see my family.

Ben
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