Want to get more mileage and more value from every fill? Here are some easy and effective tips for you and your drivers.

1. Drive ‘thoughtfully’ 

While it may sound a bit ‘zen’, taking a gentler and more considered approach when you’re behind the wheel can make a positive downward impact on your fuel consumption. The heavier you accelerate, the more fuel you use, so rather than putting the ‘pedal to the metal’, accelerate more gently and ease up to speed. A similar approach when you’re braking can also help you save fuel. Brake gently and coast to slow down where possible as every time you hit the brakes, you’re losing momentum and will be burning fuel to get up to speed again. 
 
2. Keep your speed steady 

Try to maintain steady speeds when driving. While congested roads can make this challenging, staying a comfortable distance from vehicles in front and keeping an eye on the road environment will help. It’s about anticipating what other vehicles might do next and when lights might change. Drive to the conditions and within the speed limits and engage cruise control when you’re on free-flowing highways to optimise fuel efficiency. And keep in mind that driving thoughtfully and avoiding high speeds is not just about fuel savings, it’s safer too. 
 
3. Stay up to date with servicing 

Regular servicing and maintenance of your business vehicles is important. Smooth- running engines, regular oil changes, sound tyres and even efficiently operating air conditioning will all help to optimise fuel efficiency. With AmpolCard you can add Services and Repairs for just $2 per month per vehicle. Save up to 12% on servicing, tyres, vehicle repairs, tune ups and more from our network of trusted partners with all charges conveniently consolidated in your monthly AmpolCard invoice. 
 
4. Check your tyre pressure 

An easy win for your drivers is making sure that tyres are maintained at the recommended air pressures.  These will be covered in the owner’s manual but can also often be found on a sticker inside the frame of the driver’s door. Both overinflated and underinflated tyres can have an adverse impact on fuel efficiency. And keep in mind that if your load changes – more passengers, more luggage, helping a friend move house – tyre pressures should be checked and inflated to the maximum recommended pressure for heavier loads. 

 
 
5. Lighten your load 

The more a vehicle weighs the more fuel it uses. Where possible, consider how you could lighten your load. Are you carrying around unnecessary things such as rarely used tools or heavy equipment?  You can also help reduce aerodynamic drag that burns up more fuel by removing unused storage capsules, boxes, or racks. Every little bit can help. 

 
 
6. Plan ahead 
Where would we be without our satellite navigation? Probably stuck in traffic or taking the long way round again. Whether you’re using built-in navigation or a plug-in mobile app, your sat nav is a handy way to get where you need to in the most efficient way possible. Why waste fuel when you can be sure you’re not missing a turn or heading in the wrong direction? Most systems can also alert you to traffic congestion or incidents and propose alternate routes to get you to your destination sooner, without the stop-start grind of queued traffic. Planning ahead can also help by avoiding unnecessary trips, identifying where you could combine trips and knowing where to plan a stop for your favourite fuel en-route. 
 
 
7. Switch to Amplify Premium Fuels   

Your choice of fuel can also affect your fuel consumption, for better or for worse. Ampol’s Amplify Premium Fuels can help clean and protect your engine while you drive to make your tank go further. Amplify Premium Fuels can also help to reduce fuel consumption and deliver efficiency improvements for your vehicles. Comprehensive testing by Ampol has confirmed that switching from regular diesel to Amplify Premium Diesel can deliver up to 4% fuel efficiency improvement and up to 2% improvement in fuel efficiency when switching from regular unleaded to Amplify Premium 95/98¹.   


Disclaimer: 
1 Based on independent testing conducted in 2020 where regular diesel fuel was compared to Ampol Amplify Premium Diesel in a 2015 Mazda BT50  and regular unleaded 91 octane petrol was compared to Ampol Amplify 95 in a 2016 Toyota RAV4. Vehicles were driven on a Real Drive Emissions route in Victoria and fuel consumption testing was conducted using a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS).