When it comes to cars in Singapore, buying one is already so expensive that some people think it’s pointless trying to save on the peripheral costs of actually running it. That of course, is a huge mistake. While you might not be able to control how much you end up paying for your ERP tolls in certain situations, you can most definitely save a significant amount on other things such as car insurance and most definitely on fuel.
It remains an almost certainty that fuel prices in Singapore aren’t going to drop to the kinds of lows that would make you not even bat an eyelid when going to top up your fuel tank, so here are 5 ways that you’re burning petrol and wasting money, and you might not even know it:
1. Adding Unnecessary Weight To Your Car
If you were to pop the boot of some people’s cars, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were planning on setting up a mobile mamashop as a sideline business. Things ranging from golf sets, to baskets carrying a whole load of random household items, all add additional weight to your car.
2. Over-revving
Driving your car in a lower gear consumes more fuel as the lower gears are engineered to generate more power initially to get your car moving from a slow moving or stationary position. I know a lot of drivers who just step on the accelerator pedal and hold it there till the car picks up significant speed.
3. Not Inflating Your Tyres Sufficiently
This is something less experienced drivers are guilty of. The other group of people that fall into this category are lazy people, like myself. But I’ve tried to make it a point to regularly inflate my tires.
4. Keeping Your Car Idling
We don’t know why, but Singaporeans just love waiting in their cars. Sure, the weather is pretty unbearable and air conditioning is lovely, but leaving your car idling is really a huge waste of fuel.
5. Not Keeping Track of Petrol Savings
It’s understandable that many people have a “go-to” place to pump petrol, either as a function of convenience or some unknown brand loyalty. But there is a significant cost saving involved if you are armed with the right credit card. With fuel costs easily amounting between $300-500 a month, a difference of 14% and 21% total savings does add up.
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