Expert Urges Drivers to Fill Up Before the Weekend
Motorists across England are being encouraged to make a trip to the petrol station on Friday evening to take advantage of potential fuel savings. Personal finance experts suggest that filling up as temperatures drop could provide better value for money.
Why Timing Your Fuel Purchase Matters
The team at Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert has clarified a common misconception about refuelling in colder conditions. While noting that the difference is minimal - amounting to pennies at best - they explained that fuel pumps are calibrated by volume. This means that when you fill up during colder night-time hours, you might receive a tiny amount of extra fuel for the same price.
The advice comes as the Met Office forecasts a cold Friday evening becoming cloudier and windier with outbreaks of rain pushing southeastwards overnight, creating the cooler conditions that could marginally improve fuel efficiency.
Practical Fuel-Saving Strategies for Motorists
Money Saving Expert provides additional crucial advice for drivers looking to optimise their fuel spending. They recommend refuelling before your tank drops below 50 miles of remaining range. This approach prevents panic buying and allows time to find cheaper filling stations rather than being forced to use the next available option regardless of price.
The organisation acknowledges that a lighter car uses less fuel, but notes that with 50 miles of fuel remaining, the weight difference is negligible compared to the benefit of strategic refuelling.
Regarding premium fuels, the advice is clear: high-performance fuels offer little to no benefit for most standard vehicles. The AA suggests that for regular cars, these premium options are too expensive for consistent use. However, they do recommend using a high-performance fuel every third or fourth tank to help maintain engine cleanliness and efficiency before returning to standard fuel.
As Saturday approaches with forecasted drier and brighter conditions following early rain, drivers who follow this advice could start their weekend with both a full tank and the satisfaction of having made a more economical fuel purchase.
