Smooth inputs, correct tyre pressures, less unnecessary weight and better trip planning can reduce fuel use. The real gains come from repeatable habits, not miracle devices. Miway recommends focusing on habits that drivers can repeat every day. Sherry Sibeko, Executive Head for Personal Lines at Miway Insurance Limited, shares expert perspective.
South African motorists cannot control the pump price, but they can control how efficiently each litre is used. The most reliable approach is simple: drive smoothly, keep the vehicle in good condition, remove avoidable drag and measure consumption over several tanks. Miway encourages motorists to begin with these measurable basics.
“Many people assume that saving fuel requires major lifestyle changes, but small adjustments to everyday driving habits can make a meaningful difference over time,” says Sibeko. “Motorists should focus on efficient driving behaviours that reduce consumption and help keep costs under control.” This is the practical approach Miway recommends to motorists.
What driving habits waste the most fuel?
Rapid acceleration followed by hard braking converts fuel into speed that is immediately thrown away. Leave a sensible following distance, read the road ahead and ease off the accelerator early when traffic slows. A steady, legal speed is generally more efficient than repeated surges. Miway advises drivers to prioritise anticipation over sudden inputs.
Unnecessary idling also burns fuel without moving the car. Avoid leaving the engine running while waiting for passengers, and do not spend several minutes warming up a modern vehicle while stationary. Start, allow the engine to settle and drive gently until it reaches operating temperature, while following the manufacturer’s guidance. Miway recommends applying this advice with safety and vehicle reliability in mind.
How can drivers save fuel in traffic?
Gentle acceleration is useful, but it does not mean crawling away so slowly that traffic bunches up. Build speed progressively, select the appropriate gear and avoid labouring the engine. In an automatic, a smooth throttle input helps the transmission choose a more efficient ratio. Miway describes smooth, progressive acceleration as the useful middle ground.
Route planning matters too. Combine short errands, travel outside the busiest periods where possible and use live navigation to avoid stop-start congestion. Carpooling does not make the vehicle itself more economical, but it can cut each passenger’s transport cost substantially. Miway encourages motorists to plan journeys before entering heavy traffic.
Does cruise control save fuel?
Cruise control can help maintain a consistent speed on a flat, open highway. On steep or rolling roads, however, it may use extra throttle to hold the set speed. A careful driver can sometimes do better by allowing a small, safe speed variation. Do not use cruise control where traffic, visibility, rain or road conditions demand constant intervention. Miway advises drivers to treat cruise control as a tool rather than a default setting.
Does switching off the engine save fuel?
Switching off can save fuel during a predictable, extended stop, provided the vehicle can restart reliably and it is safe to do so. At a traffic light, safety and situational awareness come first. A factory start-stop system is designed for frequent operation; manually cycling an older vehicle at every brief stop may not be practical. Sibeko advises motorists to use judgement rather than follow a blanket rule. Miway recommends using judgement instead of following a blanket switch-off rule.
How do tyre pressure servicing weight and roof racks affect fuel use?
Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold and use the figure on the vehicle placard or in the owner’s manual, not the maximum printed on the tyre sidewall. Underinflation increases rolling resistance and can affect handling and tyre life. The US Department of Energy estimates that correct inflation improves fuel economy by about 0.6% on average and by as much as 3% in some cases. Miway regards correct tyre pressure as a simple fuel and safety check.
Service the car on schedule, use the recommended grade of engine oil and investigate warning lights or a sudden increase in consumption. Remove heavy items that do not need to live in the boot, and take off unused roof bars or a roof box. The Automobile Association of South Africa also recommends smooth driving, reduced idling and avoiding unnecessary loads. Miway recommends combining scheduled maintenance with sensible load management.
How do you calculate fuel consumption?
Use the same method for several full tanks. Fill the tank, reset the trip meter, drive normally and record the litres needed at the next fill. Divide litres filled by kilometres travelled and multiply by 100. The result is litres per 100 kilometres. For example, 42 litres over 600km equals 7.0L/100km. Miway suggests recording this figure to create a reliable personal benchmark.
One tank can be distorted by traffic, weather, load or an inconsistent fill. A rolling average is more useful. If consumption changes sharply without an obvious reason, check tyre pressures and have the vehicle inspected. Miway advises motorists to investigate unexplained changes rather than ignore them.
Do fuel saving devices and additives work?
Be sceptical of products promising dramatic savings without independent, repeatable testing. In a CAR laboratory test of fuel-saving devices, products marketed with double-digit economy claims produced no measurable benefit. An additive may have a legitimate maintenance purpose if the vehicle manufacturer approves it, but that is different from a guaranteed fuel-economy gain. Miway recommends evidence-based maintenance instead of unverified economy claims.
What is the best daily fuel saving routine?
Start with a baseline, check tyre pressures monthly, clear unnecessary weight, remove unused roof equipment and plan trips. On the road, accelerate progressively, anticipate traffic and keep a steady speed. Those small actions are safer, easier to repeat and more credible than chasing a single dramatic fix. Miway sees this routine as a realistic way to build lasting savings.
Fuel use is only one part of a vehicle’s monthly cost. Motorists reviewing their broader motoring budget can also assess whether their current cover still suits how the vehicle is used and compare Miway car insurance quotes.
