Fuel Cost Calculator

How to Reduce Car Fuel Consumption

As petrol prices fluctuate, many drivers search for ways to improve their vehicle's efficiency. While we can't control fuel prices, we can take steps to reduce our cars' fuel consumption and save money.

Here are some practical tips to help you get more kilometres per litre:

1. Plan efficient routes. Combine errands into a single trip to reduce overall distance. Use navigation apps to find the most direct routes and avoid traffic.
2. Share the ride. Carpooling to work or events can significantly cut your fuel expenses. While a car with passengers uses slightly more petrol, it's far more efficient than multiple vehicles making the same trip.
3. Choose the right vehicle. If you're in the market for a new car, consider a smaller or more fuel-efficient model. A compact car or hybrid can often halve the fuel costs of a large 4WD.
4. Maintain your engine. Regular services keep your engine running efficiently. Address any maintenance issues promptly – a well-maintained car can use up to 40% less fuel than one with serious problems.
5. Mind your tyres. Check tyre pressure weekly and inflate to the manufacturer's recommended level. Proper inflation can boost fuel economy by up to 3%.
6. Streamline your vehicle. Remove roof racks or cargo carriers when not in use. These accessories increase drag and reduce fuel efficiency.
7. Use the right oil. Choose the motor oil grade recommended by your car's manufacturer. The correct oil can improve fuel economy by 1-2%.

What Determines the Fuel Price

1. Government policies and global politics. Countries use taxes and subsidies to influence fuel consumption. Tensions or leadership changes in oil-producing regions may disrupt supply chains, leading to sudden price hikes. International relations often have a direct impact on what we pay at the bowser.
2. The global oil market sets the tone. Crude oil prices on the international market provide the foundation for fuel costs. These prices shift based on supply and demand, with industry watchers keeping a close eye on benchmarks like Brent and WTI.
3. Geographic factors. Areas close to oil reserves and refineries typically have lower prices while remote areas often face higher prices because of increased logistics expenses.
4. Natural disasters. Major weather events or natural disasters can damage oil infrastructure, causing supply shortages.

How to Calculate Fuel Consumption

To calculate fuel consumption, you'll need three key pieces of information:

• Trip Distance: The total distance you plan to travel
• Fuel Efficiency: Your vehicle's fuel economy
• Petrol/Fuel Cost: The current price of fuel in your area

Here's how to use this information:

1. Determine your trip distance in kilometres.
2. Find your vehicle's fuel efficiency. In Australia, this is typically expressed in litres per 100 kilometres (L/100km).
3. Calculate the amount of fuel needed for your trip by multiplying the trip distance by your fuel efficiency (in L/100km) and dividing by 100.
4. Multiply the fuel amount by the current petrol price to estimate your total fuel cost.

For example:

• Trip: 500 km
• Efficiency: 7 L/100km
• Fuel needed: 500 * (7/100) = 35 litres
• If fuel costs $1.80/litre, total cost would be 35 * $1.80 = $63

Use our free Fuel Cost Calculator for a quick and accurate calculation, especially when planning longer trips or comparing different routes. It takes these factors into account automatically, saving you time and helping you budget more effectively for your journey.

How to Calculate Fuel Efficiency

• Record the details: Note the distance travelled (from your trip odometer) and the amount of fuel added to your tank.
• Do the sums: Divide the kilometres driven by the litres of fuel used. This gives you your litres per 100 kilometres (L/100km).

For example, if you drove 300 kilometres and used 30 litres of petrol, your fuel consumption would be 10 L/100km (30 / 300 x 100 = 10).

If you prefer imperial units, you can calculate miles per gallon (MPG). Divide the miles driven by the gallons of fuel used.

For the most accurate results, calculate your fuel consumption over several fill-ups. This will help to account for variations in driving conditions and provide a more reliable average.

How to Calculate Kilometres Per Tank?

KPT = (100 / L/100km) × TS

Where:

• KPT is Kilometres Per Tank
• L/100km is Litres per 100 Kilometres
• TS is Tank Size in litres

To calculate your kilometres per tank, divide 100 by your vehicle's litres per 100 kilometres (L/100km) and multiply by its tank size in litres.

For example, if your car achieves 7.8 L/100km and has a 60-litre tank, your kilometres per tank would be:

769 kilometres (100 / 7.8 × 60 = 769)