With fuel prices in South Africa set for another increase this August, the pressure is mounting on motorists to find ways to reduce their petrol bills. While driving less or switching to a hybrid vehicle may sound like logical solutions, they’re not always realistic. Most South Africans rely on their cars daily, and hybrid vehicles come with a hefty price tag that takes years to offset with fuel savings.

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5 Common Driving Mistakes

Instead, a more practical approach is to improve your everyday driving habits. According to driving experts at MasterDrive, many motorists unknowingly adopt fuel-wasting behaviours behind the wheel. Here are five common mistakes that could be costing you money every time you drive — and how to fix them.

1. Reactive Driving Instead of Planning Ahead

Many drivers only respond to what’s happening immediately in front of them, without anticipating road conditions ahead. This leads to frequent acceleration and braking a combination that guzzles petrol unnecessarily.

By becoming a more observant and forward-thinking driver, you can make smoother adjustments to speed. For example, instead of rushing toward a red light and braking hard, take your foot off the accelerator early and let your car gradually slow down. This technique not only saves fuel but also reduces wear on your brakes and tyres. In fact, adopting this style of driving can improve fuel efficiency by up to 40%.

2. Speeding and Aggressive Acceleration

Speeding doesn’t just increase your risk on the road it also boosts your fuel consumption. Driving fast or constantly accelerating heavily can spike your petrol usage by as much as 20%, particularly on highways.

Maintaining a steady speed between 100 km/h and 120 km/h is ideal for most cars, according to Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive. Smooth, controlled acceleration and maintaining a consistent pace are key to using less fuel.

3. Poor Gear Management

Changing gears at the wrong time can also hurt your car’s fuel efficiency. Ideally, you should keep your engine running within the 2,500 to 3,000 RPM range. Revving too high before shifting gears or changing too frequently increases fuel usage and adds strain to your engine, clutch, and gearbox.

Learning to shift gears efficiently especially in manual vehicles helps you get the most out of every litre of fuel.

4. Driving Without a Plan

Jumping in the car for multiple short trips throughout the day may seem harmless, but it’s inefficient. A cold engine uses more fuel until it reaches its optimal operating temperature. By combining errands into one longer trip, your engine stays warm and runs more efficiently.

Planning routes in advance, avoiding peak-hour traffic, and using navigation apps to bypass congestion can help save time and fuel. In heavy traffic, your fuel consumption can increase by up to 40%, so a little planning goes a long way.

5. Cold Starts and Poor Parking Habits

Starting your car in very cold conditions can lead to increased fuel consumption, especially during early mornings in winter. If you can, park your car in a garage or sheltered space overnight. This keeps the engine and cabin warmer, reducing the need to run the heater or demister as soon as you start the car.

Letting your engine warm up gradually allows the oil to circulate more effectively, protecting internal components and improving overall efficiency.

You don’t need to buy a new car or drastically change your lifestyle to save on petrol. By correcting these five common driving mistakes, you’ll not only improve your fuel economy but also extend the life of your vehicle. With fuel prices rising, smart driving is not just good for your wallet it’s essential.