What To Do When The World Goes Crazy About Fuel

It’s official. The UK has lost the plot. People have taken leave of their senses. Everyone has gone cray cray.

Why, you may ask?!

Because fuel is now the new toilet roll.

Who knew?!

As much as they are completely different products, the old rule of supply and demand still stands.

When you lower the supply, the demand raises.

Which is why all over the UK, people have been getting up at 4am, to drive round and find somewhere – anywhere – that has fuel. Especially diesel. Queueing a line long enough that it can be seen from space (probably!). Physically filling up plastic bags (if you are one of those people, I urge you – please do not pro-create!), getting into fights on the forecourts and sending threatening messages to the media (cos, obvs, it’s all their fault!).

(FYI – for anyone who is actually interested, the original start of the “panic buying” issue was a message on BP’s home page, stating they were having a small issues with their fuel supply, which may affect some of their garages. It then went nuts from there!)

Anyway. With fuel being as quick and easy to get as rocking horse poop, here are some quick and easy ways to conserve fuel, keeping you from being stranded on the side of the road… Hopefully!

Turn Air Con Off

Having your mod cons on in your vehicle isn’t cost effective. In fact, turn off your heated seats, your heated mirrors, heated windows, and any other buttons in your vehicle you don’t need. It may only save you 0.06mpg, but in times of crisis you’ll be glad you did!

Drive Consistently

When it comes to conserving fuel, it always helps to be consistent. Which means gradual breaking (unless in case of emergency), and acceleration, to avoid using excess fuel. You can also keep your windows up to keep your car as air streamed as possible.

Car Share

This is ideal if you make regular journeys, such as on the school run or to work. If you have someone local who is able to split the trips with you, you could cut your fuel cost in half, by sharing the journeys between you.

Also, the more people you can car share with, the less it will cost you… If there are four of you sharing the trips, each car would only need to be used one week out of every four! You can also use the extra free time you’d usually spend driving, doing something productive!

Lose Weight

No – not you! But it may be worth putting your car on a diet. Go through your car, especially the boot, and take out any unnecessary weight. Also, double check your tyres are inflated to the right PSI – not over or under, for the most efficient fuel consumption.

Plan Your Route

When making longer journeys or journeys in locations you are unfamiliar with, it’s always worth planning your route beforehand. That way, you can double check for any road closures/ short cuts, so if you do end up off your original route, you know where to look or avoid.

Avoid Short Journeys

This one may be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people drive journeys that can easily be walked. Mainly due to convenience, sometimes due to weather. But whatever the reason, lets be real – we are trying to save fuel, in whatever way we can. If you can walk rather than use your car, then do so!