How to Find Cheap Petrol
Discover how to find cheap petrol near you so you can save money on fuel. It’s always stressful trying to fill up the tank before a big spike in prices. Knowing where to go and when to head to the petrol station is all about having the right resources at your disposal. So, read on and get all the tips, tricks, and apps you need to find cheap fuel in Australia.
Overview:
- What is a cheap petrol price?
- Are fuel prices going up or down?
- What day of the week has cheap petrol?
- Will petrol ever be cheap again?
- 5 ways to find cheap petrol near you in Australia
- Cheap petrol FAQs
What is a cheap petrol price?
Fuel is always a volatile market when it comes to price. This makes it difficult to work out average prices for each country and what can be considered a cheap petrol price. But you can use the Global Petrol Prices website to check average petrol costs and have a benchmark of what cheap petrol will be for that particular point in time.
The average fuel cost per litre for Australia on July 24, 2023 was $1.67 for gasoline and $1.68 for diesel.
Are fuel prices going up or down?
Fuel prices rise and fall on a cycle. For most cities in Australia, the cycle length and duration varies each time. But if you study fuel prices over time you will see that there is a slow decline in price followed by a sharp rise. So if the price in your area has suddenly spiked, wait a little while and it will become cheaper again.
What day of the week has cheap petrol?
As we mentioned, petrol prices fluctuate so there is generally no set day of the week you can reliably find cheap fuel on. However, if you live in a major city then keeping an eye on the petrol price cycle will help you know when fuel is cheap.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission keeps track of fuel prices over the last 45 days for major cities. So you can see when the fuel price begins to fall again and time your visit to the petrol station with expected lows.
There is some great news for Perth goers. As you can see in the graph below, you have the most stable price cycle in Australia with a regular weekly cycle. All other major cities vary a lot more but by keeping an eye on the trends you can get an idea of what week to expect price hikes in.
Source: Quarterly report on the Australian petroleum market – March quarter 2023, ACCC.
Will petrol ever be cheap again?
It’s not likely petrol will take a prolonged drop in price anytime soon. The good news is that changes and innovation in the car industry might bring your petrol bill down someday soon. There are big moves being made toward hybrid and electric cars, more alternative fuel sources, and better fuel efficiency standards. All these changes are set to create cars that are cheaper and cheaper to run in the future.
5 ways to find cheap petrol near you in Australia
Save money on fuel costs with these top 5 ways to find cheap petrol near you!
1. Track the petrol price cycle
Fill up at the start of the petrol price cycle and do most of your driving, mowing, and anything else requiring fuel in those cheaper weeks. Then plan to spend less time in the car when prices spike. That might mean planning your big trips or grocery hauls in the cycle troughs and more local activities and public transport use when prices spike.
2. Stock up while prices are low
You can also stock up while prices are at the low point to save money. But keep in mind that petrol deteriorates quite quickly when stored at home. So do a bit of research into how to store it properly for the longest shelf life. And maybe only stock up on enough to get you through the expensive week/s. That way you aren’t paying expensive prices and your fuel is still in optimum condition.
3. Use a fuel price tracker app
Each state has mandatory reporting requirements for fuel prices. So, if you have the right app installed you can get the scoop on where to get the cheapest fuel that day.
Find cheap fuel near you with the fuel finder app for your state/territory:
- Queensland
- Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- New South Wales / ACT
- Tasmania fuel tracker
- South Australia
4. Lock in cheaper fuel price with an app
7-Eleven has an app that lets you lock in fuel prices for a week. So if you use a fuel price tracker and keep an eye on the fuel price cycle for your city, you’ll be well-positioned to get the cheapest fuel around. And lock it in for 7 days at a time.
5. Use points from rewards cards and membership programs
Check rewards from your insurance provider, memberships, and any rewards cards you hold. For example, if you’re an RACQ member, have a Woolies everyday rewards card, or frequent flyer points to burn then you can get discounts and vouchers with certain fuel brands.
Some fuel companies also have their own rewards programs that will save you money on petrol.
There are an abundance of rewards programs out there – and not all of them are worth it. So look around for the best programs to join before going through the effort of signing up.
Cheap petrol FAQs
Why are budget petrol stations so cheap?
Much like KFC’s ‘secret herbs and spices’, petrol stations also add their own special blend of additives to their petrol in order to give it that premium goodness. Whether this is actually more beneficial and cost-effective in the long run is of great debate.
You will probably see a difference in newer vehicles that are manufactured to better fuel efficiency and emission performance standards. But older vehicles may not see much day-to-day benefit compared with the budget petrol varieties.
Do cheap tyres affect fuel consumption?
Tyres play a significant role in fuel consumption, so you want something that will be fuel efficient. As long as you buy standard-size tyres for your car, and follow manufacturer recommendations, cheaper tyres shouldn’t cost you any more on fuel than a more expensive tyre will.
Increased rolling resistance is what will increase your fuel consumption, which can be affected by many factors, including:
- Tyre size
- Tyre weight and weight on the tyre
- Wheel alignment
- Tyre Age
- Tyre pressure
- Tread pattern
If you’re in need of a new set of wheels for your ride, a quick cash loan against your car is a fast and easy way to get finance today.
Can cheap fuel damage your car?
This is a long-held petrol myth, all petrol must meet quality standards set out by the government. So buying cheaper fuel won’t damage your car. That being said, more premium fuel could still help your car and engine perform better.
