‘UK petrol prices are crazy right now

One driver has shared their tips

13:20, 02 May 2026

One driver has shared their tips for saving fuel(Image: PA)

A driver has shared their tips on how to save fuel amid a rise in prices as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

Prices for fuel have spiked recently, with higher-than-usual prices hitting petrol pumps across the country.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a key shipping lane which once carried a fifth of global oil and gas - has sent oil prices soaring since the US-Israeli war on Iran began.

The UK Government has urged drivers to continue filling up their cars and not to change their travel plans.

In a Reddit post titled ' These things helped me save fuel', one driver shared their tips.

The post read: "Fuel prices are going crazy like I am in UK and I was spending around GBP70-GBP90 a week for some normal everyday commute to office and all.

"But like last week while looking for dashcam footage for a driving accident on dashcam app, I realised I was braking too much and also accelerating when it was not needed.

"So I realised maybe there was something wrong with my driving style. Then I checked out a lot of videos on improving driving practices.

"I tried a few things, and it actually helped improve my fuel mileage a lot. The biggest change was just driving more smoothly.

"I started leaving more space ahead, so I don't have to keep braking every few seconds.

"If traffic slows, I ease off early instead of rushing and stopping.

"I also stopped speeding up just to hit a red light, which I didn't realise I was doing before.

Now I just take it easy and try to roll into greens.

"Another thing that helped was staying in gear while slowing down instead of going into neutral, and not pressing harder while going uphill.

"I just built a bit of speed before and maintain it.

Feels better and uses less fuel.

"I also made some small changes like grouping errands together instead of going out multiple times since cold starts use more fuel, and shifting a bit earlier instead of pushing the car unnecessarily.

"Especially in city driving, it adds up.

I know these might not be new to you guys but I didn't realise they would make this much difference, so just sharing in case someone else is dealing with the same thing."

Reddit users commented on the post, with one saying: "Good tips, I motorway drive a lot and the gradual increase and decrease in speed was a good money saver, also cruising on the motorway at 65mph is optimal for fuel consumption as miserable as it may be.2

A second said: "It might be blasphemy on this subreddit, but I've saved a ton by switching most of my local trips to cycling."

A third added: "I just cycle and walk most journeys, saves a lot.

"Car is now basically just for going out to places for hikes that I can't reach on public transport, and thinking of just selling the car.

"Crazy that more in my area don't do the same, but the British are addicted to driving, even when it's totally unnecessary (as it is in many areas of the UK, although certainly not all areas)."

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References

1. ^ The disturbing digital trail left by racist monster who raped Sikh woman he thought was Muslim (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Secret to getting the best of BirminghamLive's stories (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)