Easy Ways to Reduce Your Petrol Costs

As is true in other parts of life, there's really no reason to be penny-wise and pound foolish when it comes to buying petrol. Buying fuel takes a large portion of the average person's budget; here are some ways to make the pain at the pump more bearable.

• Always make sure your car is properly serviced and maintained. Most people know that they should check oil and coolant levels and tire pressure on a regular basis, yet they never seem to find the time to do it. A well-kept car is more fuel efficient— keep up with routine maintenance, and your car will also be more reliable.

• Shop around; make sure you're getting the cheapest gas in your area, but don't drive out of your way to save a few cents, either.

• Use those "supermarket rewards" programs to your advantage. Many are offering promotions where drivers can save a few cents per gallon, as long as they spend a certain amount in-store.

• Use a "cash back" rewards credit card. If you know that you'll be able to pay the entire balance at the end of the month, you should do this whenever you can. Using a cash back card is like getting a discount on your fuel purchase, no matter where you choose to stop.

• Change the way you drive. Some people call it "hyper-miling", and some call it common sense. Don't drive above the speed limit, make stops and starts more gradual, and you'll get as many miles to the gallon as possible.

Not only do we have rising prices at the pump, insurance is getting more expensive, too. If you follow these tips, you'll spend less on your coverage—meaning you'll be better able to weather the next price hike.

• Comparison shopping for auto insurance will leave you with more money to spend on fuel. Online auto coverage quotes save time by giving you the best prices from multiple insurers at one time.

• Most insurers will give you a discount if you park your car in a secure location. If you have a driveway or a garage, you'll reduce the risk of theft, and your premium will go down. You can also add an alarm system or tracking device (such as LoJack) for an even bigger savings.

• Be careful when listing your occupation. Like it or not, certain jobs mean higher premiums; if you're a realtor or a delivery driver, you'll pay more because these jobs are considered "higher risk". Altering the phrasing of your job description can save you money on your coverage, but you should be aware that being dishonest can put any future claim in jeopardy.

You can save money on fuel and be more eco-friendly by converting your car to use either bio-diesel or liquid petroleum gas (LPG). The fuel works in most diesel vehicles, and cars that use it emit almost 80% less CO2. Anyone can make bio-diesel, for pennies per gallon, but it's a lot safer to buy it.

Switching to LPG (also known as Autogas), is another environmentally friendly way to fight rising petrol prices. The biggest benefit you'll see is the savings at the pump; LPG usually costs about half as much as much as gas or diesel. To convert your car to run on LPG, you’ll need to take it to a shop where a professional will fit it with an independent fuel system.

We don't have to accept rising fuel prices as a part of modern life. By properly servicing your BMW, comparison shopping, using rewards programs, making sensible insurance choices, and considering switching to alternative fuels, you can save money and frustration every time you fill up.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Main Dealer Discount who can help you save money on BMW service costs. For help and advice on reducing BMW service costs Please click here.