Myth or fact? What fuel savings really work

Between driver forums, petrol station chatter and outdated advice, it’s no surprise that fuel-saving myths are everywhere. But with rising fuel prices and tighter margins, businesses need real strategies that save money – not rumours that waste it.

Here, we break down five common fuel-saving myths and explain what actually works instead. Plus, how fuelGenie can help your business spend smarter, drive further, and waste less.

Everyone’s heard one of these before:

They sound believable, but are they true? Let’s take a closer look.

The reality: Restarting the engine uses the same – or even less – fuel than letting it be idle for more than 10 seconds. Idling can burn through half a litre of fuel every hour, even when the vehicle’s not moving.

What to do instead: Encourage drivers to switch off the engine when stopped for more than a minute. Over time, these micro-savings really add up.

The reality: Unless your vehicles require high-octane fuel (which most don’t), premium petrol offers little to no improvement in efficiency or performance. It just costs more per litre.

What to do instead: Stick to standard-grade fuel for most business vehicles and avoid unnecessary upgrades unless specified by the manufacturer.

The reality: Fuel efficiency peaks around 50–60mph. Driving at 70mph uses around 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph – and the gap only increases as speeds rise.

What to do instead: Promote smoother driving, especially on longer routes. Maintain consistent speeds, reduce harsh acceleration, and avoid last-minute braking.

The reality: Carrying more weight means burning more fuel – especially when the tank is constantly full. Every additional 45kg reduces fuel efficiency slightly.

What to do instead: Refuel when needed, rather than topping up unnecessarily. Check vehicles for extra tools or materials that aren’t essential for the day’s jobs.

The reality: The heavier the load, the harder the engine has to work. Overloading a vehicle can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%, while also affecting tyre wear, suspension and braking performance.

What to do instead: Make daily load checks part of your driver routine and remove unnecessary items where possible.

Now that we’ve cleared up some common myths, here’s what actually helps reduce fuel spend across a fleet:

Accelerate gradually, avoid unnecessary braking and use cruise control where appropriate.

Avoid high-traffic routes, detours, and known congestion hotspots. Use apps like Google Maps or Waze to adapt in real time.

Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, burning more fuel. A quick check each week makes a difference.

Dirty filters, low oil levels and overdue maintenance can all drag down fuel efficiency. Keep up with your service schedule.

Sometimes, just knowing the facts helps. Share reminders and performance stats to encourage better habits.

At fuelGenie, we’re all about the savings you can actually see. Whether you run a fleet or just a couple of vans, here’s how we help:

Access over 1,350 Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s locations across the UK.

See where and when fuel is purchased, manage accounts, and spot spending trends instantly.

Say goodbye to paper receipts and hello to fast, easy VAT reclaim.

Let drivers collect points when they fill up – keeping them engaged while saving more.

Together, these tools help you take control of your fuel budget and make smarter choices that benefit both your team and your business.

Fuel-saving strategies shouldn’t be based on guesswork or good intentions. When you focus on what really works – like better driving, smart planning and cost-effective refuelling – you’ll get the returns where it counts: at the pump, in your reports, and across your bottom line.

And with fuelGenie on your side, you’ve got a partner that helps you save with every mile.