Some things in life cannot be predicted – like pump prices. However, you have control over things such as your fuel consumption. Although pump prices fell six times in August, petrol prices are still 30 per cent higher than at the beginning of last year, and diesel prices are up 48 per cent.

So how can you keep a lid on your petrol expenditure?

Maintain your vehicle well so that it runs at peak efficiency. An inefficient engine cannot optimise the use of fuel, so don’t be stingy about this. Change parts like the air filter whenever the need arises.

Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance. Keep them properly inflated according to the recommended pressure shown in the car manual. Car tyres inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve your mileage by as much as six per cent, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Make it a habit to accelerate gradually from a stop, and brake gently. Sudden accelerations, weaving in and out of traffic and hard braking waste fuel and wear out brakes and tyres faster.

If you’re stopping the car for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine. Idling wastes fuel, gets you nowhere and produces unnecessary greenhouse gases.

Extra weight in the car means more fuel is needed. Clean out the boot and back seat if you are in the habit of using your car as a mobile storeroom.

Organise errands so that they can be combined into one trip to cut down on driving. You could also park your car in a central location and walk to nearby buildings to run your errands. If you’re heading to a new destination, consult maps or an in-car navigation system for the fastest way to get there before you start the journey.

Pricier high-octane fuel isn’t always necessary. Many cars are designed to use regular low-octane, so high-octane fuel doesn't guarantee better performance. Only high-performance vehicles such as turbo-charged vehicles and sports cars require 98-octane fuel.

If you always buy fuel from the same petrol company, sign up for their loyalty programme. Accumulated points can be used to redeem gifts, indirectly saving you money. Some banks have tie-ups with petrol companies that offer a discount when you pay for fuel with their credit card.

Take advantage of a promotion between Shell and Cold Storage to stretch your dollar for quality fuel and food. When you spend $30 in a single receipt at any Cold Storage supermarket between 15 August till 31 October 2008, you will get a $2 Shell fuel voucher (limited to five vouchers per transaction). The voucher is applicable for use with a minimum $50 purchase of any Shell fuel, or can be split into $1 coupons for a minimum fuel purchase of $25.