Petrol and diesel cars may ‘run more efficiently’ with TikTok fuel-saving tip
Motorists across the UK could save fuel by making a simple change at petrol stations this week, according to a TikTok influencer.
Petrol and diesel owners may find their cars “run more efficiently” by putting less fuel in their tanks instead of filling them to the brim.
Posting on TikTok, channel @costoflivingcrisistips warned topping up with too much fuel would weigh down vehicles.
Instead, they suggested topping up to just half a tank could be better and help keep pennies in motorists' pockets.
The influencer said: “The less fuel you put in your car the more you will save as your car will run more efficiently. Fuel weighs down your car so only fill a quarter or half to save money.”
TikTok user @ka.ro.su reacted: “That's why full to half takes up less time/miles than half to empty. Tow truck guy told me this.”
Another social media user, @x_.lottie, added: “My dad had always told me this since I started driving seven years ago. No one understands."
A third, @iamlucymoore said: “I think it depends if you’re doing motorway journeys or small journeys too.”
However, some motorists seemed to question the effectiveness of the hack.
TikTok channel @clipper.queen reacted: “That's really bad for your engine."
Meanwhile, @honestnpc commented: "How much does it cost to drive to the petrol station and back though?”
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However, @costoflivingcrisistips defended the tip, responding: “Nothing when you’re driving past it. Just use common sense and time your refills, on way to work etc.”
Petrol and diesel experts at FuelGenie admitted that the amount of fuel motorists put into their cars would make “very little difference”.
They said: “A full tank of fuel weighs more, driving [around] with additional weight in a car or van will reduce fuel economy. However, the fuel in the tank only weighs a very small percentage of the overall car or van weight, an average of around five percent.
“Filling up a tank halfway compared to a full tank of fuel only reduces the weight by 2.5 percent. At this level it is likely to make very little difference on the vehicle fuel economy.”
BookMyGarage, the UK’s leading car service and repair comparison site, also urged motorists to only fill up the fuel they need.
They explained: “Fuel is heavy, and a full tank may be contributing to excess weight that your vehicle is having to carry around.”
However, the car comparison site also urged motorists to consider topping a car's fuel tank up to the halfway mark and always before the warning light comes on.
This is because driving with too little fuel can backfire as it can cause damage to key components such as a vehicle’s catalytic converter.
