13 Smart Ways to Reduce Your Fuel Costs in Singapore

Petrol prices in Singapore are constantly on the rise, leaving drivers searching for ways to save. Whether you’re filling up with diesel or petrol, paying attention to fuel costs has never been more important. Luckily, there are practical strategies—and clever car hacks—to keep your fuel consumption in check and your wallet heavier.

Here are 13 proven ways to reduce your petrol costs—plus updated insights into petrol prices, credit card discounts, and how to get the cheapest petrol in Singapore.

1. Compare Pump Prices with Price Kaki or Other Apps

Staying on top of fluctuating fuel prices in Singapore can lead to real savings. Tools like Price Kaki, SgPetrolPrice or the Singapore Fuel Cost Calculator provide up-to-date information on pump prices across major fuel types—including diesel, 92, 95, and 98-octane petrol, plus premium blends. These apps not only help you find the cheapest petrol in Singapore, but also let you estimate your fuel spending based on your driving habits. Some even allow you to compare different vehicle models, making it easier to identify more fuel-efficient cars in Singapore before your next.

Singapore Petrol Prices Per Litre (S$) (as of April 2025 and subject to change)

*Note: Prices are before any discounts or promotions.

For real-time updates and the latest promotions, you can check out Fuel Kaki (now part of Price Kaki) by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), which provides comprehensive comparisons of retail fuel prices and promotions across Singapore.

2. Maximise Petrol Discounts with Credit Cards

Most petrol companies operating in Singapore have agreements with banks to provide special discounts on petrol when drivers pay with specific credit cards instead of cash payments. Use credit card discounts to your advantage.

Many cards offer discounts between 15% and 22% off fuel at Caltex, Shell, SPC, or Esso. Popular discount options include:

• SAFRA Caltex Discount
• HSBC, OCBC, UOB, and Citi cards with rebates up to 21%

Check the fine print of your card’s terms—some have minimum spends or tiered discounts depending on fuel type.

3. Accelerate Gently and Slowly to Use Less Fuel

Each time you floor the accelerator; your engine consumes more fuel and takes more energy. Gradual acceleration can improve your fuel economy significantly. In fuel efficient cars Singaporean drivers can expect even better mileage with smoother driving habits.

4. Lower Your Engine Speed

A four-cylinder engine creates 2,000 air/fuel mixture explosions a minute at 1,000rpm, and 10,000 at 5,000rpm. The lower your engine speed, the less fuel it will use. In an automatic vehicle gentle acceleration should encourage the transmission shift up sooner as long as you’ve selected Drive and not a lower ratio. In a manual, you need to do it yourself—choose a higher gear as soon as possible.

Use cruise control on expressways when possible. On city roads, anticipate stops instead of slamming the brakes. This approach helps reduce fuel consumption over time.

5. Keep Your Tyres Inflated

Underinflated tyres increase drag, which means your engine has to work harder—costing you more per litre at the pump therefore reducing fuel efficiency. However, you shouldn’t overinflate them either as doing that will make them wear out quicker. Check tyre pressure monthly and ensure it matches the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Keeping tyres properly inflated is a sign of good vehicle maintenance which helps reduce petrol cost.

6. Lighten Your Load

Every 114kg of unnecessary weight can reduce fuel efficiency by about half a kilometre per litre. Clear your boot of unused items and avoid keeping your fuel tank perpetually full—it adds weight too.

7. Turn Down the Air Conditioner

Yes, it’s hot in Singapore, but blasting your air-con can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%. Use ventilation or lower settings when possible to keep fuel usage low.

8. Uninterrupted Airflow

Anything that disrupts the airflow around your car also lowers your fuel economy, particularly at highway speeds. Roof racks, spoilers, or even open windows can also cause drag and reduce fuel economy. Remove unused accessories and keep windows up at high speeds for smoother airflow.

9. Don’t Let the Engine Idle

When your engine is running but your car isn't moving, you're getting exactly zero kilometres per litre. Idling burns fuel without moving you forward. If you need to wait in the car, turn off your engine if waiting for a little while. Try to avoid heavy traffic by leaving earlier or later than peak times for your daily commute.

10. Service Your Car Regularly

A poorly maintained car can quietly drain your wallet through higher fuel consumption. Issues like clogged air filters, worn-out spark plugs, or inefficient engine tuning all make your car work harder—and burn more petrol in the process. While regular servicing may come with a cost, it pays off in the long run with better fuel economy, smoother performance, and fewer unexpected repairs. Keeping your car well-maintained ensures you get the most out of every litre of quality fuel.

11. Drive On the Highway

You do a lot more braking and accelerating in city streets compared to expressways—cruising along at a steady speed is more efficient than stopping and starting and will get you to your destination faster as well. Try to plan your routes to take advantage of this fact.

12. Consider Upgrading Your Vehicle

If you’ve tried all the above and fuel consumption is still high, your car might be the problem. Consider upgrading to a hybrid, electric, or newer internal combustion vehicle under the Fuel Economy Labelling Scheme (FELS). You’ll find prices, fuel use, and annual costs listed clearly on the vehicle label or online tools. You can also log onto the Singapore Fuel Cost Calculator which gives you fuel economy information for cars approved for registration in Singapore. It lets you compare different models of cars and get an estimate of yearly fuel costs.

13. Drag Race

Aerodynamic drag increases as a square of speed, so if you double your speed from 50km/h to 100km/h, you’re increasing the drag four times and increasing your fuel consumption along with that. Slow and steady wins the fuel-economy race.

Conclusion

Saving money on petrol in Singapore requires a combination of smart driving habits, good car maintenance habits, and taking advantage of credit card discounts. Drivers should always look for up-to-date information on fuel prices and credit card deals to make informed decisions. By using quality fuel and maintaining their vehicles regularly, drivers can also reduce their fuel consumption and save money. By following these tips and recommendations, drivers can enjoy significant savings on fuel costs and contribute to a cleaner, greener environment.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, remember it’s vital to have good .
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