Motorists can snag “lower prices” at the pumps by changing their routines, a tip endorsed by money-saving guru Martin Lewis. Rebecca Bebbington, personal finance expert at NetVoucherCodes, has highlighted that petrol and diesel drivers could “take advantage” of better rates by refuelling at specific times.
She suggests that changing when you fill up, such as avoiding peak hours and opting for late evenings or early mornings, can lead to significant savings, especially with fuel costs soaring this year. Rebecca advised: “Petrol prices can fluctuate throughout the day, with prices typically lower during off-peak hours.”
She recommended: “Try to fill up your tank early in the morning or late at night to take advantage of potentially lower prices.” She also warned against refuelling during busy periods like midday or after 5pm when most people are leaving work.
This savvy strategy is backed by Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis, who has pointed out that filling up at night could give you a “tiny bit extra” petrol or diesel.
The reason? Fuel expands with heat, so it’s less dense when warm, reports the Express.
Therefore, those who top up in cooler temperatures get more bang for their buck due to the denser fuel. He clarified: “Talk of filling up at night getting you more is a slight urban myth, as the difference is minuscule – pennies at best.
“Fuel pumps are calibrated by volume, so fill up at night when it’s colder and you get a tiny, tiny bit extra.”
Yet, it’s worth noting that most petrol stations store their fuel underground in large tanks, which maintain a constant temperature, rendering the time of day less significant.
Recent figures from RAC Fuel Watch, the premier site for comparing petrol and diesel prices, indicate the latest costs.
Unleaded petrol prices are currently averaging 136p per litre while diesel comes in at 143p.
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