Personal finance expert has spoken out on a petrol and diesel “urban myth”
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has revealed that a widely-believed trick many motorists think will net them extra fuel for nothing isn’t actually accurate.
The price of petrol and diesel has been up and down in recent months amid the cost of living crisis and high levels of inflation and no driver enjoys throwing money away at the forecourt.
However, penning advice on his Money Saving Expert website, Martin pointed out that refuelling during nighttime hours is unlikely to secure motorists additional fuel at a reduced cost.
He said: “Talk of filling up at night getting you more is a slight urban myth, as the difference is miniscule – 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.”
Throughout the years, countless motorists have insisted that refuelling during evening hours or in chilly conditions will provide them with additional fuel for their cash because cooler temperatures make petrol and diesel denser, reports the Express.
Whilst this remains accurate, most petrol stations store their fuels in climate-controlled tanks, meaning drivers essentially receive identical density regardless of when they top up.
Despite this, motorists might still pocket some savings by refuelling after dark, with certain garages providing reduced prices for petrol and diesel during off-peak periods.
Martin also urged drivers to steer clear of premium fuels in cars that don’t require them, explaining they’re unlikely to impact performance or efficiency in most family motors.
He went on: “Many petrol stations sell ‘high performance’ fuels, yet there’s little or no performance difference for most non-performance cars.
“So, only fill up with the super-fuels if you’ve a sports car or you’ve been specifically advised that your car will actually use the petrol correctly.”
In the majority of instances, premium fuels boast a higher octane rating, which means they can operate at elevated compression levels without early ignition.
Nevertheless, the only vehicle types that generally require higher octane fuels are performance variants, including hot hatchbacks and sports cars.
Certain older motors might also gain from using premium fuels due to their reduced ethanol content, which helps safeguard rubber or metal parts within the fuel system.