Motorists have been told to top up their petrol and diesel cars tonight in an urgent warning to road users. William Fletcher, MBE and CEO of Car.co.uk, has warned drivers should be filling up their vehicles “late at night” for a simple reason.
He explained road users would likely get "slightly more” out of the pump in the evening when temperatures were cooler. It means road users hoping to fill up their vehicles could save vital pennies if they visit the forecourt after work or before going to bed.
William said: “There's also a lesser-known benefit to filling up during the coldest parts of the day, early morning or late at night. Fuel expands in warmer temperatures, so you're technically getting slightly more petrol or diesel for your money when it's cooler and more dense.”
Mr Fletcher claimed that Wednesday is consistently the cheapest day to buy petrol and diesel across the UK. He explained that fuel retailers tend to adjust their prices mid-week based on wholesale costs and competitor activity.
Fletcher added that by Wednesday, prices will tend to be at their absolute lowest but will start to creep up again heading into the weekend. However, he explained that Tuesday could also be one of the best days to fill up a tank, depending on regional variance.
William added: “Pricing can vary by region depending on local competition and supply chains. Spend a few weeks tracking prices at your usual stations and you'll start to see when they tend to drop. Some areas might find Tuesday or Thursday works better.”
The warnings are more stark for road users in light of military action in Iran, with concerns that petrol and diesel prices could soar. The conflict in the Middle East is likely to affect global pil supply and distribution, which cold have a knock-on effect at the pumps.
The AA has warned costs could start to rise within 10-12 days, while the cost of Brent crude oil soared past $80 on Monday.
William added: “Drivers don't realise that something as simple as changing which day they fill up can make a tangible difference to their annual fuel spend. If you're saving even 2p per litre and you fill a 50-litre tank weekly, that's £52 saved over a year, which is enough for a few extra tanks of fuel.
“What matters is being strategic about when you visit the forecourt. Avoid the weekend rush, aim for mid-week, and if possible, fill up during cooler hours. These small adjustments require minimal effort, but the savings accumulate.”
