Fuel prices jumped again. Here’s what actually saves money and what doesn’t
From fake fuel-saving gadgets to aggressive electric vehicle campaigns, Israelis are about to be flooded with advice. Here is what actually saves money, and what is just marketing.
The Ministry of Energy announced another increase in fuel prices in Israel. The rise this time is sharp, exceeding 60 agorot per liter, bringing the price of self-service gasoline to NIS 8.09 per liter.
Naturally, such announcements are always followed by the same phenomenon: Israelis rush to gas stations to fill their tanks and save a few extra shekels before the new price takes effect.
A few hours later come the “experts” offering a long list of supposedly foolproof fuel-saving tricks, from avoiding aggressive acceleration to not using the air conditioner. Then come the car importers, who seem to have a remarkable ability to identify moments of public anxiety and quickly promote new vehicles.
But now that the price increase has arrived, it is worth separating fact from fiction.
This is not a guide for people who plan to sit in a hot car to save fuel, nor is it a recommendation to immediately replace a perfectly functional vehicle with an electric car that may require financial compromises. It is a practical guide for ordinary drivers who understand that fuel prices rise and fall and want to reduce unnecessary expenses in the meantime, without panicking at the gas station.
The Israeli automotive accessories market is full of “fuel-saving solutions,” usually advertised at the bottom of popular websites. One click is enough to unleash a flood of ads promising devices that supposedly change the “ionic composition” of fuel, magnets that alter gasoline chemistry, special materials inserted into fuel tanks, and other miracle solutions.
The truth is simple: these products do not work.
Changing the chemical composition of fuel without sophisticated industrial processes is about as realistic as turning ordinary metal into gold with a household device. Magnets cannot alter the molecular structure of gasoline, and there is no such thing as a simple gadget that magically improves combustion efficiency.
Spending money on these devices is essentially the same as throwing money into a fire.
Don’t believe every car importer either
Whenever fuel prices rise, new campaigns from car importers usually follow. Suddenly, messages about economical electric cars, freedom from gas stations and massive savings appear everywhere.
There is no question that electric vehicles can reduce fuel expenses. But purchasing decisions should not be based solely on the price of gasoline.
In Europe, rising fuel prices often accelerate electric vehicle adoption. In Israel, the picture is more complicated. Consumers face different prices, different models and a different used-car market. Depreciation can also be significant.
There is little logic in buying a car that saves NIS 1,000 per month in fuel but loses NIS 2,000 per month in value.
Importers also sometimes use periods of public concern to promote vehicles that are harder to sell, including unpopular models or excess inventory. Before buying any vehicle, consumers should check depreciation rates and speak with existing owners.
Facebook groups dedicated to specific models can reveal valuable information about reliability, spare parts availability, service quality and recurring problems.
Saving money at the gas pump is meaningless if it comes at the cost of years of frustration.
Modern vehicles include several systems designed to improve fuel efficiency, and many drivers simply ignore them.
Many hybrid vehicles, and even some gasoline-powered cars, include driving modes such as ECO, NORMAL and SPORT. ECO mode adjusts gear-shifting behavior, reduces unnecessary performance and can slightly optimize air-conditioning operation, improving efficiency, especially on longer drives.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles often include additional driving programs that help maximize electric driving and reduce fuel consumption.
Another useful feature is the automatic start-stop system, which shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stationary. Many drivers disable it because it can feel annoying, but it does save fuel, especially in urban driving.
Sometimes saving money is simply a matter of pressing the right button.
Simple math
“The fuel price went up - run to the gas station.”
But let’s do the math.
The average family car has a fuel tank of around 50 liters. A 60-agorot increase per liter means an additional cost of roughly NIS 30 for a full tank.
Even assuming a family fills up three times a month, the total additional cost is less than NIS 100.
Yes, NIS 100 matters, especially during a period of rising living costs. But it is important to keep things in perspective.
Don’t drive like you’re in a race
“Turn off the air conditioner.”
“Brake less.”
“Never accelerate.”
Many popular fuel-saving tips are unrealistic, especially during an Israeli summer, on crowded roads filled with impatient drivers.
But there are simple habits that can help.
Nobody is asking drivers to brake dangerously less often, but smoother acceleration can reduce fuel consumption. Avoiding unnecessary speed also matters. On a long trip to Eilat, for example, the difference between driving at 120 km/h and 90 km/h can significantly affect fuel consumption, and possibly also your relationship with traffic police.
Company car? Use it
For hundreds of thousands of Israelis with company cars, fuel price increases are far less relevant.
If a household has both a private vehicle and a company car, rising fuel prices may be a good reminder to use the company vehicle more often.
There is no shame in asking for a ride, especially when someone else is paying for the fuel.
Yes, prices will probably fall again
Is the panic justified when fuel prices rise?
History suggests caution.
When geopolitical tensions ease, including the current uncertainty surrounding Iran, fuel prices can decline just as quickly as they rise.
The last time prices fell, they did not do so gradually. They simply dropped.
A temporary increase of around NIS 100 per month is not a reason to rush into buying a new vehicle costing tens or hundreds of thousands of shekels. It is also not a reason to purchase questionable fuel-saving gadgets or allow aggressive marketing campaigns to dictate a major financial decision.
At most, during August, already one of Israel’s hottest months, drivers may choose to travel slightly less until the heat passes.
Sometimes the best fuel-saving strategy is simply keeping things in proportion.
