Ever wondered if fuel saving tricks really made a difference?

In town, drive smoothly avoiding repeated accelerating then braking . Don’t stay in too low a gear – change up as soon as practical. If you drive an automatic, ease up on the accelerator as soon as you reach your required speed. Try not to drive in peak hour traffic.

Fact: Constant stopping and starting will use fuel faster – therefore repeated bursts of acceleration and driving in heavy traffic will use more fuel than otherwise.

On the freeway, reduce speed and use cruise control if you have this. Use your air conditioner sparingly, and keep your windows closed.

Fact: Yes, the faster you travel the more fuel you will use. A far as the airconditioner is concerned – unless you have it on full blast for extended periods of time, this won’t make such a significant difference.

Check your tyre pressure weekly, when the tyres are cold. Setting your tyre pressure slightly higher than stated in the vehicle handbook will help with fuel economy and safer handling.

Fact: Under Inflated tyres create more drag, making the engine work harder and increasing the amount of fuel used.

You should ensure that your car is serviced regularly to help to save on fuel consumption. Keeping your car correctly tuned, filters in good condition, fuel and ignition systems in good working order and regularly changing the engine oil will all help to avoid excess fuel usage.

The quality of the petrol that you use will impact the distance that you will travel on a tank. If you use a cheaper grade fuel than recommended by the manufacturer, you will probably end up having to fill up sooner and the car will run less efficiently than designed. Remember that ethanol burns more quickly than petrol, so blended fuels like E10 will provide less overall range.

Fact: Keeping your car serviced regularly, with fresh oil and spark plugs when necessary and using the recommended fuel will ensure that your car is not only safe to drive but will save you money in the long run.

If you are able to do so, reduce the amount of load in your car. Things like golf clubs, toolboxes and the like all add unnecessary weight which will increase fuel consumption. External attachments such as roof racks increase wind resistance and therefore fuel use – remove them when not in use.

Fact: Removing excess weight in your car can mean less fuel consumption, depending on the extent of the excess weight.

Back to News

You may find these interesting

What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

For help organising your next steps, read our car accident insurance claim checklist and explore accident replacement vehicle options.

What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

When an insurer declares a car a write-off, it has assessed the vehicle as a total loss under the policy. The damage may make repairs unsafe, or the cost of repairing the car may make a repair uneconomical. A write-off does not always mean the car is visibly destroyed.

How is a write-off decision made?

The assessment can take account of the vehicle's value, repair costs, salvage value and the policy terms. There is no single repair-cost percentage that determines every write-off across Australia. Ask the insurer for its assessment and the basis for its decision.

A total-loss insurance decision and a vehicle's written-off registration category are related but different matters. Whether a car can return to the road depends on the damage classification and the rules of the relevant state or territory.

Statutory and repairable write-offs

Statutory write-off: the vehicle meets specified damage criteria and cannot be re-registered for road use.
Repairable write-off: repairs may be technically possible, but the vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. This label does not itself authorise repairs or guarantee re-registration.

Requirements vary across Australia. In NSW, an eligible written-off light vehicle needs an Authorisation to Repair from Transport for NSW before work begins. Only limited applications are considered, and vehicles with statutory write-off damage are excluded. Approval, compliant repairs and the required inspections are separate steps.

What happens to your insurance payout?

The settlement depends on your cover and circumstances. It may be based on an agreed value, a market value or a replacement-vehicle benefit if your policy provides one. An excess, outstanding premium or finance arrangements may affect the amount you receive. Ask for a written breakdown before accepting the settlement.

Keep the assessment, photographs, policy documents and correspondence together. If you disagree with the valuation, provide relevant evidence and use the insurer's complaints process. See AAMI's explanation of total-loss claims for an insurer's example; your own policy determines your cover.

Getting around after a not-at-fault accident

If you need a replacement vehicle, tell Carbiz that your car has been declared a write-off. Eligibility, vehicle availability, the hire period and the terms of the agreement need to be confirmed for your circumstances. A write-off does not automatically entitle everyone to unlimited hire.

Contact Carbiz to discuss your accident replacement vehicle options. For a practical checklist, read what to do after receiving a write-off decision.

10 October 2017