CONSUMERS are digging deeper into their wallets as oil prices hit an all-time high last week of more than $60 a barrel. The increase is filtering down to the petrol pumps and steep prices can be expected to continue for some time, according to Conor Faughnan of the Automobile Association (AA).

The eurozone is being hit hardest as the currency has weakened against the dollar, he says. The AA’s June fuel price survey in the first two weeks of the month found a national average of 101.9c per litre and July’s survey at Aaireland.ie will show even higher rates.

Although drivers cannot affect world oil markets, they can reduce their bills, says Faughnan. The association’s monthly survey consistently finds that prices vary considerably from one service station to the next.

“No matter what area they are in, most people can save five cents per litre by seeking out the cheapest garage they can find locally,” he said. “That adds up very quickly: it can save you €2.50 every time you fill the tank of an ordinary family car.”

Dermott Jewell, the chairman of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland, said Irish consumers have an unusual buying pattern when it comes to fuel.

“Many motorists have a preference for a particular brand, have done all their life, and will not change,” he said.

Over the past three years, there has been a difference of up to 14% between the cheapest and dearest fuels on offer, he says.

It is easy to find the bargains as there are several websites dedicated to highlighting the lowest fuel prices. The best known, www.Irishfuelprices.com, shows the lowest prices by area.

Last Thursday, for example, the lowest reported petrol price in north Dublin was 99.9 cents a litre at the Tesco in Clearwater, at the Shell station on the Finglas Road in Glasnevin and also at the Esso on the same road.

On the southside of the city, the Tesco station at Dundrum Town Centre was charging 99.9 cents a litre, as was the Texaco on Rochestown Avenue in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. From Donegal to Cork, this was the cheapest price recorded at any station the previous day.

The downside of these websites is that the entries are made by the public and they are not checked independently. Sadly, this can leave the sites open to manipulation by unscrupulous garage owners. Consumers should always check the price being offered at the pump before filling up.

The AA advises drivers always to buy fuel in units of litres rather than euros. This makes it obvious where you get the best value.

Although finding the lowest price may mean a drive for some, especially for those outside Dublin, it may still be worthwhile as a €2.50 saving each week adds up to almost €120 a year.

Fuel efficiency is also a matter of behaviour. Motorists who drive smoothly and slowly save more fuel than those with a brake-hard, start-fast driving style. Drivers using air conditioning also burn 8%-10% more fuel.

Drag is another important factor, according to Faughnan. The greater the drag, the greater the energy required to move the car. He advises drivers always to unload the boot fully and remove roof and bicycle racks when not in use.

Cyril McHugh, of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, said: “Even simple things, such as keeping tyres properly inflated, can make a difference to fuel consumption.”

When buying a new or used car make sure to check its fuel-efficiency rating. Check the number of kilometres it achieves per litre or miles per gallon with dealers and then double-check those figures in motoring magazines or on consumer websites.

Some older cars and SUVs get as little as 15 to 20 miles to the gallon. The website Autofinder.ie is an excellent resource for those seeking the most fuel-efficient models. Shoppers can list three categories they see as priorities, such as running costs, comfort or performance. They then define their price range before receiving a list of cars, ranked out of 10, that fits their criteria.

To achieve the biggest saving on fuel costs, however, it is worth considering hybrid cars, which generally combine an electric motor with a petrol engine. The Toyota Prius is the most widely available and was voted 2005 European car of the year by motoring journalists.

More hybrids are expected in the near future and competition should keep prices realistic.

The AA is also lobbying the government to introduce greater tax breaks for green vehicles, which should drive prices down further.