Most of us definitely haven't thought about what a car would do if we put other liquids in an engine that runs on petrol. But cars are running on all kinds of stuff these days, right? Like electricity, and so on? That's what I hear. It's worth a try to put Coke in the tank, in case fuel prices go up and we all get desperate.

A combination of rising crude oil prices, bigger retail margins and a stronger global economy has meant Aussie petrol prices have continued to climb over the past month. The result? Aussies are having to spend an extra $20 a month on petrol compared to the same time last year.

If you're looking to save money at the bowser, here's a few apps that can save you big time.

According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) figures, Australian petrol is the worst of all 35 OECD countries. Aussie standards allow for 150 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur - the stuff that, once it hits the atmosphere, can form acid rain and also cause respiratory issues for anyone who likes breathing. It's been 15 years since we last revisited the standards in our fuel - it's time we took another look.

Petrol prices are notorious for fluctuating wildly in the lead up to a long weekend. The "official" explanation is tied into the economics of supply and demand - but we all know price gouging plays a part too. (Citation needed.)

Fortunately, it's possible to predict when to avoid the bowser and when to fill up your tank by engaging in a little market research. The math boffins at comparethemarket.com.au have done the hard work for us. Here's a petrol cheat sheet for Australia's major cities this Labour Day weekend.

Australian motorists have been enjoying super low fuel prices in recent months. To paraphrase the late, great Prince, we've been petrol-partying like it's 1999. Unfortunately, the salad days could be coming to an end. Here's why.

Petrol prices have dropped significantly in the last three months, a trend that is expected to continue into the Christmas and New Year period, according to the ACCC - who says you should still be shopping around.

I drive a lot of different vehicles when I need to get around, but I'm always a little worried when it's time to fill them up. Will something happen if I use 91 instead of 95, or vice versa? Well, this thread at StackExchange answers the question, and long story short, there's little to worry about.

BPMe is a mobile payment app that allows customers to pay for petrol from inside their vehicles. In other words, you no longer have to trudge into the store and avoid all those overpriced snacks during fuel stops. Hurrah!

And so we arrive at one of the most debated topics at present; diesel versus petrol. The efficiency of each, no matter your choice of vehicle, is a factor that can save you financially and also protect the environment. It's a small decision with the potential for big impact. Here's what you need to know.

Ever wondered where the cheapest petrol or diesel or LPG is around your house or near your work? GasBuddy, a fuel-finding app which has over 15 million active users in the US, is launching today in Australia.

Global stock markets have been in a tailspin this week. And the sinking price of oil received at least some of the blame. Producers keep pumping more oil, even as prices are falling to fresh 12-year lows every day. What's driving this?

Falling oil prices mean cheaper petrol, and that makes most of us pretty happy. The average price for petrol in Australia is now $1.22 per litre, nearly $0.13 less than it was last April. Over time, though, cheap petrol isn't always a good thing. It can have a big impact on the economy, and, in turn, your wallet.

John and Helen Taylor hold the world record for more than 40 fuel economy driving challenges. They therefore know a few things about saving a few bucks at the bowser. Currently, the pair are in the midst of a 19,000km road trip across Australia in an attempt to smash their car's average fuel usage. Read on for their top five bowser hacks.

The latest figures from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirm what everyone hitting a bowser had noticed: petrol was a lot cheaper in the last three months. However, that doesn't mean we should expect the trend to continue.

Over the past few months, petrol prices in Australia have fallen to record lows. Some motorists have been paying as little as 99 cents per litre; a price not seen in this country in more than half a decade. So what’s causing petrol prices to plummet so dramatically? We take a look at where the situation currently stands, along with some ways it could save you money beyond the bowser.

It's often said that driving with a half-full tank will save you money on fuel, but do the numbers really stack up? Tim Trudgian from the Australian National University investigates.

Turns out your best chance of petrol prices becoming lower in your area is if a Costco opens up nearby. Monash University economics professor Stephen King explains how competition makes petrol cheaper in Australia, and why prices take so long to fall after oil prices reduce.

Woolworths has just announced a scheme where you can get up to 14 cents off the per-litre price for petrol at its outlets. That might sound tempting -- but it pays to do the calculations carefully, because the chances are the savings will be illusory.

When it comes to cooling down your car, it turns out there's really no more fuel-efficient way to do so than to roll your windows down. Yes, even on the highway.