The petrol price will rise by 49 cents a litre on Wednesday,

This is according to the Department of Energy.

Diesel will climb by between 58 and 59c/l while illuminating paraffin will go up by 69c/l and LP gas by 70c per kilogramme.

This will be a record high fuel price, the Automobile Association (AA) said in statement.

The weakening of the rand against the US dollar has combined with sharp increases in international oil prices to produce a new record-high fuel price.

The previous highest price for fuel was in December last year when petrol cost R14.49 a litre.

Based on these figures, a litre of 93 octane unleaded petrol (inland) – which currently costs R14.23 a litre – will now cost R14.72. This is 23 cents higher than the previous record high of R14.49 in December last year.

“Motorists should be aware that further oil strength and Rand weakness could produce further increases in the short to medium term,” the Association concluded.

12 tips to get the best out of your car and save fuel

1. Keep it in shape

Like any machine, your car needs regular tune-ups. Bring your vehicle to technicians who can handle your sophisticated systems and on-board computers.

2. Watch the wear

Air-conditioning reduces fuel economy by as much as 0.43 kilometres per litre. Under-inflated types, by as much as 3 pewr cent.

3. Manage the tear

4. Inspect air filters

Air filters remove debris from the air entering the combustion chamber of the engine. Inspect and replace your air filter at regular intervals to avoid problems.

5. Watch the dirt

Check your air filter more frequently if you drive on dirt roads or do a lot of stop-and-go driving.

6. Take it slow

Decreasing your freeway speed to 88.5km/h increases your fuel economy by up to 20 per cent.

7. Moderation is key

Quick accelerations lower your gas mileage by up to 33 per cent, so apply your accelerator and brakes moderately.

8. Plan ahead

Starting, stopping and idling are bad for your engine and even worse for fuel economy, so avoid rush hour if you can and plan your routes ahead of time.

9. Travel light

Extra weight in your trunk requires extra power and fuel from your engine. Fuel economy is lowered by up to 2% for every 45.4 kilograms, especially for smaller, lighter cars.

10. Reduce the revving

If you drive a manual car, choose the gear with the lowest rpm that doesn’t risk stalling the engine.

11. Avoid the idle

For modern fuel-injected vehicles, ‘warming up’ is no longer necessary. Turn off the engine if you’re not moving. Idling gets you 0 km/l and wastes fuel unnecessarily.

12. Share the load

Car pooling is a great way to lower your fuel expenditure, while enjoying some great company.