Gas Savings Tips
Most people have been hit hard in the wallet with food and fuel prices hitting all-time highs. This is putting a major strain on most budgets. Gas prices may have come down slightly in the meantime, but right now most economies are still unstable. There are a lot of things out of our control, so the best thing you can do for your budget is to learn what you can do with things you CAN control. Learn how to keep your gas budget as low as possible as every little bit you do now could help your future self and family. Small steps could add up to a big difference.
Below are a few ideas that could help make that difference.
Fill-up Habit
Avoid filling up in the heat of the day.
Fuel expands with an increase in temperatures, so to get the best bang for your buck, fill your tank up when the temperatures are cooler. In the summertime when temperatures get high, try to go earlier in the morning, or later in the evening when it might be a little cooler.
Fill your tank when it’s HALF FULL.
Do NOT wait until you are nearing empty to fill up. Gasoline evaporates more quickly than you might think. Air in the tank can cause gasoline to evaporate, so by not allowing your tank to go below half full, you minimize the empty space inside the tank, reducing evaporation.
Do NOT squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a full fast mode.
Gas pumps are equipped with a vapor recovery system. Pumping at high speeds can create more gasoline vapors which the nozzle will pull back into the system. This means you could be paying more gas than you actually receive. If you are pumping in the fast mode, some of the liquid that goes to your tank has a bigger chance of becoming vapor. Most gas station hoses have a vapor return, so these vapors can be sucked up and back into the underground storage tank.
Do NOT fill up if a gasoline truck is pumping into the storage tanks.
Most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered into the underground storage which means you might pick up some of the dirt that would normally settle on the bottom.
Driving Routines
Plan your trips and combine errands.
If possible, try to combine your errands with other trips. Are there grocery stores, banks, or gas stations along your route to work? If you can knock out some of these errands before or after work, you could avoid making separate trips that would use more fuel.
Plan your fill-ups.
Studies show that gas prices tend to be lowest on Mondays and Tuesdays, and they will steadily climb as the weekend approaches. Try to fuel up earlier in the week and avoid filling up on weekends.
Double-check your route.
Check to make sure you are taking the shortest route.
Check Google Maps to get real-time traffic to avoid any slowdowns as that could eat up more of your fuel.
Driving habits
Drive with patience.
Hard braking and excessive acceleration can not only be harder on the wear and tear of your vehicle, but it also uses more fuel. Try slower braking or even coasting to a stop whenever possible and try slower acceleration. This is better for your vehicle, and it can help you get the most miles per gallon with your fuel.
Use cruise control.
Maintaining a steady pace can help ensure you get the best fuel economy with your vehicle.
Avoid idling.
They say idling for longer than 30-60 seconds can waste more fuel than restarting the engine. It is also harder on your engine which can lead to higher maintenance costs over time.
Use eco mode (economy mode) while driving in town, if your vehicle has this feature.
This will electronically change how your vehicle operates to provide better fuel efficiency. This can differ from vehicle to vehicle but can include reducing throttle response, shifting earlier, reducing air conditioning, and/or stopping the engine automatically when the vehicle is stopped and then starting the engine when the brake pedal is released.
Vehicle Maintenance
Do not skip routine maintenance. Your vehicle’s maintenance schedule is there for a reason, so follow what your vehicle needs to keep it running as smoothly as possible.
Check tire pressure.
Check tire pressure when the tires are cooler. Tires can be warm after the vehicle has been driven, and that can mean the air inside the tires could be warm as well. Since warm air expands, this will increase the pressure in the tires. To get the most accurate reading, try to check them when they are cooler.
Check your tire pressure at least once per month and always before a long trip. Don’t forget, be sure to check the spare tire as well.
Make sure you have the correct tire size for your vehicle. Incorrect tire size can affect rolling resistance and the performance of the vehicle.
Remove any extra weight in the vehicle and make sure your vehicle is aerodynamic.
Do you have a lot of unnecessary items in your trunk? Do you have a roof rack or anything else attached to your vehicle? This can all add extra weight and/or affect the wind resistance on your vehicle potentially causing it to work harder.
Make sure your air filter is clean.
A clogged air filter will not allow enough air to enter the engine which can cause your engine to work harder becoming less efficient. This can lead to poorer gas mileage and faster wear on your engine.
Change the oil on schedule and make sure to use the correct oil for your car.
Stop buying premium gas if your car doesn’t require it, however, be sure to check your owner’s manual on this.
Rewards/Memberships/Cash Backs
Join gas reward programs.
Some gas stations offer reward programs or loyalty programs that could help you save a little when fueling up.
Join a warehouse membership.
Some warehouse stores like Sam’s Club and Costco will offer lower gas prices for members, however, be sure to do the math weighing the pros and cons of the added membership cost. How far is one of these stores to you? Would you shop for food and supplies there as well? Would you take advantage of any other services they offer (i.e. pharmacy, optical, or the tire center, along with other third-party savings)? Could this save you money, or would it cost you more in unnecessary shopping?
Use apps like Upside, GasBuddy, or Gas Guru.
These are apps that let you search for gas prices by city, state, and zip code, and some offer cashback rewards for fueling at certain gas stations.
Use a mileage and expense tracker app.
These can help you track the miles per gallon, track your oil changes, and track any maintenance your vehicle requires helping you to calculate the true cost of your vehicle.
Some credit cards offer cash back for gas purchases; however, this option will not save you money if you cannot handle credit cards responsibly. Letting any balance carry over till the next month will allow the credit card company to become a loan shark to you costing you more money in interest. This will negate any savings you are trying to accomplish.
Other Tips
Do not let your fuel tank go below half a tank, or at least not below a quarter tank, especially right now.
With all the supply chain issues we’ve been experiencing; you do not want to end up out of gas only to find the gas stations nearby do not have any fuel or are unable to sell any of it due to unforeseen circumstances.
Be sure to keep a little extra cash, hidden well, in your vehicle for emergencies.
Companies are a constant target for hackers, and this seems to be happening more and more. Being able to pay cash at a gas station can be a huge asset if you are in need and the gas station’s credit card system is down for one reason or another. (We actually experienced this a few years ago. We were a little ways from home and needed to fuel up, but the area we were in had suffered a recent power outage so the gas stations [and other stores] around were unable to process credit cards. Thankfully, we had cash and were able to fuel up.)
Let me know your thoughts, or if you have any other tips or suggestions for saving money at the pump and/or on other vehicle costs.
For more savings tips on everyday essentials, please check out my Groceries and Gas page.
