15 Ways to Save Gas and Money

The first thing to do is to use tools available on the internet (www.gasbuddy.com, www.gaspricewatch.com) to check prices at stations near your home or workplace. Visit the sites on a daily basis. You will find that gas prices change at the pumps daily. Just remember: It does not make sense to drive 20 miles to save five-cents a gallon.

2. Choose the Time of the Week and Time of Day You Fill Up Wisely

Because the price of gas usually increases on the weekend, it is best to choose to fill you gas tank during the week. Normally the best prices are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is also better to buy gas at nighttime, because the gas pump actually puts out more gas when the sun is down. This means the temperature is lower.

3. Rideshare

It has been drilled into the heads of drivers for years, but it is true that it saves money. Carpool with people that work and live near you. This way you are able to split the cost of gas. In addition, many major cities offer carpool vans as a service. The concept is similar to a bus, but smaller and more personal. These modes of transportation pick you up at your door and drop you off at the door of work. The do the same on the return trip. This is a great option for those that lives a ways from work.

4. Maintain Your Automobile

There are many different ways that an automobile should be maintained. Many of these steps will reduce gas consumption. These include changing the oil, getting a tune up, replacing the air filter, proper wheel alignment, and properly inflating the tires (usually to 28 PSI). Poor wheel alignment makes your engine work harder, which burns more fuel. Poor tire inflation can force a car to reduce efficiency of fuel by almost 3 percent. These maintenance tips can reduce gas consumption by up to 10 percent

5. Stop When the Pump Stops

When the gas pump stops automatically, do not continue to top off the tank. When attempting to put a small amount of fuel into your take the pump does not actually have time to begin the flow of gas. Which mean that you will not actually get what you pay for.

6. Check Your Cap

A loose or broken gas cap not only allows gas to escape into the tank but it harms the environment. If the gas cap on your car is missing, you must replace it with a new one as soon as possible. This alone has the ability to save two cents per gallon.

7. Watch Your Speed

For each 5 mph over a 60 mph rate of speed that you travel, you use the equivalent of an additional 10 center per gallon. For those with lead feet, the best solution, if you have one is to use cruise control. Cruise control will allow one to maintain his or her speed. However, this is only an option when not driving in traffic.

8. Drive As Evenly As Possible

It is advisable to reduce the amount of times that you have to start and stop during your trip. Sudden and frequent starts and stops can waste up to 50 cents on every gallon of gas. A good way to manage uncontrollable stops and starts is to plan the route that you will take. Keep in mind that it is best to travel in a direction that avoids hills and valleys and avoids traffic-laden areas.

9. Lighten Up on the Load

Heavy items in the car increase the drag of the car. If heavy items must be transported in the car, place them in the trunk as opposed to roof racks. Do not use the car for storage. Remove items from the car that do not need to be there. Remember that for each 100 extra pounds transported the automobile loses between one and two percent fuel efficiency.

10. Stop Being Idle

Idling wastes gas and adds to the pollution in the air. If a car must sit still for more than 30 seconds, just kill the engine. This can save about one cent per gallon for every two minutes that your car is not running in idle mode.

11. Take Advantage of Gas Discounts

Many grocery chains that offer gasoline will provide a discount for purchasing a certain amount of groceries at the store. May use of this option. In many instances, you can save from 10 to 20 cents per gallon. This not only gives you a break on the price, but also allows you to combine the trip. Do your grocery shopping and make a gas purchase in the same trip.

12. Choose Your Mode of Transportation with Gas Consumption in Mind

Ever wonder why more men and women are on motorcycles lately? If you own more than one form of transportation and have the option of choosing which one to drive, go with the one that provides the better gas mileage. This is something that many do not think about, but it is a clear way to reduce gas consumption.

13. Get Rid of the Air

The use of air conditioning in cars actually uses a great deal of fuel. Turn the A/C off when possible. Open and use your windows or sunroof when driving at slower speeds. When driving faster, use the fan of your car (turn the cooling element off). Remember to roll the windows up because this increases the drag in your car and uses more gas.

14. Carefully Choose Where To Buy Gas

Refrain from buying gas at stations that are located near freeways and busy areas. Gas prices are normally priced higher at these locations because you are paying for the convenience. It is also advisable to purchase gas for stations that do a lot of business. This is because busy gas stations have their supply tanks refilled frequently. This means that the gas will be brand new and will not contain contaminates that infiltrate tanks that sit. The result is better quality gas in the gas tank.

15. Follow the Suggestions of the Owner's Manual

Unless your owner's manual instructs you to use a higher-octane fuel, stick with regular unleaded. Higher-octane fuel does not improve the performance of the car unless the manufacturer makes this a requirement. One should also follow recommendations on the grade of motor oil to use in the engine. It is even better to use a motor oil that says that it's "energy conserving". This step could improve your gas consumption by up to two percent.

Sources:

How to Save at the Pump: 62 Ways
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