How To Save Money On Gas
How To Save Money On Gas
With inflation hitting a record high, many people are reappraising their travel habits to reduce the financial impact that rising gas prices are having on their budgets. Continue reading below to discover tips on things you can do to save money on gas.
Plan Trips
The best way to save money on gas is to reduce your demand for it. The less you drive the less you need to fill up your tank. This can include running errands on your trip home from work and planning your route to get the most out of your commute. If you live in an area with access to public transportation, that could be a good alternative to driving.
Reduce Air Conditioner Usage
Running the AC is typically less fuel efficient than having your windows down – but this depends on your speed. The higher your speed, having the windows down might not be the best idea compared to using the AC. Having the windows down creates more drag causing a decrease in fuel economy. This is the science of aerodynamics.
If you still prefer to run your AC, check to see if your vehicle has an economy (ECO) setting to allow your vehicle to circulate uncooled air. This can regulate climate control and can reduce overall fuel consumption.
Reduce Clutter
Your truck is not a storage locker. Adding unnecessary items to your vehicle increases weight which can decrease gas mileage. The heavier a vehicle is, the more energy it needs to move which increases fuel consumption. It is recommended to reduce the clutter in your truck for maximized fuel economy.
Avoid Needlessly Accelerating And Braking
Aggressive driving can destroy your fuel economy by nearly 10%-40% for city driving. For instance, each 5 MPH you drive over 50 MPH is like paying an additional $0.31 per gallon for gas. To increase fuel economy, it is best to keep a safe distance on the road to avoid the need to constantly stop and start.
Cruise Control
On many vehicles the MPG is higher for highway driving than city driving. The constant need to stop and start with city driving is hard on your engine and it burns more gas. The benefit of cruise control is that it allows you to go at a constant speed that is more efficient on your engine which improves fuel economy.
Gas Days
According to a study from GasBuddy, the cheapest day of the week to buy gas is Monday whereas the most expensive day is Thursday. Of course if you need gas you should by all means get it so that you do not run out but try your best take advantage of the cheaper days.
Utilize Credit Cards
Many cash back credit cards offer a certain percentage off of gas. This can range from 3%-5% depending on the card. Some credit cards companies also have offers that you can activate to maximize discounts at certain gas stations. Keep in mind that merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell so what a merchant categorizes themselves as can impact your cash back.
Gas Apps
A great tool to locate affordable gas in your area is an app called GasBuddy. There is a filter option to search by location, fuel type, payment method, and station brand. It shows prices in real-time. There are also loyalty programs for specific gas stations such as Shell Fuel Rewards. The app offers a discount off of each fill up by using your linked credit card or Alt ID.
Octane Ratings
Using the right gas for your vehicle is important. This is different for each make and model so make sure to read your owner’s manual. If you can put unleaded gas in your vehicle, there is no need to add premium even if it “rides smoother”. Compared to a horse and carriage, you have the better end of the deal. Do not waste your money if your vehicle does not specifically require a higher grade of octane.
Fuel Injector Cleaners
Techron is a trusted fuel additive that reduces harmful emissions up to 50% that cause air pollution. This in turn can improve fuel economy. Techron can clean grimy deposits that interfere with fuel combustion to boost MPG.
Vehicle Maintenance
One of the best things that you can do for your vehicle to make sure that it is running for a long time and to improve fuel economy is maintenance. This can include routine oil changes, checking the tire pressure, getting tire rotations/alignments, and replacing the engine/coolant filters. Having a clean engine filter can reduce wear and tear on your engine.
Many automotive shops will include free tire rotations (if you buy your tires from them) for the life of your tires. Pep Boys also offers free tire rotations no matter where you bought them. Groupon also has great deals for conventional and synthetic oil changes from local body shops at a discount.
Learning how to do the easier less time consuming maintenance tasks can also save you money on paying someone else for labor costs.
Vehicle Ownership
I’d like to conclude with addressing something that I’ve seen a lot of lately – buying new (hybrid or electric) vehicles strictly for fuel efficiently. Sure, buying a new vehicle might save you money on gas but you now have a new car note to pay (or thousands in cash). It would be cheaper most times to keep your current vehicle until you need to upgrade it rather than simply upgrade it to save on gas but not take into consideration that you now have a higher price to pay for buying a car. Whenever the time does come to upgrade, take into consideration the total cost of ownership (TCO). This includes the overall MPG and maintenance of a vehicle to determine what would best serve your needs.