Shop Around

You can try to shop around in your local area for the cheapest gas that you can find but you shouldn’t go too far out of your way just to try and get that best price unless you’re already traveling in that direction anyway. Since your goal is to save money,you would be defeating the purpose by driving around for too long. While you are driving to a location that you would normally be going anyway, you can keep your eyes open for the cheapest gas.

Multitask your shopping expeditions

If you know of a certain gas station that consistently sells lower priced gas but it’s out of your way, you might want to consider making a weekly or bi-weekly journey to this destination. This way you can take a day to get gas, buy your groceries, and take a walk in the park within a different area of the city where you live. In effect, what you are doing is multitasking and saving money on your fuel costs at the same time.

Paying for your gas the smart way

One of the ways that you can save money at the gas pump is by using a gasoline credit card. When you have a gas card, you’ll be able to get a certain percent rebate back on the purchase of your gas. Many gasoline companies are joining up with other retailers to give you numerous savings at the gas pump. Not only are you able to save on your gas purchase, but you’ll be able to earn points towards your next purchase with participating retailers.

Buy your gas in the morning or evening

Gasoline becomes denser in colder temperatures. Gas pumps are set to measure the volume of the fuel that you pump and not the density. This means that if you fill up your gas tank in the cooler morning temperatures, or in the colder evening hours, you’ll be getting better gas price economy. Try to fill up your gas tank later in the evening to avoid the rush of day hours.

Use the Internet

Using the Internet to find the lowest gas prices is a great way to have all the information that you need before getting into your car to fuel up. There are several sites on the Internet that will help you find the cheapest gas in your area.

One of these sites is GasBuddy. GasBuddy has all the information for both the United States and Canada to help you find the lowest gas price on the day that you are filling up your gas tank, so that you can get the recent best prices. The price of gas is always changing so having the latest information is going to save you money over a period of time.

Keep a fuel log

Invest in a small notebook and pen for your car and write down all your gas purchases and mileage that you travel. Start to develop the habit of knowing exactly how much that you are spending in fuel costs. You can also use your fuel log to keep track of the best places to buy your gasoline. You want to see a pattern develop so that you can track your gas spending habits and then make changes if needed.

Keep an eye on your gas consumption

The more aware you are of the amount of fuel that you use, the more you can do to try to reduce your gas costs. If you notice that your gas efficiency is decreasing, it could be an indicating factor that your car needs servicing.

Make weekly comparisons with your fuel log that you keep in you car to see how much your gas consumption is going up and your mileage per gallon is going down. If you are finding that you are constantly seeing less and less performance from your car and spending more for gas at the fuel pump, then you’ll know that you need to take action so that you can start seeing a savings in your gas economy rather than a constant deficit.

Buy gas from a busy station

Try to buy your gas from a gas station that is consistently busy and therefore has its underground tanks filled on a regular basis. Gas stations that are slow will have gas that has been sitting in underground tanks for longer periods of time, leading to gas contamination. This contamination can mean that the gas you are purchasing is less powerful than fresh gas and will decrease your fuel economy. Try to time your visits to busier gas stations at those busy times but make sure that you’re not in a rush to get anywhere.

Turn the nozzle

When you have finished filling up your gas tank, try turning the nozzle of the hose a full 180 degrees. This will drain a bit more gas into your tank; in some cases, up to an entire half cup that would otherwise be a bonus to the next gas customer.

Once you get into the habit of turning the hose, you’ll find yourself doing it without thinking. That extra half cup that you get each time that you fill your gas tank can add up to a lot of extra gas at the end of the year that you never have known about.

Avoid topping off

Try to avoid “topping off” at the gas pumps. When you purchase just a bit of gas at the gas station, the pump doesn’t have enough time to really activate, resulting in short bursts of fuel that may short change you from the amount of gas that you are purchasing. The best time to replenish your gas tank is when you have half a tank or less left in your vehicle, or when you find a gas price that you just can’t afford to miss.

Avoid running your gas tank too close to empty

Try not to drive your car when the gas gauge is on empty. You may think that you using very little gas when your car is on empty, but you are in fact using more gas because your vehicle is running less efficiently as it tries to accelerate and decelerate in a normal fashion. Keep your gas level above the quarter tank mark if at all possible.

Avoid buying gas from a just replenished gas station

When a gas station has its underground tanks filled, the particles at the bottom of the tank are stirred up. These particles can become mixed in with the gas that you are putting into your car, which can lead to efficiency problems. The particles can clog your fuel filter, causing your car to stall and start with some difficulty.

If the gas station that you have decided to stop at has the lowest gas price in your area, you may want to think about taking the time to come back at a later time rather than stopping at the next gas station that is offering a higher price for gas.

Keep your car well tuned

One of the best things that you can do is to keep your vehicle as well tuned as you possibly can. This means taking note of those regularly scheduled maintenance checkups that you often ignore. Studies indicate that a car with an engine that is poorly tuned will increase the amount of fuel consumption from 10 to 20 percent.

Park your car in the shade

Gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly in the sun. Parking in the shade also keeps it cooler inside, and you will need less A/C to cool off when you get back in. If there is no shade available, park so that your gas tank (the actual tank under the car, not the valve to fill it) is facing away from the direct sun.

Park in the first available spot you find

If you wander all over the parking lot looking for that really close parking space, you can end up using more gas.

Change the oil in your car

Change the oil in your car on a regular basis. When you keep the oil in your car clean, you reduce the wear that is caused by friction in the moving parts of your car’s engine. Keeping track of your last oil change will save you money at the gas pump.

If you are unable to change the oil in your car on your own, make sure that you fuel up at a gas station that offers you full service. This way, you can ask the gas attendant to help you fill your car with gas as well as take a look under the hood of your car to change the oil.

The right grade of oil

Make sure that you are using the right grade of oil that is required by your car or truck. Oil grades are measured in viscosity, which determines how much the oil can resist flow. Grades of oil include:

· 0W (this is the thinnest) (“W” stands for winter)
· 5W to 25W
· 20 to 60 (60 is the thickest)

Check with the owner’s manual that comes with your car for more information about the grade of oil that is required by your car. Make sure that you use the right grade of oil to ensure that your car runs as smoothly as it should in all types of weather.

Replace the air filter in your car

Studies suggest replacing the air filter in your car on a regular basis. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve the mileage that you get with your car by up to 10 percent. If you calculate that 10 percent into gasoline savings, you’ll be saving some money.

Replace the fuel filter in your car

Studies show that not only should you be replacing the air filter in your car on a regular basis, you should also be maintaining and regularly replacing the fuel filter.

The cleaner that your fuel filter is, the more efficiently your vehicle is going to run, saving you more money in fuel costs. You can replace the fuel filter yourself or have it replaced when your car is in for a regular maintenance checkup.

Check the alignment of your car

You should be paying attention to the alignment in your car. Improper alignment will cause a certain amount of engine drag, which will increase the amount of gas that you are using.

The better maintained that car is, the better all around performance that you’ll get. Talk to your mechanic about your next alignment servicing.

One of the ways that you can tell if your car is due for alignment is if there is a pulling on the steering wheel when you are driving. If you are experiencing a type of pulling action, it’s important that you schedule an appointment to have an alignment done.

Rotate your tires

When you regularly rotate your tires and check them for uneven use and wear, you will find that you are saving in both tires and gas costs. Check your tires regularly to see how they are doing on wear and tear. If your tires are showing signs of balding, you’ll want to replace them immediately since the better your tires are, the better fuel consumption you’ll see.

Tire maintenance

· Purchase a tire gauge and check your car’s tire pressure every month. Keep all tires inflated to the pressure as recommended for your car. When you are driving around on tires that are under-inflated, you can reduce the fuel efficiency of your car by up to 2 percent for each pound that the tires are under-inflated.

· Under-inflated tires wear out faster, which again contributes to higher gas consumption.

· Not only will you save on gas consumption when you maintain your tires, studies show that you will also save money on the maintenance of your vehicle.

· The best time to check your tire pressure is when it’s cool outside or in the morning after your car has been sitting for several hours without driving.

· Use appropriate tires for each season. When you put away your winter tires in the warm weather, you’ll be able to use them for at least two years.

Service your vehicle before the winter

As the colder weather approaches, you will want to make sure that your vehicle is in the best condition that it can deal with the colder weather. If you car needs servicing and you decide to wait until the spring weather, you will find that your fuel consumption goes up dramatically.

Keep in mind that you may be putting snow tires on your car, further adding to the decrease in fuel economy that you may experience during the months of winter.

Remove snow tires

When it isn’t winter and there is no snow on the ground, you should replace your winter tires with summer tires or all season radials.

Big snow tires with deep treads use more gasoline than lighter tires. Many times, people leave their snow tires on all year round so that they can avoid the hassle of taking their car to the mechanic.

Store your winter tires in a place where they are free from moisture and dry heat.
The better you take care of your winter tires, the longer you can keep them, thus reducing the amount of money spent on maintaining your tires and your car.

The same applies when you put your winter tires on your car and store your summer tires or all season radials. You want to make sure that they are stored correctly and are tightly covered.

Many people overlook the importance of maintaining tires when it comes to saving at the gas pumps. To maximize the most savings that you can achieve at the gas pumps, you need to pay attention to all the details of maintaining and driving your vehicle.

Avoid rough roads

Driving on rough roads, such as those made of gravel or dirt, will affect your gas mileage by as much as 30 percent. If there is an alternative route that you can take, you should consider taking it if it isn’t going to add too many miles onto your trip.

The wear and tear to a vehicle that is being driven over rough gravel road can damage the underside of your vehicle, causing damage that you’re not aware of for some time to come. This damage, even if minimal, could be a factor towards increasing your gas costs and fuel inefficiency.

Combine trips

Try to combine as many purposes into one trip as you can for the following reasons:

· You’ll save time and money by combining the number of errands and stops that you make in one trip.

· When you make several smaller trips, especially in cold weather, you will use up to twice as much fuel than if you were taking a multipurpose trip.

· Cold starts for your car use up more gas and are harder on vehicle maintenance than driving for a longer period of time, keeping the engine of your car warm.

· Planning your trip makes your driving more efficient and you spend less time driving aimlessly from location to location.

Commuting

There are ways that you can get to work that will help you save on gas consumption for your car.

· When driving to work, avoid the peak times for rush hours. This way you’ll use up less fuel and you’ll spend less of you precious time sitting around in heavy traffic.

· Try telecommuting from work if you’re in a position to do so.

· If you are the owner of more than one vehicle, you should try to drive the car that has the best gas mileage more often than the one with higher gas mileage. Save the vehicle with the lower gas mileage for those trips when you don’t want your new vehicle damaged or don’t want to put the miles on the odometer.

· Find out about ride-sharing programs and carpools that are available in your local area. By commuting to work with others, you’ll be cutting your monthly fuel costs by as much as half. You’ll also be saving on the wear and tear of your car.

· Use the public transit service if it’s convenient for you and available where you live. You may be able to drive your vehicle to the bus depot and commute from there. Even though you’re still driving your car part way to work, you’ll still notice a substantial savings when it comes to the cost of your commute to and from work.

Walk

You will definitely save on gas if you leave your car at home. Try walking to close destinations, or take your bike. Today’s society seems to think that we need to drive everywhere we go. If more people walked, rode their bikes, or took public transit, there would be less pollution. As well, you personally will notice a difference in the amount of money that you spend each month on your gas costs.

Avoid fast getaways at the stoplight

Accelerate slowly when the light turns green. The faster that you accelerate, the more gas that you are going to consume. Make sure you start at the stoplight slow and steady so that you conserve as much fuel as possible while you are going from a stopped position into a driving mode.

Avoid idling for long periods

Try to avoid letting your car idle, cause while you're idling, your car is getting zero miles per gallon. Idling to warm up your car is bad, as the engine needs extra fuel to warm up.

Avoid sudden stops and turns

When you are driving your vehicle, you should try to avoid braking suddenly or starting abruptly as it will cause extra wear and affect fuel consumption. Drive responsibly and with care to avoid these stops and starts.

Remove weight from your car

If you are not specifically hauling around some heavy material, make sure that you remove it from your car. This means not using your car as a storage box for unwanted items that you don’t know where to put. The more weight that you carry in your car, other than passengers, the more fuel that you are going to consume as you drive.

Turn off your car

Studies show that it’s more fuel efficient to turn off your car than it is to let it idle for much longer than about 45 seconds. If you are in a long line up at the ferry, waiting for someone outside the store, or waiting for an accident up ahead to clear, you can turn off your car engine and save yourself some money and fuel.

Plan your trips so that you can avoid those long idle moments that will waste your gas and add dollars onto the price of a gallon. It only takes a second to start your car again if you have turned it off while waiting in a traffic jam that doesn’t seem to be moving.

Avoid using the air conditioner

When you first get into your hot vehicle, try to drive with the windows open to let out the hot air and let in a fresh breeze. If this fails to lower the temperature in your car, you can put on the air conditioning. The air conditioner will work more efficiently and faster if you open up the windows first. If you need to use the air conditioning in your car, you should keep in mind that your fuel economy will be reduced by 10 to 20 percent.

One of the ways to use your air conditioner is to use it for minimal amounts of times. Keep the windows closed when you are using the air conditioning. Once the car has reached a cooler temperature, you can turn off the air conditioning but it is important to note that you should still keep the windows closed since opening them will only allow in the hot air once again.

Drive the speed limit

Make sure that you observe the speed limit. Your gas mileage will decrease rapidly when you travel at speeds over 60 mph. If there are other family members in your home that drive, particularly younger drivers, make sure that you keep them aware of the higher fuel costs that are associated with driving too fast and too much over the recommended speed limit that is posted.

Cruise control

When you are driving, you should be using cruise control whenever possible to maintain a steady pace and avoid high acceleration and hard braking.

Anticipate driving conditions

If possible, try to anticipate the driving conditions that you will be taking on your route. If you know the traffic is heavy on a certain road, try to take an alternate route. This also applies to driving conditions that may cause you to tailgate or practice some other inefficient driving procedures.

The cleaner and smoother that your driving is the more fuel costs you will save. Take the time to plan your driving routes accordingly. You’ll find that in the long run you’re saving yourself frustration as well as money.

Avoid rush hour

If at all possible, you should try to avoid driving during peak rush hours. When the traffic is crawling along, you’ll be wasting gas and creating wear and tear on your car.

Avoid fast driving in low gears

If you drive at fast speeds using the wrong and often lower gears, you will reduce your fuel economy by as much as 40 percent.

If you are driving a standard vehicle, make sure that you know how to properly operate the gears and know when to shift.

This is one of the common mistakes that many drivers make. By paying more attention to your driving techniques, you can reduce some of your fuel costs.

Keep your foot off the brake

Try to avoid the habit of keeping your foot on the brake, even lightly, when you are driving. When you rest your foot on the brake, you use more gas than you would otherwise and you also wear out your brakes much sooner.

If you find that you are keeping your foot on the brake without being aware of it, you can try sticking a reminder note to yourself on the dashboard of your car.

Start paying attention to your driving habits to see how important they are and to see how efficiently you drive.

Tighten the gas cap

It may seem like a small thing to do, but tightening the gas cap on your car will prevent gas from evaporating and escaping into the air. If you have a gas cap that doesn't fit tightly, or you have lost your gas cap, buy a new one to replace it.

Use overdrive gears on the highway

When you are traveling on the highway, try to use your overdrive gears. By using your overdrive gears, you can improve the fuel consumption in your car during highway type driving. The concept behind overdrive gears is that they decrease your engine speed, saving you on engine wear and gas consumption.

If you are uncertain about how to use your overdrive gears, ask a friend or your mechanic for some advice.

Purchasing a Vehicle

When you are purchasing a vehicle here are some things that you should keep in mind if you are thinking about fuel efficiency:

· Buy a smaller vehicle that will meet your needs in the city. If you want a larger vehicle, that you won’t be using on a daily basis, you might want to think about leasing one.

· Consider putting yourself on the waiting list of the ever popular hybrid car. The amount of money that you’ll save in fuel costs will pay off in a short amount of time.

· Choose fewer of the “power” options that you are offered when you buy your new car. These power options include air conditioning, power windows, and automatic transmission.

· Buy a two wheel drive if you have no real need for a four wheel drive vehicle.

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