Are you tired of spending tons of money every time at your gas pump? It’s time to stop breaking your bank every time your car needs a refill. Driving is one of the most crucial parts of our lives, so it’s important to learn how to save as much as possible while using a car.
In this post, I’ll go over a ton of different tips, tricks, and advice on how to get more bang for your buck the next time you stop by a gas station.
Save While Driving
Saving money on gas starts way before you pull up to a gas station. People waste a ton of gas while out on the road without them even realizing it. There are some simple ways to stop excessive gas consumption that will allow you to drive longer and avoid visiting the gas pump so much
- Don’t Carry Around Extra Baggage
- Extra weight in your car may increase the cost per gallon on tank. Keeping that extra load of weight in your car leads to more weight in your car and in the long run so make sure to take out that extra sports equipment or unnecessary junk in your trunk.
- Drive Less
- The most obvious and simple way to stop losing so much fuel is to just stop using it all together. Combine errands, activities, and any other personal outings that you go on into a single trip. If you don’t have to go very far, try using a bike to get around. It will save you gas money and get you in shape fast!
- Warm Up Your Car for a Shorter Length of Time
- It’s understandable that you would want to warm up your car on a cold morning, but you try to avoid warming it up for longer than 30 seconds. Keeping your engine running for more than a minute wastes gas and harms the environment by pumping more gas emissions into the air. Engines of modern cars require much less time to warm up than older cars.
- Drive Steady and Slow Down
- Get up and leave the house earlier so you don’t have to speed to your destination. Driving fast increases drag, which causes increased fuel consumption. Driving smoothly also uses gas more efficiently, so practice easing on and off the accelerator.
- Brake Smart
- If you brake too much your brake pads will wear out while also wasting gas. Keep a safe distance between all other drivers on the road. Making sure to break early also helps improves the efficiency of your fuel consumption.
- Don’t keep the engine running
- If you are waiting to pick someone up or for a train to cross, consider turning off your engine. those 5 or 10 minutes will save the air from unnecessary pollutants and will help you save the next time you go to the gas pump.
- Keep your windows up
- Having your windows rolled down increases wind resistance, meaning that your drag will be increased which leads to higher fuel consumption in the long run. This also applies to any car racks/carriers that you have on your vehicle. If you carry luggage, bikes, etc. on top or behind your car, you will take up more fuel.
- Avoid Gas Stations Near the Highway
- After a long drive down the highway, the first gas station you see on your trip will most likely be expensive because there aren’t any other around to compete. The best way around this is to plan ahead and stop at the nearest town to find a cheaper station.
- Don’t Wait Until Your Tank Is Almost Empty
- If you wait until your tank is almost empty to fill up, you might panic and end up filling up at a gas station that sells their gas for a higher price.
Maintaining Your Car
Keeping an eye on your car is not only good to decrease your fuel consumption, but also to make sure that your car is running at the optimal level. Tires, oil, etc. play a big roll in how much gas you use, so make sure you’re periodically checking them in order to maintain your vehicle while saving money at the gas pump.
- Fill with the correct fuel grade
- While some cars are required to use premium gas, filling up with more expensive fuel isn’t necessary if it’s not required.
- Pump your tires
- Tires that are under-inflated run less efficiently and take up more gas, and will also wear out your tire. Check your tires periodically to make sure that they have to correct PSI level. PSI level will fluctuate due to temperature changes, so be extra cautious during times of shifting seasons.
- Tune the Engine
- Car engines need to be regularly maintained to properly function. This will result in the engine using less gas.
- Change Filters
- If you live in a dusty area, it’s highly recommended that you change your filters regularly. Clean filters will help aid your engine in helping your car be more fuel efficient.
- Use the correct oil
- Check your car manual to see what motor oil it requires, or go to a local car shop and ask around. Using the incorrect motor oil will make your engine work much harder than needed, which leads to unnecessary fuel consumption.
- Turn off the air conditioning
- Using the AC uses energy from the alternator. This means that the energy is coming from engine, which is of course using the fuel in your gas tank. Park in the shade or roll your windows down a tiny bit to help circulate the air.
Additional Methods
- Make the most out of your Costco or Sam’s Club Membership
- Wholesalers like Sam’s Club and Costco often offer high quality gas at a lower price than regular gas stations. If you have a membership and access to these pumps, use them to save money.
- Find the cheapest gas station around you
- Look out for discounted gas station gift cards
- You can find discounted gift cards for gas stations on websites like Raise.com, your local grocery store, or drug stores. These discounts tend to be more frequent around the holiday season but can lead to savings year round.
- Fill your tank up at optimal times
- Filling up your tank when it’s cooler outside (earlier in the day or later at night) and avoiding the heat during the day can get you more gas for the same price. During these time the fuel is denser and pumping then can get you more gas.
- Check your local grocery store for discounts
- Select grocers often have team up with affiliated gas stations and offer higher rewards and savings when you shop at their stores.
- Choose the optimal route
- Take the route with the fewest traffic lights and stop signs as possible. Surprisingly, the shortest route isn’t always the best way to save gas.
- Avoid gas stations close to the highway
- Gas stations that appear after a long stretch of highway are usually more pricey than others. Try to hold off on getting gas from one of these and wait until you hit the next town.
- Get a fuel efficient car
- Pretty obvious tip. Lots of older cars get super bad gas mileage, while more modern cars might surprise you with how well they use the fuel given to them. There are some non-hybrid models out there that get up to 40 miles per gallon. If you are considering getting a new car soon, make sure to check the gas mileage.
Bottom Line
Saving money at the gas pump isn’t as simple as it seems. The next time you find yourself breaking the bank at a gas station, try to remember some of the tips listed in this post. Many people could be savings hundreds over the course of a few months, and you could be one them!
If you find posts like these interesting, be sure to check out our other posts on HMB! Be sure to check out our other posts on Best Credit Card Bonuses, Best Bank Rates, and Best Bank Bonuses!