10 Ways to Save Money on Gasoline

​With gasoline prices slowly on the rise again and summer approaching, we’d all like to know how to save money on gasoline.

1. Drive Less Often

This is a no-brainer, just drive less often. Whether it’s planning ahead so there’s less trips to the grocery store, or taking public transit, walking or biking to nearby places.

How about a carpool to work instead? The less often you drive your car, the less gasoline you’ll need to buy.

2. Buy Gasoline at Certain Times

Buying gas on certain days and at certain times will help catch that good price before it goes up. Usually the best time to buy gasoline is early mornings, before the manager checks the competitor’s prices and adjusts theirs. 8 to 10am is the time to do it.

Also the best day of the week is Wednesday - right before the weekend hikes.

3. Drive Smarter

Learn to drive smarter. Drive slower and more consistent, brake less, and downshift on steep hills. This avoids using more gasoline as driving at 55mph can give you up to 21% better mileage than at 70mph.

Also plan your routes better to find shorter ways to your destination.  

4. Avoid Certain Gas Stations

Avoiding some type of gas stations will save you money. Those right next to interstates tend to be priced higher than those in town.

Also “branded” gas stations charge higher than the independent ones.

​5. Use Apps
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Using Apps such as GasBuddy will help find the cheapest gas closest to you.

Also using an App like Road Trip to track your mileage and fuel efficiency.

6. Maintain Your Car

Keeping your car in good running condition will go a long way in using less gasoline. Dirty air filters and old oil makes the engine work harder thus needing more gas to keep up.

By the same token, having good tires and maintaining good air pressure helps with gas mileage as well.

7. Stop Idling

Whether you’re waiting for someone or are stuck in a drive-thru lineup, turn the car off. Idling just burns up fuel, especially if you’re running the air conditioning as well.

An hour of idling your engine uses up about 0.2 to 0.3 gallons of gasoline. Which is about .45 to .65 cents (using today’s National average of $2.22).

You may think that you won’t idle for an hour, but think about the times you do: idling at the ATM; the drive-thru; warming your car up; waiting for your kids after school; and so on.

8. Use Reward Cards

Using a Fuel Reward Card will add up gallons with your everyday shopping.

You can get 5 cents of gasoline for every $50 spent on groceries, eating out, and the like. That’s about 15 cents off your next fill-up on about one week’s grocery trip.

9. Check your Gas Cap

Making sure your gas cap fits snuggly helps ensure that gasoline won’t evaporate more rapidly than usual, especially on hot days.

This also prevents dirt and other contaminants from getting in and damaging the fuel system.

10. Get a Different Car

Lastly, think about getting a different car. Not just to a better fuel efficient model, but one that better fits your lifestyle. Have the kids outgrown the baby carriers and booster seats to trade in that large mini-van for a sedan?

​Following these ten easy tips will go a long way to saving gas and keeping more money in your wallet.

Tracy,
​​​ ​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon