25 Ways to Save on Gas

Political unrest in Libya and the Middle East has forced gas prices to an all-time high. It is important to take certain steps in measures to keep both your bank account and gas tank filled up.  If purchasing a more cost efficient car is out of the question, there are numerous steps you can take to help you cut down on gas costs and keep money in your bank account at the same time.

1. Fill up on a Wednesday – Statistics show that gas prices are actually cheaper on Wednesdays than any other day. (However, this may not be the case for each and every week, so take advantage of it if you see a great deal).

2. Drive the speed limit – Speeding puts your life and bank account at an unnecessary risk. Each time you press down on the gas pedal thing about the dollars and pennies that are literally falling out of your pocket just to pay for your impatience. Accelerate gently, and keep in mind that it will take 20-30 percent more gas to drive at 70 mph than 50 mph.

3. Remove unnecessary items in your car – Lugging around extra items in your vehicle while you drive around can put a damper on your fuel tank. Keep in mind that an extra 100 pounds in your  vehicle can actually reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. Some say that putting your tailgate down on your truck can get more gas mileage, however this is disputable.

4. Idle away – Coast through a drive-through and save money on gas prices. Idling instead of  pressing down on the brakes will save you a lot of money. You should also be aware that even when your car is idling it still uses a “fixed amount” of gas, especially if your AC is on.

5. Use cash instead of credit cards – Some retailers will offer deals to customers who use cash instead of credit cards, and may even offer deals that are 5 to 10 cents less per gallon if paid by cash. If you’re really strapped for cash, you shouldn’t be using your credit card anyways unless you want to pay a ton of interest rates.

6. Don’t use your air conditioner – This of course depends on where you live and what season it is…but try to turn off your AC approximately 5 minutes before you park your car. Also, try switching your air condition to an “economy” or “recirculation” setting to help cut down on gas costs.

7. Apply for credit cards that offer gas savings – Some credit card companies will offer discounts or even frequent flyer miles whenever you use their card to purchase gas.

8. Join the club – If you’re a regular shopper at a particular gas station or grocery store, check to see if you can sign up for their membership and get great discounts on gas.

9. Don’t fill up on a holiday – Because families tend to travel more on holidays and weekends, companies will hike up gas prices just to make a profit. Apparently if you fill up three days before  a holiday weekend you will save loads on gas.

10. Make sure your car is in tip top shape – We all know how expensive replacing car parts can be. But if you fall behind on your car maintenance, it could actually be costing you more in gas.  Think long-term and shell out the cash now, otherwise you could have some serious financial  issues down the road. Look for worn spark plugs, misalignment, bent wheels, leaks, etc.

11. Park in the shade – Shockingly enough the gas in your tank will actually evaporate if your car is sitting in the sun for too long. Then your AC doesn’t have to work as hard when you start up your car again. If you can’t find a shady parking spot, then try parking your car so it faces the opposite  direction of the sun. Try and purchase a windshield shade as well, and be sure to keep your sun or moon roof closed at all times.

12. Do it all in one trip – Try to do all your errands and shopping when you’re either driving to work, or coming home from work. Avoid filling up your car on weekends altogether, as gas prices may be slightly higher.

13. Don’t spend forever searching for a parking spot – Even if the first parking spot you see is far away from your destination, suck it up and walk for an extra two minutes. Driving around a parking lot for an extra minutes will cost you more than a few extra pennies.

14. Fill it up all the way – If you’re the type of person who likes to spend $10 on gas one day, and then $20 on gas two days later, you could be doing a lot of damage to your bank account. Fill it up all the way and save a ton of money. It’s better for the environment too.

15. Don’t wait until you’re empty – Once your gas tank is down to a quarter tank will not only  save you money in the long run, it’s also better for your car because you’re reducing the risk of condensation in your fuel tank. Not only that, by running your car on less than a quarter of a tank it can actually damage your electric fuel pump.

16. Your GPS is your friend – If you already own a GPS, take it with you everywhere (even if you know where you’re going) so you can use it to help you calculate the shortest driving distance from where you need to go. If you don’t own a GPS but you know your way around the area, try to look for alternate routes that are shorter and straighter so you don’t have to press down on the gas pedal as much.

17. Don’t leave your car running – If you’re parked waiting for train to pass, or if you’re waiting to pick someone up after work. Just turn your car off! It’s so simple, yet a lot of people forget to do this.

18. Brake it – This is specifically for drivers who are stuck in traffic jams when they’re driving to and from work. Keep a distance between you and the car ahead of you rather than pressing down on the accelator just to brake a few seconds later. Not only will it get you 10-20 percent better gas mileage, it will also force everyone else around you to do the same. (Everyone wins!)

19. Check your tire pressure – You should be checking your tire pressure on a weekly basis. Statistics show that if your tires are five pounds underinflated, you’ll actually be using up to 30%  more gas!

20. Replace your air filter – Believe it or not replacing a clogged air filter can actually improve your gas mileage by 10 percent!

21. Get a rental car – If you’re driving around an SUV or a gas-guzzler, maybe you should park it for a few months and drive a rental car until the gas prices go down. (If they ever do…) Choose a smaller car that is great on gas and watch your savings go up.

22. Drive in silence – Charging your iPod or even playing the radio can actually increase your gas mileage. It may not be a lot, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

23. Carpool – Split the cost of gas with a friend or co-worker and cut down on your gas costs by 50%. If the thought or driving with your co-workers to and from work everyday makes you cringe…suck it up until the gas prices go back down.

24. Take the bus – Public transportation is there for a reason. Taking advantage will not only save you money, it will also help the environment too. Look for daily, weekly, or even monthly passes to cut down on transportation costs.

25. Ride a bike or walk – Spring is right around the corner, are you taking advantage of this beautiful weather? Take advantage of the beautiful weather while it lasts, and use your car only on rainy days or when you’re running behind so you don’t feel as guilty. Park your car and save hundreds of even thousands of dollars on insurance and gas costs.

 

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Bio: Lisa Shoreland is currently a resident blogger at Go College, where recently she’s been researching teaching scholarships as well as biology scholarships. In her spare time, she enjoys creative writing,practicing martial arts, and taking weekend trips.

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