11 Ways to Save Money on Gas
By: Luke Shaff ~
5/19/2022
- Always follow your service schedule. If you take your car in for their regular oil changes and mileage check, your car will last longer. Keep in mind always taking your car in if it alerts you. You do not ignore when your body tells you there is something wrong, so you should not do that with your car either.
- Use cruise control when you can. It is estimated that starting at 50 miles per hour is when most cars start decreasing in fuel economy. Every 5 miles driven over 50 miles per hour is as if you were paying an additional 16 cents per every gallon gas. If you can use cruise control or stay under the speed limit, you will most likely be able to save money.
- Try not to weigh down your car with heavy items. The heavier your car, they harder it has to work to be able to actually go. If you can make shorter trips or you can rent a U-Haul the easier it will be on your car. If you do not have those options, try to manage your load by leveling it out throughout the entire car so it works as evenly as possible.
- If you can, try not to run the air conditioning as much as possible (this could be harder during the summer time), but this always helps with the decrease is fuel economy.
- Keep the windows closed! Driving with the windows open creates a greater drag on the vehicle and decreases fuel economy by about 10%. The tip to use, is during slower speeds, roll your windows down, and while driving in higher speeds, you should use the air conditioning.
- Plan your trip wisely. Planning your trip and using the best routes with the lowest miles and the easiest roads will not only help you save money but also time. Make sure to know what gas prices are and how long it will take for you to get there. Double check to make sure there is no construction and if there is what type of roads there are.
- Use the lowest manufacturer-recommended octane. Higher octanes are only necessary for specific circumstances. Otherwise, you’re just spending extra money for no benefit.
- Avoid unnecessary idling. Idling may be convenient, but it won’t help you spend less on gas. In fact, idling uses more gas and releases more emissions than turning off and restarting the car.
- Don’t accelerate or brake hard. Aggressive driving decreases your fuel economy by about 5% in the city and 33% at highway speeds. Sensing a trend yet? Safe driving means saving money on gas all around!
- Use apps to find affordable gas. Apps and websites like GasBuddy and Waze help you find the cheapest gas along your route.
- Join a gas loyalty program. Many gas stations offer reward programs to help loyal customers save at the pump. Each program has its own rules, so don’t forget to read the fine print.
There are plenty of other ways to save money while driving, these are just a few of the top ways. Be sure to always take care of your car just as you would yourself.
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