Best Ways to Save Money on Gas
As gas prices soar, many people are searching for ways to save money on gas fill-ups. Gas is one of the highest costs that come with owning a vehicle, in addition to insurance, financing fees, and maintenance.
Here are a few ways to not only find the cheapest gas but also reduce the amount of fuel you use.
Use Gas Station Comparison Apps
Gas station comparison apps are a great way to check how much gas stations in your area are charging per gallon.
These apps use your zip code to identify the cheapest real-time prices at a gas station within driving distance of your home and intended destination. A few great gas comparison apps include GasBuddy, Gas Guru, and Dash.
Some of these gas-saving apps may come with a small annual fee, so it’s always a good idea to compare how much you’re saving to how much you’re paying for the app.
Pay With Cash
Most gas stations have cheaper gas prices when you pay with cash. Merchants, including gas providers, have to pay a few pennies per transaction for credit card payments.
This means that many gas stations are willing to pass the savings on to customers when they pay cash for their gas. If you don’t like driving around with cash, your local gas station may offer the same discounted cash rate when you use a debit card.
The difference between the average price of a gallon of gas using a credit card can be anywhere between .05-.10 cents per gallon. While this may seem minimal, this difference in price can add up over the year, with even a few cents off per gallon adding up to hundreds of dollars annually.
Use Discounted Gift Cards
Some suppliers sell discounted gift cards, which can be a great way to reduce the cost of your gas purchases. When you combine finding the cheapest gas prices with discounted gift cards, you can significantly reduce the cost of filling up your tank.
Earning free gift cards is even better. Some online sites offer small-value gift cards in return for taking surveys or sharing your opinion on products.
Take Advantage of Rewards Programs
Rewards programs are also a great way to maximize fuel savings. A rewards credit card may offer points or rewards back when you use them at certain gas stations.
Some grocery stores also have fuel rewards that offer you a few cents off per gallon when you spend a certain amount with them per month or year. Some gas stations even have loyalty programs that can offer you lower gas prices in return for being a loyal member.
Gas rewards programs can add up quickly and help offset the high cost of gas expenses. However, remember that many of the best credit cards with fuel rewards also come with an annual fee. You’ll want to compare the benefits with the costs to make sure it’s a good financial decision.
Plan When to Fill Up
According to gas price tracking programs like GasBuddy, gas prices fluctuate based on the day of the week.
Gas prices are usually calculated based on demand, so filling up at the gas station on Monday or Tuesday is likely to get you the best price. The worst day of the week to buy gas is Thursday as people prepare for their upcoming weekend plans.
The demand schedules may also vary depending on location and time of the year. For example, holidays may affect the best days of the week to buy as people prepare for summer road trips or vacations.
Choose Regular-Grade Gas
Gas prices also vary based on the type and grade of fuel you buy. Regular gas is the cheapest option, whereas mid-grade costs slightly more. Premium gasoline is the most expensive and has the highest octane levels, with a rating between 91-94.
Octane refers to your vehicle’s fuel stability level. Higher octane levels, like those found in premium fuel, offer higher compression ratios, which is especially important in high-performance vehicles.
If your car requires premium gas, you should avoid using regular or cheap gas since that can affect its performance and overall condition. However, if you have a vehicle that doesn’t require premium fuel, you can opt for the cheaper option to save money.
Higher-octane fuel also often contains fuel additives which means your car will run cleaner. However, despite popular myths, premium fuel doesn’t actually clean your engine.
Schedule a Rideshare
Carpooling or scheduling a rideshare through a service like Uber or Lyft can also help you save on gas costs. If you and a friend are going to the same place, you can save money on gas by splitting the costs.
Rideshares also save your vehicle from wear and tear, which can also be costly. If you and your coworkers live in the same neighborhood, consider carpooling every day to and from work with each person assigned to a single day.
Plan Your Driving Directions Ahead of Time
Planning your driving route ahead of time helps improve your fuel efficiency. You can save gas by avoiding streets with a lot of stop signs or red lights.
Driving the shortest distance to your destination also reduces your fuel consumption, leading to gas savings. Some mapping programs can even advise you on which route is the most eco-friendly by requiring less fuel.
You can also pair this option with using gas comparison apps. Check for the cheapest gas stations in your area when you need to fill up, and then plan your route based on that. Over time, you’ll likely learn which gas stations on your route tend to have the cheapest prices.
Roll Down the Windows
Your fuel efficiency decreases when you turn on the air conditioning. You can sometimes get better gas mileage by skipping the air conditioning and rolling down the windows instead, especially if it’s cool outside. If it’s a hot day and you need to use the air conditioner, make sure the windows are rolled all the way up so you’re not wasting energy.
There is some debate as to whether blasting the air conditioning or driving with the windows down leads to less fuel efficiency. Using the air at a high level for a long time draws energy from the engine.
But, driving at higher speeds with your windows down also adds more wind resistance to your vehicle. A good compromise is to use the air conditioner when driving at faster speeds and opt for rolling down the windows when city driving at lower speeds.
Although your car’s heater uses less energy, it does also have an effect on your fuel efficiency. Maximize your fuel by only turning on the heat when you really need it.
Choose an Energy-Efficient Vehicle
Some vehicles use more energy than others. For example, if you drive a gas-guzzling truck, you can expect to pay higher gas prices.
Sports cars often require premium gas, which means you’ll pay more with each stop at the gas station. To maximize your vehicle’s fuel economy, consider choosing an electric vehicle.
A fuel-efficient vehicle isn’t just better for gas purchases. One of the biggest financial advantages of choosing an energy-efficient vehicle is that you may also qualify for tax discounts, which can save you even more money.
Today, you can opt for a hybrid vehicle that uses both fuel and battery power, or you can go a fully electric route to avoid fuel altogether.
Go Easy on the Gas Pedal
Fast acceleration leads to more gas consumption. You can maximize your vehicle’s fuel economy by gently pressing on the gas pedal when driving and then slowly coming to a stop when at a red light. Accelerating slowly still gets you where you need to go, it just uses less gas to get there.
Fill Up Your Tank at Each Stop
It may be tempting to only fill your gas tank halfway. You won’t have to spend as much right now, and you can look for better prices for the other half of your tank.
However, when you don’t completely fill up, there’s a higher chance of condensation getting into your fuel tank. Too much condensation can lead to lower fuel efficiency.
Reduce Your Speed
When you increase your vehicle’s speed, you experience more aerodynamic drag, which can reduce your gas mileage. With rapid acceleration, your vehicle’s wind resistance also increases, requiring the engine to work harder.
This will also reduce fuel efficiency. Aggressive driving, like going over the speed limit or swerving in and out of traffic, can lead to wasted gas and potential traffic violations. Your driving habits can lead to lower or higher prices when it comes to gas costs.
Keep Up With Preventative Maintenance
Certain preventative maintenance tasks optimize your vehicle’s performance, which also helps with gas mileage. This includes things like motor oil changes, tire rotations, and air conditioning recharges.
This also includes taking your car in for immediate repairs when necessary. For example, you may need to schedule an appointment if your vehicle no longer has cold air, as this may indicate that it’s also less fuel-efficient than usual.
Secure Your Gas Cap
Failing to secure your gas cap after leaving the gas station can also waste fuel. Broken gas caps also reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, making it important to repair or replace them as soon as possible. Some people even invest in a locking fuel cap, which keeps your expensive gas where it belongs.
Check Your Tires
Keeping your tires properly inflated is also important when it comes to fuel economy ratings and gas prices. When your tires are properly inflated, it leads to less wear and tear on your vehicle’s mechanical components. The engine doesn’t have to work as hard, which allows you to save on gas.
To keep your tires properly inflated, you probably want to aim for a tire pressure that’s somewhere between 32-35 PSI. To find the exact preferred tire pressure for your vehicle’s make and model, be sure to check your vehicle owner’s manual.
Use Cruise Control
Activating your vehicle’s cruise control can also help maximize your fuel efficiency. Cruise control is especially useful when navigating even terrain with a consistent speed limit, such as in your own neighborhood. The cruise control feature in your vehicle is a great option to save gas when city driving.
However, it may not be ideal to use cruise control when navigating hilly terrain. The vehicle may adjust the gas pedal too frequently to accommodate the inclines and declines, leading to your vehicle actually using more fuel.
Reduce Your Vehicle’s Weight
Heavier vehicles use more gas. Reducing your vehicle’s weight may help battle rising gas prices. While you may not have much control over your vehicle’s frame or tire weight, you can remove things like tire racks when they’re not in use. This also includes unhitching and storing your trailer at home when you don’t need it.
Buying gas doesn’t have to break the bank if you keep up with things like routine maintenance and repairs. Adjusting your driving habits, comparing prices, and conserving your car’s energy can also help you save when it comes to gas. With some planning, you can keep more of your hard-earned money in your bank account and not let your ride drive you straight to the poor house.
Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer with more than three years of experience covering personal finance and insurance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including car insurance and property insurance. Her byline has appeared in dozens of online finance publications, like The Balance, Investopedia, Reviews.com, Forbes, and Bankrate.
