Recently gas prices have dropped but, that doesn’t mean that saving money on gas is any less important. Any amount of money you can save is important. There are several ways that you can bring your gas prices down even farther. Here are some of my favorite ways to save when filling my gas tank:
Discounted Gift Cards
Buying discounted gift cards can help rack up the savings when it comes to filling your gas tank. You can go to sites like Gift Card Granny, Raise, Card Cash and Gift Card Wiki to buy your discounted gift cards. These are basically like getting free gas!
Drive Nicely
Believe it or not, the way you drive determines partially how your vehicle uses its gas. If you gun it when the stop light turns green and slam on the breaks coming up to red lights that will hinder your gas mileage. Easing up to red lights and slowly getting things moving when the light turns green will help to extend your gas mileage.
Reward Cards
Many gas stations are still offering gas rewards. Whether they have joined forces with local grocery stores or, are offering their own rewards these are fantastic ways to save on gas. If you aren’t sure about rewards offered at your favorite gas station you can either ask them or look online.
Your Phone
Check Traffic
Checking traffic right before you walk out the door or before you start your car can help you avoid traffic backups. Sitting in bumper to bumper traffic eats your gas really fast so if you can avoid it that will help your gas mileage.
Apps
Checking apps like Gas Buddy and AAA Triptik will help you find the best gas prices in your area. There may only be a few cents difference but, a few cents saved is better than nothing.
Don’t Idle
Idling for more than a minute or two uses way more gas than it does to shut the car off and turn it back on. Obviously idling at a stop light isn’t avoidable but, if you are in a place where you can shut your car off, it is best that you do that.
Pay Correctly
They are few and far between these days but, some gas stations still charge separate prices for paying cash versus using a credit or debit card. You might be wondering why they would do this. The answer is simple. It is because the debit card and credit card companies charge the gas station a fee to accept these payment types. That fee is passed on to you as a customer with a higher gas price. If you are at a place where an attendant fills your car up for you, check and make sure that they have chosen the correct form of payment.
Maintenance
Making sure that your car is up to date with all of its maintenance will give you the best gas mileage possible. The two biggest culprits for wreaking havoc on your gas mileage are the air filter and the tire pressure. If the air filter is dirty or tires are under (or over) inflated it will mess with your gas mileage. Not to mention other issues those things could cause.
Time Your Fill Ups
Take notice of when stations in your area change their prices. If you aren’t sure, call and ask. They can tell you when they do it. Gas prices have a sneaky ability to go up slightly just before the weekend so fill up earlier in the week to save a few cents.
Use the Right Gas
Check your owners manual or ask your mechanic what type of gas your car runs best on. While the manual may say to use a higher octane fuel, your car may run just fine on a lower octane. That alone could save some money over time.
Be Fussy with Where You Fill Up
Convenience is huge. I completely agree but, that gas station that is right off the highway likely has a more expensive price. Many stores are offering their own gas stations but there again, their price may actually be more expensive than driving a mile or two (even with their rewards). This is where the apps that I mentioned previously come into play.
I hope that some or all of these tips are helpful for you when it comes to saving money on gas. With a little bit of planning your savings will add up and every little bit counts. Why not get started now.
