10 Smart Ways To Save On Gas For Your Car

According to AAA, the average American household spends an estimate of $1,500 per year on gasoline. If you are on a tight budget, this is an expense that you could save on. Boosting your car's fuel economy can be achieved through simple steps like where and when you fill up, how you pay, how you drive, and how you maintain your car. Here are 10 easy yet effective ways to save on gas.

1. Plan all your errands in a single trip

Combining all your to-dos in one trip will avoid repeat drives into town. So before heading out, plan your trip. List down where you are going in order of their proximity so you avoid backtracking and crisscrossing the city. Not only will it save you gas, but it can also help you save on parking fees. You can walk if the locations you are heading to are within walking distance of each other.

2. Expect traffic

In real-world testing conducted by Edmunds.com, aggressive driving i.e. high cruising speed, rapidly accelerating and changing lanes, and braking sharply hurts your gas mileage and efficiency the most.

Unnecessary stopping and starting due to heavy traffic can be a real gas guzzler. If possible, try to schedule your commute to avoid sitting in traffic. Leaving an hour late or an hour earlier can make a huge difference so you do not get caught during rush hour.

If there is no way to escape traffic, driving like a sane person can increase your fuel efficiency and help you save up to 38 percent on gas. Slamming on the brakes not only wastes gas but will also wear out your brake pads more quickly. Keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front of you will lessen the need to brake as compared to tailgating. You can also start breaking early, like when approaching an intersection or heavy traffic.

3. Schedule your visit to the pump

The day and time you fill your tank can save you a few bucks. Schedule your visit to the gas station on a Wednesday or Thursday before 10 am. Gas prices usually go up about 10 am on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel. Unless it's an emergency, avoid visiting the gas station on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Moreover, try to gas up early in the morning or late in the day. Especially during warm weather. Gas is cooler and denser when temperatures dip. This means you get more for the same price as compared to filling up during midday where the temperature is at its peak and gas density falls.

4. Make the most of your smartphone

Check for gasoline prices via websites and apps through your phone. This way, you know which stations in your area offer cheaper fuel. Apps like GasBuddy, Fuel Finder, and Gas Cubby will help you find the cheapest gas.

Be sure to look for the cheapest gas station that is along your normal routes. Like the ones located on your drive to work or grocery. Also, make it a habit to refuel even before your tank says empty. This way, you avoid filling up on wherever is the closest. Lastly, when going on road trips, check where gas prices are lower throughout your route as prices vary significantly across state lines.

5. Don't let the engine idle for too long

Avoid unnecessary idling. Studies have shown that idling for ten minutes can use up to a quarter liter of gas. If you want to warm up your car, 30 to 60 seconds is enough time. Idling your car for more than a minute wastes fuel. Newer cars don't need the same extensive time to warm up like the older car models. If stuck in heavy traffic, turn off your engine until traffic is about to move. Running your engine will waste more gas than restarting it. Also, use your remote starter sparingly. Though it provides convenience, it can result in starting your car too early and idling your car much longer than necessary.

6. Do the proper maintenance

Keeping your car in tip-top shape uses less gas. Follow your car's maintenance schedule and you can save up to 15 cents more per liter on fuel. Some car maintenance you should do regularly to keep your car as efficient as possible are:

Car engine tuneup. A tuned engine uses less gas. Keep your car manual in your glove compartment so you can follow your maintenance schedule.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Your car manual has the recommended psi for your tires. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage and affect braking and tread life of your tires. If the air in your tires is not at optimum, their rolling resistance is dramatically increased and takes more gas to get anywhere. Properly inflated tires reduce friction and increase mileage. If you keep your tires to the proper pressure, you can improve your gas mileage by as much as 3.3 percent.

Use the correct motor oil. Only use the recommended motor oil for your engine. Using the wrong motor oil can damage your engine or cause it to work harder. If you are unsure of which type to use, check your car manual or check online.

Clean your filters. If you live in a metropolis, it is a good habit to check your car filters regularly. Clean filters can increase your gas mileage by as much as seven percent.

7. Remove unnecessary junk from your car

For every 100 lbs you store in your car, you are lowering your gas mileage by one to two percent per tank. Lightening the load of your car by removing stuff you lug around in the trunk can save you gas money.

8. Join a Fuel Rewards program

Grocery chains and gas stations across the country now offer fuel rewards program in a marketing bid to earn your loyalty. Each gas station and grocery store fuel rewards program has its own set of rules. So make sure to read up on the fine print to see if it's worth it. You can also get a credit card that gives you cash back or allows you to earn rewards points every time you fill up your tank. This is a good option if you are someone who travels a lot. Again, read up on the fine print so you know what you're getting into before diving in.

9. Use cash instead of a card

More often than not, gas stations charge a lower price if you pay in cash. This is because gas stations are charged a premium when you pay with credit or debit cards. The price difference is to offset the processing fees that they get from card transactions. Some gas stations will let you pay the cash price if you use a debit card, others won't, so be sure to check with the gas station before you fill-up.

If a gas attendant is filling up your car, double-check to ensure that he pressed 'cash' on the pump. You can lose five cents for every gallon if he pressed 'credit.'

10. Drive less

Ride-sharing and carpooling is nothing new. It's a great way to lessen greenhouse gas emissions from cars and save some money in the process. If you live near your friends and have a similar schedule, you can take turns driving to and from work. This way, everyone can drive less each week.

You can also consider walking, biking, or taking public transport to further increase your savings. Besides saving money on gas, walking and biking have health benefits too.