From the archives - This article was originally published in the summer of 2007 while very high gasoline prices were common. Prices may have come down from their record highs, but gasoline costs still represent a hardship for many families. Despite the fact that this list is several years old the tips are no less valuable today than when the article was first published.
18 tips for spending less at the pump
Gas pump at a station in Lodge Grass, Montana. Fall of 2009.
Gasoline prices continue to hover near record highs with no relief in sight. Even the US government, always quick to encourage spending and waste, has begun advising consumers to conserve fuel. Many of us are beginning to seriously look at ways to save money on gasoline this year. Most Americans will find themselves spending well over $2,000 this year for gasoline with some spending much more ($3.00 per gallon/20 MPG/15,000 miles per year = $2,250)
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to high gasoline costs. The best way to save on gasoline is with a comprehensive approach. By utilizing several techniques together it is possible to see significant savings over the course of the year.
- Park the car. Consider ways to not drive at all. This may sound simplistic, but if you can walk, bicycle, carpool, or take public transportation you can significantly lower your gasoline costs. Not only does this save gasoline but it also saves wear on your car. You may also consider finding a job closer to home or explore telecommuting options.
- Plan ahead when you need to go out. Coordinating trips between family members and making all of your stops on one trip can represent significant savings. Just eliminating two or three five-mile trips each week can save you $200 over the course of the year.
- Fuel up with a credit card that offers rebate points. Some credit cards offer cash back incentives on gasoline purchases. Over the course of the year this can add up to several tanks of “free” gasoline. Unfortunately, some gas stations are beginning to charge extra for credit card purchases so that would eliminate the savings. This also only represents a savings if you are able to pay the balance on the card during a grace period.
- Don’t buy higher octane fuel than your car needs. Some cars require high-octane gasoline, but most cars will run fine on regular gasoline. Running fuel higher in octane than is necessary just wastes money. It will not make your car run better and is unlikely to increase your gas mileage enough to justify the cost.
- Avoid idling your engine. Letting the engine run for 30 seconds before starting a trip is enough to warm the engine. Cars burn as much as one quart of gasoline every 15 minutes while idling. That amounts to more than three dollars per hour to idle your engine.
- Maintain your car to save money on gasoline. A poorly-maintained engine will use as much as 25 percent more fuel than a well-maintained engine. A clean air filter can increase your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Upgrading from paper air filters to reusable air filters like those offered by K&N may save even more fuel.
- Check your tire pressure regularly. Low tire pressure will decrease your gas mileage as well as shorten the life of your tires.
- Consider purchasing fuel at membership stores in your area. Some stores offer members discounts of several cents per gallon.
- Consider purchasing a diesel engine if you are planning to replace your car soon. Diesel engines usually get better fuel efficiency. Additionally, many areas have biodiesel available at a reduced cost.
- Consider purchasing a hybrid when you replace your car. Hybrids boast impressive fuel economy and may allow you to qualify for significant tax credits.
- Consider purchasing a flexible fuel vehicle when you replace your current vehicle. Flexible fuel vehicles can operate on alternative fuels like E-85 (an 85 percent ethanol formulation). These alternative fuels are often far less expensive than gasoline. I have seen E-85 for one dollar per gallon less than gasoline at the same station!
- Streamline your cargo. Remove excess baggage from the cargo area to lighten the vehicle. Also, remove ski and luggage racks when not in use. The extra wind resistance can significantly reduce your gas mileage.
- Park in the first parking space you find. Driving around the parking lot trying to find a closer spot wastes fuel. Besides, most of us can use the exercise of walking a few more feet!
- Use synthetic motor oil in your engine. Synthetic motor oil increases fuel economy by reducing friction in the engine. Check with your mechanic before using synthetic oil though as some older cars may leak with the lighter-weight oil.
- Maintain speed when you are driving. Cruise control can increase your fuel economy on the highway. Slowing down in traffic while trying to anticipate traffic patterns ahead can significantly increase your fuel economy in city driving. It takes far more fuel to bring a car up to speed from a stop than to accelerate from a slow speed.
- Slow down. Driving 55 MPH increases your gas mileage by 21 percent as compared to driving 65-70 MPH. Increasing your speed 5 MPH is equivalent to paying an twenty cents per gallon for fuel.
- Consider downsizing to a more efficient vehicle. Do you really need the SUV or full-size car? It may be far less expensive to rent a larger vehicle on occasional when necessary than to maintain and drive a vehicle that is larger than you need on a daily basis.
- Relax and drive responsibly. Aggressive driving decreases your gas mileage by 33 percent! Not only does aggressive driving cost you a lot of money in gasoline, it also increases your likelihood of being ticketed or involved in a crash. Save some money (and maybe your life) by driving responsibly. You will not arrive at your destination any faster by tailgating the driver in front of you.
No single solution will make all of the difference in your gasoline expenses. However, taken together, these 18 steps can save you a lot of money at the gasoline pump.
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