Our Two Cents On How To Save Money On Gas

Roughly 90% of American households spend $3,000 on gasoline per annum, which comes out to nearly  $250 per month. And this is before the vehicle insurance costs, maintenance costs, etc.  

The bottom line is that it takes a substantial amount of money to ensure a safe commute for Americans. 

Then there’s the fact that the more you travel, the more you spend on gas — something which goes without saying, but its a worrisome scenario for people who travel several miles to and from their home every day.

The fluctuating gas prices put more fuel to the fire as economies suffer, and people end up having to choose between a meal tonight or a drive to work tomorrow.

These are tough times, and while gas prices have fallen to offer some reprieve to the daily commuter, it’s more complicated than ever for them to make ends meet because jobs are harder to come by. 

So until electric cars completely replace our current vehicles, and chagrining points are placed left-right and center, read on to know how you can save money on gas.

14 Ways Of Lowering Gasoline Expenses

What if we can tell you that you can bring down your gasoline expenses significantly?

It’ll only take a few minor tweaks to ensure that you don’t have to continue paying your hard-earned money for such a basic necessity. Here’s how: 

1 – Tune-Up The Engine

Car engines require regular tune-ups to ensure a smooth and safe driving experience. 

Interestingly, an engine that is properly tuned requires less gas to operate. So on your next scheduled service, get your engine checked and tuned correctly.

2 – Regularly Check On Your Tires

Did you know that bad tires can lead to an increase in fuel consumption? 

It’s simple; if the tires are under-inflated, the vehicle will need to work harder to compensate for it. Research from the U.S. Department of Energy states that 1.25 billion gallons of gas, i.e., approximately 1% of U.S. consumption – gets wasted every year because of underinflated tires. 

We are all guilty of not making up for the loss in tire pressure as seasons change and temperatures fluctuate. Make sure to check your tire PSI when there is a drastic shift in temperature or when your power steering feels heavier.

3 – Bike Or Walk To Near By Places

The math is simple – when you make fewer car trips, you need less fuel, and that equals money saved.

Additionally, riding a bicycle is a healthier alternative, and it can help you get stronger as you save money that would otherwise be spent on gasoline. 

Savvy money-savers also try to get more done in one trip. So they’ll let their outside chores accumulate and set aside a day of the week to get them all done in one go. This way, they don’t have to waste gas running individual errands, going to and from their home every time something needs to get done. 

4 – Get Gas Early In The Morning Or Late At Night

Did you know, when its warm, gasoline’s density falls, and you end up with less fuel, then you asked for. This is why you should get gas pumped either early morning or during the wee hours when temperatures are significantly lower. 

5 – A 30 Seconds Warm-Up Is Good Enough

In many parts of the U.S., waking up to a cold and snowy morning is nothing out of the ordinary. Before heading out for work or other activities, the standard measure is to warm-up the car for a few minutes, to avoid malfunctions on the way.

Stop doing that – your vehicle is good to go after a 30 to 60-second warm-up. Anything past that leads to wastage of fuel, also it’s terrible for the environment.

However, if you own an old car, you may have to go over the minute limit, as they do require the extra time to warm up sufficiently.

6 – Avoid Tailgating

Always maintain a safe distance between your car and the one in front. 

Not only does it make you a responsible driver, but it also gives you enough time to slow down and brake when the driver ahead of you decides to stop.

Had you been tailgating them, you would have to brake abruptly to come to a screeching halt to avoid bumping into them; this would have utilized a lot more fuel.

7 – Steady Driving

It sure is exhilarating to put that pedal to the metal and to turn that throttle all the way up – but it’s bad for the bank!

An excellent way to get better mileage is to pick a steady speed, something bright below the legal limit, and maintain it.

8 – Don’t Pop By Any Random Gas Station

It is not uncommon for people to drive their cars right up to an almost-empty gas tank – and then they end up at any station that’s the closest to them, to get gas.

Bad idea. 

Get your gas from recommended stations and the ones you have had a good experience with, as some stations may charge you more than the average rate per gallon. You won’t even know if they are thugging you out of your money. 

So make sure that you always have ample time to get gas at a trustworthy station. 

9 – Idling Is A No No!

Whether you are stuck in traffic or you are waiting for a friend outside his place — switch off the engine. 

It is terrible for the environment, plus it just wastes gas.

10 – Close Your Windows

For efficient performance, keep the windows down at all times to ensure that the aerodynamics are in your favor. It is also a good idea to remove bike racks and other mounts on your vehicle because these can increase drag and there your fuel consumption as well. 

Therefore, you should keep the windows shut when possible, and remove everything that you don’t use; soon, you will notice that the monthly spending on petrol has gone down.

11 – Change Oil And Oil Filter At The Right Time

If you take long trips or live near a sandy beach, check if the filter needs replacing. Also, use the right motor oil for your car, and get it changed before its due. 

This will ensure smooth operations of your engine, which in turn will lead to better fuel efficiency.

12 – Only Use The A.C. When Necessary

Driving on a hot summer day with the A.C. fully cranked up is like blowing money out of the exhaust.

The fact is, your A.C. requires a considerable amount of gasoline to run, so your best bet would be only to use it when extremely necessary. 

13 – Consider Buying A Car With Great Fuel Economy

Is your current car costing a fortune to upkeep and drive? Consider leasing a better, more fuel-efficient vehicle. 

Fuel efficiency is critical, especially if you often find yourself in a high-liege driving situation. It’s just plain common sense to look for a vehicle that is also cheaper to insure.

14 – Use Technology To Your Advantage

Gone are the days of fishing through paper maps to plan your journey; not only was it inconvenient, but it was all too common to miss exits and then drive for many miles to get back on track. 

Now there are many apps available on our phone to help plan our commute – there is no need to pull up and ask for directions. 

GPS apps, gas apps (to locate cheap gas stations nearby), radar detectors, etc., are a godsend for drivers.

All these innovations lead to less wastage and more driving in the right direction—which is the perfect way to save money on gas.

The Wrap Up

 From necessities to luxuries — costs for everything are increasing at an alarming rate. You have to have enough money set aside for a rainy day, as we have no idea how tomorrow may unfold. 

This is why you need to take preemptive measures and lower your expenses wherever possible.

The good news is that your gas expenses can be significantly reduced with a few timely and relevant measures, as mentioned above.

So get started and put the money to good use instead of letting it go to waste on gas.

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