How to Save $500 a Year on Gas - 27 Tips and Tricks
May 14th, 2007
With gas prices rising to an all-time high, motorists are looking everywhere for some kind of relief. Indeed, the local price per gallon is often included in the nightly news, as it affects everyone’s lives. Fear not, frugal drivers, as the following 27 tips and tricks will help you save at least $500 a year on gas.
Fuel-Efficient Driving
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Buy a Compact Car
Blame rising gas prices on the SUV industry’s recent slump in sales. If you buy the smallest car possible that can still fit your needs, you will easily save money on gas. -
Learn to "Drive a Stick"
Not only are vehicles with manual transmissions less expensive than automatic ones, they use less gas. Depending on the car’s condition and how it is driven, a stick shift should be about 5-15% more fuel efficient than an automatic. -
Set the Cruise Control
Using the cruise control can save gas, provided you are on a straight road. So, when you reach a long stretch of highway on your next road trip, set the cruise control and conserve some money. -
Gently Accelerate and Brake
Aggressive drivers not only put lives at risk, they burn through more gas than a calm, defensive driver. Always gently apply pressure to the accelerator and allow plenty of room to brake. This practice is not only fuel efficient, it also saves your vehicle from wear and tear. -
Don’t Leave the Car Running
Leaving your car idle for too long is wasteful when it comes to gas. While it is more practical to keep your car running for a minute rather than using fuel to reignite the engine, long waits should be made with the vehicle off. -
Don’t Speed
Taking off too quickly and over accelerating a car wastes a lot of gas. Not only will speeding result in unnecessary fuel costs, the citations aren’t cheap either. -
Use the Overdrive Gear
You should always drive in the highest gear possible, provided you have gently accelerated to that point. Doing so will use less gas to maintain that speed. The overdrive gear on both automatic and manual transmissions is the most fuel-efficient of all, as the engine will run slower while it is in use.
Car Maintenance
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Change the Oil
As a car engine experiences wear and tear, the fuel efficiency suffers. Always change your car’s oil every 5,000 miles, if not sooner. Regular oil changes and tune-ups will save you money in the long run. -
Tighten the Gas Cap
Gas evaporates from a tank that isn’t closed properly. Always make sure your gas cap is tightly closed after you fill up. If the cap doesn’t fit snugly, buy one that does. -
Run the A/C Wisely
Turning your car’s air conditioner off will save gas, provided you aren’t traveling at high speeds with your windows down. While a leisurely drive with the windows down is fuel efficient, doing so on the highway isn’t aerodynamic at all. Instead, it will cause resistance and require more gas to maintain the high speed. -
Clean the Air Filter
A clogged air filter is bad for your engine and, as a result, will affect the car’s fuel economy. By regularly replacing your air filters, your vehicle will be up to 10% more fuel efficient. -
Keep the Tires Balanced
A car with properly aired tires will run smoother and use up to 6% less gas than one with under inflated or uneven tires. Check your tires’ pressure regularly and have them rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. -
Travel Light
Don’t overload your vehicle with too much weight, as it will only require more fuel to make the car move. Excess weight can be caused by too many passengers, a crowded trunk, or even the installation of large speakers.
Buying Cheap Gas
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Fill Up in the Morning
Not many people know this, but gas is a liquid that expands and contracts, depending on its temperature. By filling up your tank in the coolest part of the day, you will actually be getting more gasoline for your money, as it will have contracted overnight. -
Buy on Tuesday or Wednesday
Gas prices are elevated in the latter part of the week in anticipation of the weekend rush. As such, you should buy your gas earlier in the week, but not too early. Weekend prices still linger at many stations on Monday morning. -
Choose the Lowest Octane
Check your car’s manual and see what the minimum octane is for your car to run properly. Use that octane, as it will be the cheapest without doing damage to your engine. -
Comparison Shop Online
There are several popular Web sites, such as GasBuddy, that offer comparison charts of gas prices in your neighborhood. Provided you have time before you leave the house, check to see where you can buy the cheapest gas on the way to your destination. -
Ask Locals
If you haven’t had time to comparison shop for gas before you leave the house, you may want to ask a few locals where the best gas prices are. This is especially handy if you are in an unfamiliar area. -
Watch the Evening News
The local news will often mention what gas prices are doing this week. Regardless of if they are up or down, the news will sometimes mention which gas stations are the highest and lowest in the area.
Gas Rewards Cards
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Chase PerfectCard MasterCard
Chase offers the PerfectCard MasterCard as incentive for people with good credit who want to save on their monthly gas bills. It is an extremely flexible card, offering a 3% rebate on gas bought from any station. With an introductory APR of 0%, this is both a convenient and frugal choice. -
Discover Platinum Gas Card
The Discover Platinum Gas Card offers cash rewards for gas purchases, as well as non-gas purchases. These cash bonuses never expire and can be doubled if redeemed in the form of a gift certificate. This is a great way to turn your gas expenses into a positive. -
BP Visa Rewards Card
Chase’s BP Visa Rewards Card offers cash rebates for many gas and travel-related purchases. Keep in mind, however, that the cash rebates will only be honored for gas purchased at BP stations.
Alternative Transportation
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Invest in a Hybrid Car
Driving a hybrid car is a great way to save money on gas and help the environment. However, this solution for fuel inefficiency is itself quite expensive. While not the most frugal choice in the beginning, this is a practical investment for the long run. -
Buy a Bicycle
For traveling short distances, you will be doing your wallet and waistline a favor by using a bike instead of a car. Buying a bicycle is a small investment to make for alternative transportation. -
Commute by Train
Taking the train to work or school cuts commuting costs considerably, especially if you are used to traveling into the city and paying for tolls and/or parking. -
Catch a Bus
Public transportation is convenient and very cheap, particularly bus rides. However, this option is only viable for those within city limits. Commuters from the country may not have convenient access to public transit systems. -
Carpool
Carpooling with co-workers and peers is a favored method of saving gas throughout the week. Ask around at work or school to see if there is already a carpool organized. If not, it shouldn’t be hard to find a few interested participants.
Saving money on gas can be as simple as how you accelerate your car, but other cost-cutting measures take a little more effort. If you take the above tips and tricks into account, you should be able to save $500 a year on gas, maybe even more. However, it takes a dedicated frugalist to beat the rising prices at the pump.
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