Although gas prices are not at the all-time high we saw just five years ago, they still are not affordable for many Americans. With car travel still being our number one way to get to work, to visit family, or to travel for education, enrichment, or entertainment, it can start to become extremely difficult to afford to get anywhere. Sometimes it seems as though gas prices are dropping – but we can’t exactly “stock up” when the prices are down. Stuck dealing with the fluctuations as they come, how can anyone truly budget for their monthly transportation bill? We put together this guide for driving smarter so that you can handle the hurdle of high gas prices – no matter how bumpy the roller coaster of price changes gets along the way.
1. Stop warming up your car in the winter.
Newer model vehicles made in the last 20 or so years do not require the extended warm-up times like older model vehicles used to. Letting your engine idle for more than one-minute wastes gas, meaning you’ll be filling up more often. Just a single minute is all you need to get your engine “ready to go”. If you have trouble with the windows being iced over, use an ice-removing spray and a scraper, and dress warmly, so the cold car doesn’t chill you to the bone.
2. Know where to find the cheaper gas.
If you live in a metropolitan area, you’ve probably already figured out that the cheaper gas is in the suburbs or the rural areas nearby. If you can, arrange your schedule so that you are always filling up on trips out of the city. Depending on how far a suburban or rural area is from your address, it may even be worthwhile to drive out just for gas. And always take advantage of the lower gas prices when you happen to be in one of those areas. Go ahead and top off your 75% full tank while you’re in a place where gas is cheaper. Additionally, you should typically avoid gas stations that are located right by the highway or by a very popular shopping area – you’ll pay more for the convenience.
You can also use your smartphone to help you with this. There are several smartphone apps that can find the cheapest gas around you with just a click. Try using something like GasBuddy, Fuel Finder, Gas Cubby, or AroundMe, to find the best prices nearby.
3. Carpool
It’s an old tip, but it works. Carpooling saves everyone gas money because you’re all sharing the cost. If you are already going the same way, it can be a massive help with gas expenses. You can choose to switch cars to share the maintenance costs or work out an arrangement where the passenger pays slightly more to offset the maintenance costs that the driver is shouldering – or whatever works for you. Carpooling isn’t just for work, either. Consider arranging a carpool for grocery shopping with friends who have a similar work schedule as yours, or carpool with other moms to pick up the kids from school.
4. Know the right time to buy gas.
Did you know that there are better times of the week and the day to buy gas? There are two reasons for this. First, gas typically is cheaper on Monday and Tuesday. By the time Wednesday rolls around, gas stations are already starting to raise the price for weekend drivers. Try not to buy gas on the weekends if you can help it; that’s when prices are the highest.
The second thing to consider is the chemical properties of gas itself. Did you know that as gas gets hot, it gets less dense, which means you actually get less of it per gallon? So if you get your gas when it is cool (such as early in the morning before the sun has come up), you are getting more gas per gallon, so your gas will last longer. It won’t make a huge difference, but every little bit counts!
5. Drive efficiently.
There are several ways that you can change your driving habits that can actually make a huge difference in your gas consumption. Here are just a few:
- Drive a little slower and don’t accelerate as quickly. The key is to decrease drag, which eats up fuel.
- Don’t drive with the windows down. This increases drag, which again causes more fuel consumption.
- Don’t ride the brakes. If you can brake less often by leaving more space between yourself and other traffic, you’ll waste less gas.
- Leave the A/C off as much as you can. This is one of the biggest gas guzzlers in your vehicle. Try parking in the shade, or rolling the windows down just a crack so that air circulates better. This small amount of drag is better than the A/C when it comes to gas consumption.
6. Keep your car in great shape.
Did you know that the state of your car can have a significant impact on how efficiently it uses fuel? Be sure that you have your car tuned up, are using the proper engine oil, have clean filters, and have properly inflated tires to ensure that the fuel consumption is as efficient as possible. It’s also important to change out of snow tires as soon as you can in the spring because these cause more friction on dry surfaces, which wastes gas.
7. Plan your routes more efficiently.
One thing that you can start doing immediately to save on gas is to start doing more of your errands on the same day. Rather than grocery shopping on Saturdays, hitting the bank on Monday evenings, and doing another errand on Wednesday, try planning a day to get as much done as you can. Then plan out your route so that you aren’t doubling back at any point. Try to choose the route with the fewest stop lights or stop signs – the less braking required, the more gas you’ll save. Even if you aren’t going the shortest route, it may be the most efficient in the long run.
8. Buy a fuel-efficient car.
While hybrid cars are still making waves as a new technology for some, many have embraced these cars for the gas savers that they are. Many hybrids can get up to 40 miles per gallon now, which is a considerable increase compared to a standard family car that might get around 15 or 20 miles per gallon. If you are concerned about driving on an electric charge and wondering how you’ll find a place to charge a car when you live in a rural area, don’t worry! Hybrids can still use gasoline without needing the electric charge, just like a regular car. And you’ll still get the amazing fuel efficiency using them as a standard car. Plus, you’ll have the ability to charge and run on electricity when you do end up near a charging station.
9. Use a gas station loyalty card.
There are many gas companies out there that offer loyalty cards that will allow you to earn discounts. It may not be much, but if you always stop at the same gas station by your work or home, it’s worth looking into. Try to choose a gas company that has many locations all around your state or region.
These few tips may vary from saving hundreds every year, to just saving a few bucks here and there – but it all adds up! Use these tips next time you are facing a gas price hike to stay on the road.
