Gas prices may rise and fall, but fuel remains one of the biggest ongoing expenses for millions of American households. While you can’t control what happens at the pump, you can control many of the habits that affect how much you spend. Experts, including GasBuddy, say that small changes to the way you drive and refuel can add up to meaningful savings over the course of a year. Here are some simple fuel-saving tips that could help you keep more money in your pocket.
Use a Gas Price App Before Filling Up
Gas stations located just a few miles apart can have fuel price differences ranging from $0.20 to $0.50. Apps like GasBuddy, Upside, and Waze help you compare prices in real time so you can decide on the best option; you can save hundreds of dollars by always refueling at the cheapest stations and it will only take a few seconds of your time. GasBuddy says its app is a free crowdsourced mobile tool that relies on updates from millions of users to keep pump prices highly accurate.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
When tires lose air pressure, they create greater resistance while driving, requiring the engine to use more fuel to move the vehicle. You should check your car’s tire pressure at least once a month or before going on a road trip. Taking care of your tires will extend their lifespan and improve your driving experience. GasBuddy noted that tires will typically lose up to 1 psi per month, and pressure drops about 1 psi every 10-degree drop in air temperature.
Drive More Smoothly
You waste fuel when you accelerate suddenly and brake abruptly. The best driving style involves accelerating gradually and flowing with the flow of traffic. Additionally, driving in a relaxed manner reduces wear on your brakes and tires, whereas aggressive driving consumes significantly more fuel. GasBuddy commented that by avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking, you can lower your carbon footprint and even qualify for lower auto insurance rates.
Combine Multiple Errands Into One Trip
When a car engine is cold, it requires more fuel during the first few miles of driving; consequently, making several short trips a day consumes more fuel than a single, longer trip. By planning a route that covers all your errands, you will save money on the fuel otherwise spent repeatedly warming up the engine. GasBuddy noted that grouping your tasks into a single, circular loop allows your engine to warm up, drastically increasing your overall fuel efficiency and saving money.
Remove Extra Weight From Your Vehicle
When your vehicle is overloaded, the engine has to work harder; therefore, items like tools, sports equipment, and unused cargo that sit in your car for weeks shouldn’t be there. Organize your trunk and keep it clean to burn less fuel and make fewer trips to the gas station. GasBuddy revealed that all that “dead” weight can reduce your fuel economy by 2% to 5% for each hundred pounds.
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Avoid Excessive Idling
Long periods of idling waste fuel, even when the vehicle is stationary. Modern engines consume less energy when starting up, but if you are waiting in a parking lot with the engine running, you are still burning fuel. Besides that, reducing unnecessary idling also cuts emissions. GasBuddy suggests shutting off the engine if you’re stopped for more than 30 seconds, except in traffic because idling gets 0 MPG.
Stick to the Fuel Grade Your Vehicle Requires
A car’s design determines whether it requires regular unleaded fuel or another type of gasoline. If you use premium fuel when the owner’s manual doesn’t call for it, you might not be gaining any benefit; filling your car with higher-octane fuel does not improve its performance or fuel economy. Check the manual, as doing so could save you hundreds of dollars a year. GasBuddy revealed that the higher the octane number, the less likely your vehicle is to experience damaging “pinging” when towing, or accelerating hard. There is no difference in fuel beyond that.
Keep Up With Routine Maintenance
As you drive your vehicle, air filters get dirty and spark plugs wear out, which is why maintenance is necessary. Performing this service helps maintain your car’s efficiency; combined with an engine oil change, it ensures the vehicle operates at peak performance. Keep in mind that timely maintenance is cheaper than a major repair down the road. To avoid wasting money, GasBuddy advises to schedule engine tune-ups and oil changes indicated on your owner’s manual.
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Avoid Rush Hour When Possible
Driving in stop-and-go traffic consumes more fuel than driving at a steady flow on the highway. You could adjust your schedule by 20 or 30 minutes to avoid traffic congestion or use navigation apps to find a route with less traffic; spending less time stuck in traffic means consuming less fuel. According to GasBuddy, stop-and-go patterns can lower your gas mileage by up to 40% in heavy traffic and up to 30% on the highway.
Join Grocery Store Fuel Rewards Programs
Many grocery store chains offer fuel discounts based on your purchases. Meanwhile, warehouse clubs offer low pump prices to their members. You can also accumulate points over time to earn monetary discounts. It doesn’t take much effort to adopt this habit. In some grocery stores, you can use the GasBuddy+ card to earn $0.30 savings per gallon for every $25 you spend on non-fuel purchases.
Reduce Highway Speeds Slightly
Aerodynamic drag is high when accelerating on the highway, leading to increased fuel consumption. To counter this, driving at 65 mph instead of 75 mph will significantly improve your fuel efficiency on longer trips. The secret is maintaining a steady speed rather than driving faster. GasBuddy presents the “Drives” feature where you can track your speed, acceleration, and braking patters inside the app.
Use Cash-Back or Fuel Rewards Credit Cards Responsibly
When you fill up on gas, some credit cards offer high cash-back rates, and warehouse clubs also provide discounts for their members. To save money, you should keep your credit card balances paid off and check the service fees for each card before choosing one. GasBuddy offers two main avenues to earn cash back and fuel rewards. One is from the shopping rewards program, and the other is by paying with the GasBuddy card.
Bigger Picture / Why It Matters
There is no magic way to cut fuel costs, but by combining these smart habits, you will save a significant amount of money. Through adjustments to your driving style, a maintenance routine, and strategic refueling, you can improve your overall finances in this area. Even when fuel prices fluctuate, you can still benefit by following this approach.
