With gas prices at an all-time high, affording fuel for your car so you can get where you need to go is becoming increasingly difficult. Although they are likely to fluctuate and could even go down slightly in the near future, they’re almost certainly
notgoing back to what we used to know. Here are 15 tips to save on fuel in your everyday life. Although none of these steps will cut your gasoline costs in half, taking several of these steps can give you some relief and save you money right now.
Fuel up on Mondays.
Gas Buddy recommends Monday and Friday as the
cheapest days of the week on average for gas prices. Avoid visiting the gas station on Wednesday and Thursday as prices are typically highest on these days
Pay with cash.
Often, gas stations will give you a slight discount per gallon if you don’t use a credit card since they also get to skip the card processing fees. Pay in-store with cash to save money at the pump.
Or pay with the right card instead.
Research credit cards online to find out which ones offer savings or cash back when it comes to gas. A 5% cashback reward at gas stations can be equivalent or even greater than your potential savings through paying with cash.
Get a store rewards card.
It doesn’t cost a cent and can only benefit you by having one to any of the gas stations you regularly frequent.
Shop around for the best price.
Hunt around for the cheapest price rather than sticking to one store only using apps such as
Gas Buddy or
Waze to help you find the cheapest option near you.
Use regular grade instead of mid-grade or premium.
Your car can run just fine on the cheapest type of gasoline. The only time you should purchase premium gas is if your manufacturer specifically requires it as written in your vehicle’s manual.
Remove what’s weighing you down.
Although it makes sense to leave supplies you
might need in the trunk of your car, you could be paying for it in your gas expenses. Even 100 extra pounds could be decreasing your fuel efficiency by a percent. Instead of keeping miscellaneous supplies around
, pack a car emergency kit to stay safe in the case of possible emergencies and a variety of extreme weather conditions.
Follow the speed limit.
Not only is maintaining a consistent speed safe for you and everyone else on the road, but it can also help you save on gas money by maintaining a higher MPG. Going the posted speed limit enables you to safely coast more often, which can help your mileage stay consistent. Consider using cruise control on relatively straight and flat stretches of road to ensure you stay under the speed limit, too.
Use AC on the highway and put your windows down on other roads.
Because open windows can increase the use of fuel due to wind resistance, it’s smart to use AC instead on these stretches of road. Otherwise, opt for AC off and windows down for the most fuel-efficient way to drive in warm weather.
If you have buses, trains, metros or other forms of transportation available in your location, take advantage of them as often as possible. Especially for long trips, these can save a good deal of money and worry on your part. Additionally, they are considerably safer than driving your own car. TorkLaw reports that taking public transit over driving your own car
reduces your chances of getting in an accident by over 90%.
Although this may require some planning and prep on your part, it can save you the cost of driving to just one store and immediately coming back.
Organize a carpool.
For your everyday trips to work or school, carpooling is a great way to consistently save you and your neighbors money on gas. It can also potentially save some wear-and-tear to your vehicle, extending its overall life.
Consider a hybrid if you’re in the market for a new car.
They are often considerably cheaper than electric models but still boast many of the benefits it holds over traditional gas—especially in terms of savings. Hybrid cars can switch between their electric batteries and gas motors while driving to use less gas and cost less overall. They don’t require you to charge or replace the expensive batteries that are found in fully electric cars, either. If you do purchase a new hybrid or electric vehicle to save money on gas,
reach out to your independent agent to alert them. They can ensure that you receive the coverage you need from Mutual Benefit’s range of auto policies tailored to your needs.
