Tips to Save Money on Gas | Royal Moore Mazda
Gas prices have been on the rise across the country, and it doesn’t appear that they will be dropping anytime soon. Since you aren’t getting a pay raise at work, you need to figure out how to save money on gas. Let’s take a look at six tips that will help you save money on gas.
Tip #1: Pay with Cash
Many gas stations have both a cash and credit price for gasoline. They are doing this to help avoid fees related to credit card processing. So, in an effort to encourage customers to pay with cash, gasoline is offered at a lower price if paid in cash.
By paying with cash instead of a credit card, you can save an average of $0.05 to $0.10 per gallon of gas. While this may not sound like a lot, these savings will add up over time.
Tip #2: Join a Fuel Rewards Program
There are numerous grocery stores and gas station chains that offer fuel discounts to turn into a loyal customers. The benefits of these fuel rewards programs will vary from one company to the next, including how much you’re able to save and the amount that must be spent to qualify for the rewards.
ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP fuel rewards programs will save you up to five cents per gallon. Kroger offers a program that will save you 10 cents per gallon of gas.
Do the research in your local area to find out which companies and stores offer fuel rewards programs and compare the savings to save the most.
Tip #3: Use an App to Find the Lowest Gas Prices in the Area
Rather than driving around looking for the best price on gas, download a gas app on your phone and use it to compare prices in your area. Try to find gas stations with cheap gas on routes that you normally take so you aren’t using additional gas to get to the cheapest gas station. Also, you should avoid letting your tank get too low, as this may force you to get gas at whatever gas station is closest rather than finding the cheapest gas. Using the gas app will save fuel and time, as well as money.
Tip #4: Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Believe it or not, your tire pressure has a direct impact on how much fuel you use. When your tires are underinflated, your gas mileage is reduced. By ensuring your tires are properly inflated you can improve your fuel efficiency by roughly three percent. At current prices, the savings can be considerable.
To determine the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle’s tires, check the owner’s manual or the sticker in the driver’s side door jamb. In some cases, there may be a sticker inside the glove box as well.
Tip #5: Reduce AC Use
Your air conditioner is your best friend during the warmer months of the year. Unfortunately, it can wreak havoc on your fuel efficiency. In fact, fuel efficiency can be reduced by about 25 percent when the AC is used during the summer, especially on shorter commutes.
While you won’t want to completely stop using your air conditioner in the summer, there are a few things you can do to minimize fuel waste. First, avoid turning the AC on until you’ve started driving to reduce strain on the system. Find a comfortable temperature and fan setting and avoid setting them to the max. Roll down the windows and turn the AC off if you’re idling.
Tip #6: Maintain Your Vehicle’s Engine
The health of your engine plays a considerable role in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. When your engine is not performing optimally, it can result in reduced fuel economy by about four percent. Some engine issues can reduce mileage by as much as 40 percent.
So, aside from saving on gas, a well-maintained engine will extend the life of your vehicle and prevent the need for expensive auto repairs.
While you can’t completely escape soaring fuel prices, you can take the aforementioned strategies and implement them to save some of your hard-earned cash. Give us a call at Royal Moore Mazda to schedule maintenance on your vehicle.
