Driving can be very convenient and fun. However, spending a lot of money on gas is never a good time. The sums drivers can drop into their tank seem just to keep climbing and climbing! Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks that can help many U.S. drivers same some cash on their gas!
Rethink Your Driving Habits
Believe it or not, one of the biggest influences on how much you spend on gas is…you! Well, how you drive! Certain bad habits can drastically impact how much fuel a car sucks up. Edmunds.com looked at how much bad drivers vs. good drivers spent on gas. They looked at a number of facts: rapid acceleration/deceleration frequency, cruising speed, brake time, etc. And guess what? A calmer driver will save up to 38% on gas each month!
Also, low tire pressure can kill your vehicle’s average miles-per-gallon. So make sure to check the stick on the inside of the car’s door, or its manual, and make sure to keep those tires filled!
Use Special Apps
Anyone with a working smartphone can start saving on gas this very second! First, going off the first tip, some apps will track your driving to see how safely you’re driving. So use the information to become a driver! Also, certain apps can give you some serious discounts. The best gas app, by far, is GasBuddy. It helps drivers track gas prices all over their location, helping them locate the lowest price closest to them. Using the app, drivers tend to save anywhere from 5 to 20 cents every time they fill up! That’s roughly $150 a year!
Take Advantage Of A Gas Rewards Card
Don’t want to open an app every time you need gas? Well then, why not look into a great gas rewards credit card? Some cards can give some serious rewards for filling up your car. Best part? There are even some options for those who don’t want another credit card! Join a warehouse club like Sam’s Club and Costco that sell gas to their members at a discounted rate. In some states, these warehouse clubs sell gas for 50 cents under their local competitors.
Stop Paying For Premium Gas
This one’s easy! A AAA report from 2018 says that drivers spend around $2.1 billion on the premium gas when it’s not required for their vehicle. Despite what you might have heard, most cars do not require premium gasoline and adding it won’t make your vehicle perform better. If you do have a vehicle that requires premium gas, the owner’s manual will say so. So, take some time and go through the owner’s manual. You might be spending a few extra cents per gallon when you don’t have to. And those few cents can add up…
Walk More
Yeah, yeah, we know, this recommendation seems outdated and boring. But you shouldn’t discard it as it’s better for both your health and the environment, in addition to your monthly savings. Walking more instead of driving can also help with weight loss, prevent heart disease, and take some inches off the waistline. Fumes released by cars also harm human health because of carbon monoxide. Moreover, they add up to air pollution and global warming that’s actively affecting planet Earth right now. So, don’t be afraid of some extra steps!
Sources: MSN, NerdWallet