The last few years took a toll on the economy and gasoline prices. According to AAA, since last year, the average gasoline price throughout the nation increased by more than $1.50. Gasoline consumption analytics state that the war in Ukraine against the Russian invasion is the main cause for rising prices. Ten percent of crude oil produced in the whole world was coming from Russia. And now, as that country is getting deserved economic sanctions, the United States is going to adjust to the changed oil supply. Americans have to be united and learn how to save fuel, analytics say.
Most of the steps required to learn how to save on gasoline are pretty simple. But some require a change of habits. Let’s learn together how to be wiser in gasoline consumption.
Keep the Correct Tire Pressure
Underinflated tires are harmful in many ways. It impacts an engine’s work, and brake performance and tires tend to wear out if underinflated. They also make your vehicle consume more gasoline due to increased efforts required from the engine.
Read how to maintain your tires in our article.
Remove All Unnecessary Weight From Your Vehicle
The heavier your car, the more gasoline it will require to maintain the same speed on the road. Try relieving your vehicle from all unnecessary baggage. Especially don’t drive with the roof or bicycle racks if you are not planning to use them on your trip.
Air Conditioning Requires Gasoline
Use air conditioning wisely. When the weather and speed of driving allow it, open the windows. A flow-through ventilation system can be a good substitute for air conditioning during mild weather. Some air conditioning systems have re-circulate options that you can use, This feature reduces the amount of gasoline conditioning will consume.
Save the Money on Gasoline by Using Apps
The best way to monitor gasoline prices is to use special smartphone applications that update all the necessary information about gas and service stations. Some apps may even help you in your travels around the country.
Most of the applications let you search for appropriate gasoline stations, sorting by prices, distance, and reviews. Usually, they come with a GPS assistant that will lead you to the destination by the most convenient road.
Gas Buddy app, available for android and iOS, for example, allows a driver to monitor their fuel consumption, and search for the best deals in the vicinity. The app will send notifications when new, profitable deals would come up, with the address of a gasoline station.
Gas Buddy is now in the top ten travel apps and it is partnered with lots of popular gas stations like Shell, Wawa, Speedway of Chevron.
In the application, you can search for a specific type of gasoline or diesel. Locations would show up on the map, so you can easily follow the navigation while driving. And probably the best feature is the cashback, that you will get from each refuel.
AAA mobile is a multifunctional smartphone app for travelers. It provides you with up-to-date information about gasoline and service stations and offers you the best insurance deals. You can also find information about hotels, restaurants and other necessary travel services.
Google Maps or Waze can also be good applications to find gasoline deals since they tend to update price information as well.
Overall, using these apps is a good decision when it comes to learning how to save on gasoline. Never rely on the prices you see on billboards of gasoline stations located on main roads and highways. Prices are lower on stations located further away from major highways, but to locate them easily you’d have to use mobile apps.
Prices Vary Between States
If you drive or live near the border, check recent prices in both states. Most of the time, one state will have a higher price than another. Recent surveys show that the Southeast and Midwest regions of the USA have the lowest prices, while Northeast and West prices are rising up.
For Each Station – According Way of Paying
After you refueled the beloved vehicle, don’t rush to pay. First check which way of the payment method the station offers is the most rational. Some gasoline stations prefer you’d pay in cash rather than using a credit card, offering lower prices in return. The difference sometimes can be up to one dollar per gallon.
Some credit cards provide the cashback that can come up to a good amount of savings. There are also gasoline credit cards from specific oil companies that work only in their stations. It is better to count how much you’ll save when choosing a card for refueling, and decide the best solution for yourself. Some gasoline stations offer fuel rewards programs to customers, don’t be afraid to learn more about different offerings.
Driving Habits Can Save You Money
Car experts say that driving slower than seventy-five miles per hour can reduce the amount of consumed fuel by almost twenty percent. This works with highways and long rides.
If you’re a city driver, be gentle with the gas pedal. The slower you accelerate, the less fuel your car requires to get the engine pumping.
When you have to drive uphill, don’t push the speed, let your car slow down and go through the hill gently. When you’re going downhill, you can let your car gain some speed, don’t try to stop it if the road safety allows it.
Let go of the gas pedal in advance when you see that there is a stop required up ahead. Letting your vehicle slow down gradually without pushing on the brakes suddenly can reduce fuel consumption. By applying the brakes only in the last moments of your stop you’ll save some fuel. Just make sure to be in full control of your vehicle and the situation on the road.
Turn off your engine if you expect your vehicle to stay still longer than one minute. Idling consumes the gasoline as well.
Cruise control is a great feature to save gasoline on highways and long rides. Keep in mind that cruise control is only effective on a well-maintained road with a flat surface.
Driving Has To Be Planned
Sometimes there is just no real reason to use your vehicle. People got so used to driving fast and coming back home, that they forgot how good it is to just walk sometimes. Or maybe take a bus, a train, or get your legs working on the bicycle. Choosing other means of travel in some situations is not only good for the environment but your own finances too.
If you really require your vehicle, plan your travel. It may sound silly, but knowing what road you’ll use, and monitoring traffic jams can significantly save you money and time. This is why using smartphone apps, google maps, or just recent road reports is important.
Combining your errands into one day of riding is also a fantastic habit. Sometimes things can wait, and life can be much easier if we take it patiently. Try planning your errands and small trips into one ride, and you’ll be surprised how much time and finances can be saved.
At Least Once a Year Do a Maintenance Check-up
All of the parts in your vehicle require energy and fuel one way or another. Keeping those parts healthy and properly functioning will surely save you a lot of trouble and expenses. Checking up all of the vehicle’s systems at least once a year is a must-do for every car owner. Both you and your wheels have to be healthy.
