Frugal Fill-Up
First, nothing will save you more money at the station than a fuel-efficient car. Large, heavy vehicles can burn up to three times as much fuel as small cars – and as gas prices rise, your wallet will groan with every extra pound. If it’s time for a trade in, seriously consider purchasing a car that was built to get good gas mileage. There may even be tempting tax breaks for investing in the latest technology. The following 29 additional tips will speed up your savings even further – print them out and keep them in your car as a daily reminder.
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30 Ways Your Frugal Self Can Save at the Pump
- Keep your tires filled with the right amount of air
- Keep your clutch adjusted
- Use the manufacturer’s suggested engine oil and maintain the level and cleanliness
- Choose the route with the flattest terrain and fewest stops
- Use your air conditioner sparingly
- Remove unused bike and luggage racks to make your car aerodynamic
- Keep the windows closed when traveling at high speeds
- Work earlier or later to avoid traffic jams and stop-and-go traffic
- Remove heavy objects from the car
- Bike, walk, or use public transportation whenever possible
- Turn the car off rather than idle (when appropriate)
- Don’t warm up new cars – most don’t need it
- Avoid traveling at fast speeds in low gears
- Drive the speed limit
- Use cruise control on the open road, when safe
- Accelerate slowly when leaving the stoplight
- Buy gas with the lowest octane rating (check the owner’s manual)
- Don’t rev your engine
- Arranging for carpools to share the cost of gas
- Avoid routes where construction work is being done since the stop-and-go will use up a lot of gas
- Use GPS to avoid getting lost and wasting gas
- Combine errands into one trip when it makes sense
- Use websites and apps that list gas stations with the lowest prices
- Drive conservatively and leave a buffer between you and the cars in front of you
- Don’t “top off” at the gas pump
- Don’t drive far out of your way to save a few pennies at another gas station
- Walk into restaurants instead of using the drive-through
- Avoid circling a parking lot to find a space that is just a little bit closer
- Ask your employer if they will let you work from home a few days per month
- Avoid gas stations near the highway as those prices tend to be higher than gas stations further from the highway entrance
Next Steps
When you are ready to take off on a new driving adventure, check out the resources we have for you here at PenAir: