Economic Endeavors

Tips to Save on your Gas Bill

The price of gasoline has never been higher than it is now – increasing demand and limited supply has had a cascading effect on how people spend, how they travel, how they shop for gas. If you’re looking to save more than a dollar or two on your gasoline bill, here are a few tips:

• Search the Internet for the cheapest places close to you to buy gas.
• Use gas rebate cards which credit a portion of what you spend on gas to your credit card bills. But make sure you pay back your entire balance every month as gas rebate cards come at a higher interest than regular credit cards. Also, some gas cards are brand-specific, so you may have to drive out of your way to use the card. Check all these factors before you buy one.
• Fill up your tank each time you visit the gas station to avoid frequent trips.
• Buy low octane gas if your car’s engine supports it.
• If you happen to hear whispers in the wind about an imminent price hike, fill up before the rise takes effect. Sometimes, prices are raised around holidays.
• Buy gas during the coolest part of the day.

You can kill two birds with one stone with these pointers - drastically reduce your gasoline bills and contribute your bit to protecting the environment:

• Walk or cycle to work if it’s just a couple of blocks away.
• Car pool with people who live close to you.
• Take public transportation where available.
• Go green and buy hybrid cars. You also gain tax advantages.
• If you must have a regular car, buy one that’s not a gas-guzzler and gives you good mileage. Or choose a model that runs on diesel – it’s much cheaper than gasoline.
• Check your tire pressure – the right amount increases your mileage.
• Open the windows if it’s a cool/warm day and give your air conditioner some rest – you’ll see a marked difference in your gas consumption.
• Reduce strain on the engine by not loading your car with junk simply lying around. Clean the tires of snow or mud.
• Good driving habits contribute to saving a gallon or two on your gasoline consumption – drive smoothly and not in fits and starts, switch off the engine instead of idling at traffic signals or in traffic jams, and plan your route so you don’t end up searching for locations and wasting precious fuel in the process.
• Make sure your gas tank is closed tightly to prevent gasoline from evaporating.
• Park your car outside the direct glare of the sunlight whenever possible.
• Keep your air filters and injector nozzles clean. Paper filters work better than reusable ones.
• Synthetic motor oil is good for your car because it brings down the friction on your engine and improves mileage.