Whether you drive 20,000 miles a year or 5,000, everyone wants to save money at the pump. However, you don’t have to buy a new car to get better fuel efficiency. Regardless of the make and model, your vehicle’s estimated gas mileage is just that – an estimate. How you drive, fuel and maintain your car are important variables when it comes to getting the most of what you put into your tank. The following tips will increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and help with saving on gasoline in the process.
Fill Up Your Tank First Thing in the Morning
All service stations store their gasoline in underground tanks. As with all matter, gasoline expands when it’s warmed and becomes denser when it’s cool. Therefore, if you purchase gasoline in the afternoon or evening after the sun has warmed the ground, you’ll get less gas in your gallon than if you had refueled that morning, when the ground temperature was still low.
Fill Up Slowly
While getting gas probably isn’t your favorite activity, trying to speed up the process could actually reduce your gas efficiency. Applying pressure to the gasoline nozzle to fill your tank as quickly as possible turns some of the gas into vapor. All pump hoses are equipped with a vapor return that sucks vapor back into the holding tank. That means you’re charged for the gas that comes out, it vaporizes, and never actually enters your car — meaning you get less gas than you’ve paid for.
Don’t Wait Until You’re On E Before Filling Up
Gasoline begins to evaporate when it comes into contact with air, which is why gasoline storage tanks have a floating roof that serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere. Driving around with an almost empty tank makes the remaining gas evaporate more quickly. Fill your tank whenever it drops below half-full for optimal fuel efficiency.
Stay at the Speed Limit
Fuel efficiency usually decreases rapidly above 50 miles per hour (MPH). According to the U.S. Department of Energy, each 5 MPH you drive over 50 is like paying 14 cents more per gallon of gas.
Keep Your Tires Inflated
Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that properly inflated tires can improve mileage by up to 3.3%, while under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 0.3% for every 1-psi drop in pressure. It’s especially important to check your tire pressure when the temperature falls. Experts advise that tires can lose 1-2 pounds of air pressure for every 10-degree drop in temperature.
If You See the Tanker Truck at the Gas Station, Turn Around
When the fuel truck refills the station’s storage tank, it can stir up any contaminates already present, such as sludge, water and dirt. If you fill up now, you will likely get contaminates with your gasoline, which affects both performance and efficiency.
Making the Most of Your Reimbursem*nt
Every drop of gas (or lack thereof) adds up when you’re an mobile worker who is constantly on the road. Practicing these tips can help ensure you get what you pay for and you’re maximizing your reimbursem*nts.
Alexis Reed is a Director of Strategic Operations with Motus, LLC. Learn all about the benefits of the Motus App and more as Alexis shares tips for new users, increased productivity and more!
FAQs
You should be pumping on the slow or medium modes, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return.
Is it better to pump gas slow or fast? ›
You should be pumping on the slow or medium modes, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return.
How to get gas if you're broke? ›
The requirements vary among organizations, but you are likely to find at least one program to assist you.
- Salvation Army Gas Vouchers. ...
- Non-Emergency Transportation (N.E.T.) ...
- Helpforgas.com. ...
- Saint Vincent de Paul. ...
- Catholic Charities. ...
- The 2-1-1 Program. ...
- Additional Options. ...
- Wheels to Work Program.
For debit card users, even when they are using the card like a credit card, they must still have that amount in the bank account.
What is the best time to put gas in your car? ›
It's an excellent idea to visit the gas station early in the morning and late in the night when it's cold outside. The weather is cool, and the tank has reached its reserves. Fuel expands with an increase in temperatures, and the hot conditions reduce its energy-generation power because the fuel burns at a higher rate.
What day of week is best to buy gas? ›
Buy Gas on Monday or Tuesday
Be strategic about the days you fill up at the pump. “For gas, Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fill up your tank as demand is lower at the beginning of the week,” Anderson said.
How to get the most gas at the pump? ›
Cardenas Auto Group Official Blog
- Fill Up Early. Gas expands and contracts about 1% for every 15 degree change in air temperature. ...
- Avoid Delivery Times. ...
- Don't Top Off. ...
- Tighten Your Gas Cap. ...
- Pump a Little Slower. ...
- Use Regular Gas.
The Salvation Army offers free gas vouchers and transportation to low-income individuals and families. You'll need to apply for the program and provide proof of need, which may include doctor's appointments and household income.
What to do if I'm out of gas and have no money? ›
Call a friend
If you're on your way home from work or school and have friends or family nearby, you can call them and ask them to help you. They can take you to a gas station, where you can buy and fill a five-gallon container of gas—which should be plenty to get you back on the road.
What can I use if I ran out of gas? ›
Call for Roadside Assistance
- 24-Hour Service. If you are a member of a 24-hour roadside emergency assistance program, contact customer service to coordinate roadside assistance.
- Phone a Friend. ...
- Call a Tow Truck.
Fuelcredit is a platform that allows pre-registered users/subscribers buy and pay for fuel (with own money) at partner filling stations without the use of physical debit cards /POS. It also allows qualified credit customers buy fuel on credit to pay later at an agreed time.
Why did I only get charged $1 for gas? ›
You're filling up your tank with gallon after gallon of expensive gas with a credit card that may later get declined. The gas station doesn't know the final amount of your purchase when it approves your credit card. So the gas station runs a $1 preauthorization charge through your card as a placeholder.
What is the easiest gas card to be approved for? ›
The best easy approval gas credit card is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card. It's relatively easy to get approved for this card even if you have bad credit, and you will enjoy a $0 annual fee as well as rewards that include 1 - 3% cash back on purchases.
Is it better to fill your tank full? ›
When you leave your gas tank partly full — especially for an extended time — it allows for dirt, rust, sediment and other pollutants to build up in your tank and mix with the gasoline. These debris can flow into your fuel lines, straight up to your engine! Yikes. That is some costly damage right there.
Is it better to fill up a gas tank when it reaches half or almost empty? ›
The less fuel in your tank, the greater the risk of running out completely in a bad spot. While different experts have different suggestions, it's typically agreed that drivers should refuel their vehicle when they have anywhere between a quarter of a tank or half of a tank left for maximum efficiency.
What time of day is gas cheapest? ›
Fill Up in the Morning or Late at Night (Temperature Matters) Filling up your gas tank in the morning or late at night might save you a few bucks over time. This is due to how temperature affects the gas stored at the pump.
Does pumping your gas slower do anything? ›
“It's not going to matter how quickly or slowly you pump the fuel into your vehicle,” she explained to 10 On Your Side. “You're still going to get the same amount of fuel because the air is going to be forced out of your tank as the fuel goes in.”
Is it better to go faster or slower low on gas? ›
SLOW DOWN
When trying to save gas, there is no “need for speed.” The faster you drive, the less likely you are to make it to the gas station. At 45-55 miles per hour, vehicles are the most fuel-efficient. Drive slow and steady. Just drive the speed limit and try to relax.
What speed is best for gas? ›
Midsize conventional gasoline cars achieve their best fuel economy at 55 mph. The fuel economy of midsize conventional diesel cars declines gradually from 45 to 55 mph and then drops quickly thereafter. The midsize hybrid electric vehicle loses efficiency more evenly between 45 and 75 mph.
What is the best speed to drive to save gas? ›
Optimal efficiency can be expected while cruising at a steady speed and with the transmission in the highest gear (see Choice of gear, below). The optimal speed varies with the type of vehicle, although it is usually reported to be between 35 and 50 mph (56 and 80 km/h).
