How To Beat The Gas Pump Monster
Rising gas and oil prices each year mean that the average driver, who travels
approximately 15,000 miles each year in a car that gets about 20 miles to the
gallon, will pay more at the end of the year for his gas costs.
Every time that the price of gas goes up at the fuel pump by 10 cents the
cost of the average drivers gas consumption will rise by about $75 over a
year.
This article will give you some tips, guidelines, and basic advice for helping
you reduce the amount of money that you spend each week filling up your
vehicle.
I will also provide you with basic gasoline and vehicle
information as well as provide you with numerous tips and suggestions for
saving money at the gas pumps as well driving more efficiently.
Some of the topics we will cover include:
• Fuel economy
• Using the Internet to find cheap gas
• Where and how to buy your gas
• Where to find the lowest gas prices
• The importance of maintaining your vehicle
• Taking care of the tires on your vehicle
• Gas saving products
• The importance of EPA fuel economy ratings
• Tips on what to look for in your next car.
• Winter driving tips.
• Warm weather driving tips.
• Commuting encouragement.
• How to drive smarter.
• Current state average gas costs.
• Useful links to websites.
After you have finished reading this article you’ll have all the tools and
information that you need to start saving money today.
There will be some ideas that may not apply to you at this time but when
you purchase your next vehicle, you will find that you have access to smart
money saving tips for reducing the amount of money that you spend driving
your vehicle.
The information in this article is current with gas prices and statistics today.
Some of the information will vary for you personally depending on what
type of vehicle that you are driving, as well as the age of your car.
If you are driving a newer vehicle you’ll find that your car is already
extremely fuel efficient. However you can still apply most of the gas saving
tips found in this article to your own pocketbook.
1)Energy Technology and Fuel Economy
Only 15 percent of the fuel that you put into your car gets used and the rest
of the energy is lost for many reasons. It is important to maintain your car
and have an understanding of how your vehicle operates.
If this information is foreign to you, you may consider taking a basic
mechanics course to gain some knowledge.
2) Know Your Car
If only 15 percent of the fuel that you pay for gets used that means that you
need to be absolutely certain that the condition in which your car is running
is as efficient as it can be.
In addition to a mechanics course you may be able to find fuel saving tips
that are available through a small mini-course at your local college.
3. Shop around
You can try to shop around in your local area for the cheapest gas that you
can find but you shouldn’t go too far out of your way to try and get that best
price unless you’re already traveling in that direction anyway.
Once you start driving around looking for the gas pump that can beat the one
in your neighborhood you start to increase the amount of money that you
spend on your driving expenses.
Since your goal is to save money you would be defeating the purpose by
driving around for too long. Studies done by the AAA indicate that it will
cost you approximately 80.1 cents per mile to drive your car this year.
Keep in mind that the IRS will only allow a deduction of 50 cents per mile
so driving too far to get the cheapest gas isn’t always cost efficient.
While you are driving to a location that you would normally be going
anyway you can of course keep your eyes open for the cheapest gas.
4.Make your trips count
If you know of a certain gas station that consistently sells lower priced gas
and it’s out of your way you might want to consider making a weekly or bi-
weekly journey to this destination.
This way you can take a day to get gas, buy your groceries, and take a walk
in the park within a different area of the city where you live. In effect, what
you are doing is multitasking and saving money on your fuel costs at the
same time.
5. Paying for your gas the smart way
One of the ways that you can save money at the gas pump is by using a
gasoline credit card. When you have a gas card you’ll be able to get 5 or 10
percent rebate back on the purchase of your gas.
This can amount to as much as $75 to $300 each year. If you have multiple
drivers in your family you’ll want to make sure that every car driving person
carries a gasoline credit card with them so that you can take advantage of
multiple gas sales.
Many gasoline companies are joining up with other retailers to give you
numerous savings at the gas pump.
You’ll be able to not only save on your gas purchase, but you’ll be able to
earn points towards your next purchase with participating retailers.
6. Buy your gas in the morning or evening
Gasoline becomes denser in colder temperatures. Gas pumps are set to
measure the volume of the fuel that you pump and not the density.
Gasoline becomes denser in colder temperatures. Gas pumps are set to
measure the volume of the fuel that you pump and not the density.
7. Use the Internet
Using the Internet to find the lowest gas prices is a great way to have all the
information that you need before getting into your car to fuel up.
There are several sites on the Internet that will help you find the cheapest
gas in your area.
One of these sites is GasBuddy. GasBuddy has all the information for both
the United States and Canada to help you find the lowest gas price on the
day that you are filling up your gas tank.
GasBuddy has over 170 websites that it uses to get you the recent best
prices.
The price of gas is always changing so having the latest information is going
to save you money over a period of time.
There are times that the price of gas will vary by up to 20 percent within a
short radius so it’s important to you to stay current with the lowest price of
gas.
The information provided by GasBuddy is quite comprehensive. For
example, after indicating that you live in the Washington state area you are
directed to sites for Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane.
Choosing Seattle gives you the following information: (1) lowest price in the
last 48 hours, (2) gas station name and address, and (3) time the last price
was posted.
Choosing Seattle gives you the following information: (1) lowest price in the
last 48 hours, (2) gas station name and address, and (3) time the last price
was posted.
www.GasBuddy.com/
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