Saving Money at the Gas Pump

Use these tips to help save money at the gas pump.

Is it me or has the price of gas sky-rocketed in the last few weeks? When I fill up my 4-door sedan all I see are dollar signs on the gas pump. I am fairly certain gas was not this expensive this time last year. So after just returning home from a road trip and more trips planned this summer I’m on a mission to save money at the pump. Here are some tips I learned that will hopefully help you save too.

• Shop Around. Check out gasbuddy.com where you search by state and then enter your zip code to find a list of gas stations in the area and the current gas prices. If no results come up, try the zip code next to where you live or one that you travel through on your way to work to find the best prices. GasPriceWatch.com does the same thing. If you’re on the go and need to find affordable gas, try the Droid Coupons app or one of the other dozen free apps available to find and compare gas prices.
• Travel Light. When traveling around town or across the country, keep the excess weight in or on your car to a minimum. According to the Federal Trade Commission, an extra 100 pounds in your trunk can lower your gas mileage by 2 percent. So plan your errands accordingly, save the “heavy” errands for the end of your day.
• Be a Good Driver. Avoid quick stops and starts. Not only is this easier on your car but it’s easier on your wallet. Follow the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases as your speed rises beyond 60mph.
• Regular Maintenance. Maintaining your car’s regular check-up schedule will help save money at the pump too. Regular maintenance can help detect problems, allowing you to be more proactive in cutting your costs rather than reactive.
• Plan Ahead. Plan each day to reduce the number of miles you have to drive. The less you drive the more money you save. Take advantage of carpools when available. Avoid driving during rush hour if possible. The stop and go of traffic is hard on your car and your wallet.

Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest auto travel holidays of the year and is just weeks away. Take note of your mileage now and do your part to reduce the number of trips you take and help your car run more fuel efficient.

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