How to Save Money on Gas

*This post has been reviewed by an Illinois Registered CPA. However, when making important financial decisions, it's best to speak with your financial advisor.

Last Updated on August 27, 2022

Learn How to Save Money on Gas

Does every trip to the gas station give you anxiety? If you feel you’re paying more and more on gas, you’re not wrong. We leave more money at the pump these days. It is not because we use more; prices are on the rise. But you can’t give up on gas, especially if you drive to work each day (even if you use uber or taxi, it still affects you).

Are you wondering how to save money on gas? There are several ways to pay less. You can cut down on your gas consumption, but you can also use other strategies to pay less. Explore them here.

How to Save Money on Gas When Prices Are Soaring

In March this year, inflation peaked at a high of 8.5%, according to the Consumer Price Index. Such growth has not been seen for more than 40 years. This year in March, gasoline prices were 48% higher compared to the previous year. In this context, many consumers are wondering how to save money on gas.

That is one of the expenses you can’t eliminate from your list. Driving to work is a necessity, as is shopping for groceries or running errands. You also need to meet friends and family who might live miles and miles away. You need to drive, and that costs money.

If eliminating the expense is not possible, you need to change something else. The answer is your driving habits. You have no influence over the gas prices, but you can choose when and where to drive. You can also choose the type of gas you use and the gas pump you frequent. All these choices, if wise, can help save money on gas. Here are a few driving habits you should adjust. Spending less on gas depends on it.

Organize Your Errands

Errands are one of the main reasons for driving. There are all sorts of things you must do, especially on weekends and in the evening. The way you plan your errands is important. It matters for your schedule and your wallet. You might tend to handle more errands on different rides. Combining them in one ride would help you:

• Be more efficient
• Save time
• Save money on gas

For example, go shopping in the morning and then combine all the rest of your errands in the same driving trip to make your commute more efficient. Try to schedule your activities without taking large breaks in between. This way, you avoid driving back home each time. You will also save time.

You can also try to squeeze some of your errands into your weekday schedule. You drive to work every day from Monday to Friday. Run as many errands as you can before getting back home. You’ll avoid spending money on gas on weekends. You will also have more time for yourself during those days.

Split the Gas Cost by Sharing the Vehicle

Carpooling might not always be possible, but you can look for solutions, at least for regular rides. You might commute on a fixed route Monday through Friday to and from work. Is there anyone near you who needs a ride in the same direction? Try to find that person or persons. Then, offer them a ride.

At the end of the week, you can also share the gas cost. That can prove very convenient for both or all of you. You could cut your gas expenses by 75% if you find three road buddies and split the gasoline cost in four.

You can even maintain your car better. That applies if you decide to switch cars. Each one of the persons involved in the equation can offer rides. Establish each driver’s turn and stick to a schedule. Here is what you can achieve with this strategy if your monthly gas cost was $250.

Current monthly gas cost	$250
Divide the cost by 4	$62.50 per person
Divide the cost by 3	$83.30 per person
Divide the cost by 2	$125 per person

If you find at least one road buddy, you pay only 50% of your gas bill per month. For a total of $250, this means paying $125 if you only commute to and from work and divide the bill in two. If you find three partners, you pay $83.30 per person and with three road buddies, you pay only $62.50 per month.

Change Your Driving Style

Are you wondering how to save money on gas? The answer depends not just on how often you drive. The way you drive is also essential. It is hard to change certain driving habits, but it is worth giving it a try. It can help you pay less on gas. It might even help you keep your car in good shape. The main habits that boost your gas costs are speeding and braking hard.

If you are the type of driver who does these things, you might want to recalibrate your driving style. Here are some tips to help you avoid accelerating:

• Leave home five minutes earlier, so you don’t need to rush. Driving fast means wasting more fuel.
• Always think of a time buffer when you need to be punctual, especially during peak hours.
• Make it a habit not to race to the red lights. Waiting a few seconds more won’t make a huge difference. Constantly rushing makes driving stressful and dangerous.

Also, try to avoid sudden braking, which can be dangerous. It can take the other drivers by surprise and make them hit your vehicle. Always maintain a reasonable distance between you and the car in front of you to reduce the risk of accidents.

Braking hard uses more gas and it can ruin your brakes over time, causing wear and tear to your tires. It takes time to shake this habit off, but with patience, you can do it. Coast whenever possible. You’ll avoid excessive gas consumption.

Driving in high gear also optimizes fuel consumption. Your engine will work more efficiently this way. The best range for your revs (revolutions per minute) is between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm.

Adjust Other Car-Related Habits

Except for your driving style, there are other car-related habits you can change. These will also help you curb your gas expenditure.

Don’t Overburden Your Car

The more weight your car needs to carry, the worse as it makes it harder for it to move, and it increases gas consumption.

Some cars have a roof box (a box attached to the vehicle’s roof). It is great for vacations, but you should give the roof box up as soon as you get home. Driving around with it on your car might not be necessary and can prove more expensive. It affects the car’s mileage and fuel consumption as it burdens the vehicle and increases its fuel demand.

According to Consumer Reports, a 2019 Nissan Altima sedan without a rooftop carrier gets 48 miles per gallon (mpg) while traveling at 65 miles per hour. When the rooftop is added, the same vehicle registers a loss of nine mpg and a drop of 19% in mileage.

Besides your cargo carrier or roof box, there are other car burdens to avoid, like anything you keep in your car or trunk that doesn’t need to be there. Inspect your vehicle and remove and unneeded items. It will help you save money on gas. For every 100 pounds your car carries, fuel economy decreases by 1-2%. Eliminating all the useless items will also mean a tidier car.

Change Your Air Filter

Inspect your car’s air filters at least once a year. If they look dirty and old, replace them. This will allow your engine to function easier. It will also help it consume less fuel. An air filter change is not a difficult replacement. It is not very expensive either. You can pay between $50 and $100 for this change. If you don’t know how to inspect the filter, take your car to the mechanic, where you can get a replacement.

Use the Air Conditioning Less Often

You might like to drive around feeling cool in the summer. The air conditioning is a necessity on hot days, but often, turning it on can become a costly habit. Try to use the AC only when you have to. It makes your car use more gas. Also, in the summer, try to avoid the hot noon and afternoon hours. Drive in the morning or later in the evening. You might not need the AC at all in this case.

Use Sun Reflectors

Yes, sun reflectors are useful. It only takes a few seconds to set them up. If you live in an area with hot summers, use them. The reflectors will maintain a decent temperature inside the car during warm days. As a result, you won’t have to keep the AC on for too long.

Check Your Tires’ Pressure

Many drivers forget to take care of their tires. Usually, we only do it when they need changing, but checking them is necessary for other reasons too.

Poorly inflated tires lead to higher gas consumption. To understand the ideal pressure level for your tires, check out the car’s manual. You can also find related information online. You can then inflate the tires at any gas station. Good tire pressure can help you save money on your fuel bill.

Try to Drive with the Windows Closed

Open windows also create too much drag, which reduces your car’s fuel economy. The higher the speed, the more drag open windows create. Try to keep them down when driving slowly. Close the windows if you drive fast on the highway.

By driving with open windows, you increase air resistance and can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 20%. This means you use more fuel. At high speed, air conditioning is a more cost-effective choice. It only increases gas consumption by 10%. Here is how these methods compare (in numbers) if your monthly gas cost is $300.

Monthly gas budget	$300
Driving in the summer with the windows down	One-month cost: $360 (+20%)	Three-month cost: $1,080
Driving in the summer with the AC on	One-month cost: $330 (+10%)	Three-month cost: $990

Let’s suppose your monthly gasoline budget is $300. If you drive with the windows down, you could pay $1,080 after three months. Using the AC instead lowers the three-month gas bill to $990, which is a difference of $90.

Shake off the Habit of Warming Your Engine

Older car engines usually need to be warmed up. You might have been driving this type of car for decades, which explains why you’re used to keeping it idle. Remember that newer vehicles don’t need to be warmed up anymore. You can stop your engine whenever the car stops. Then, immediately, start it when you need to resume driving. Keeping the car idle uses more fuel.

Take Care of Engine Maintenance

The engine needs regular maintenance, too. This part of your car needs regular oil changes. A clean-running engine is ideal if you don’t know how to save money on gas. It will use less fuel. Besides this, it will also create a lower level of emissions.

Tune up your engine to save money and reduce the car’s impact on the environment. When you change the oil, use a proper one for your car. The car’s manual includes information on the right oil to use.

Use the Right Type of Gas

Around 18% of cars need premium gasoline. Yours might be among them. Premium sounds promising. It might seem that you’re pampering your car, but if you’re car doesn’t require it, you are spending unnecessarily.

For most cars, premium gasoline doesn’t make a difference. You’re better off with regular gasoline. You can save some money at the end of the month with this choice. Check your car’s owner’s manual to see which type of gas is suitable for your make. Some cars can only be fueled with premium gas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I save money on gas fast?

The fastest way to save money on gas is not using it. In other words, not driving. If possible, try to use public transportation more often. If you live in a city with bike lanes or walking trails, consider walking or cycling. If you depend on your car, try to combine more errands into a single two-way ride to spend less on gas.

How can I save money on gas and car expenses?

There are several budgeting strategies you can use. Some of the most popular ones are

• The 50-30-20 budgeting method

With this strategy, you divide your budget as follows:

1. Half goes toward necessities.
2. A third is available for your wants.
3. The remaining amount (20%) goes toward savings.
4. The digital envelopes system

Digital envelopes are separate accounts or paper envelopes where you store money for different expenses (grocery, rent, education, etc.) Only use the funds in each envelope to pay for the related expense.

• The 60% solution

With this method, 60% of your gross income goes toward your committed expenses or necessities. The remaining amount is divided into four equal parts:

1. 10% for retirement
2. 10% for short-term savings
3. 10% for long-term savings
4. 10% for fun
5. The 80/20 budget rule

This strategy involves saving 20% of your income while using the rest for your necessities.

All these methods involve careful budget allocation. You divide your income according to your expenses. At the same time, you have a separate pocket for monthly savings.

With these methods, you’d have a strict budget for gas, one you cannot exceed. Plus, you’d have a savings account. This allows you to make investments or fix your credit as fast as you can. You can also use the half-payment method to put aside money for gas.

How much money can you save on gas each month?

You could save money on gas through different methods. Read more about the most popular ones above. For example, with three road buddies, you can split the gasoline cost into four equal parts and save up to 75% instead of driving alone and paying 100% of that price. The best solution to save money on gas might be to combine several driving and budgeting strategies. Here is a three-step plan to help you out:

1. Read the tips above.
2. Select those you think you can successfully implement.
3. Gradually apply each for a month or two weeks.
4. Use the strategies that best suit you in the long term.

How do I calculate my fuel cost?

One of the reasons why you can’t save money might be that you don’t calculate your expenses. Try to determine approximately how many miles you drive. You can calculate your fuel cost per week or month. There are different online calculators you can use to calculate the cost fast.

Sources:

Press, A. (2022, June 24). U.S. inflation jumped 8.5 percent in past year. AARP. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.aarp.org/money/investing/info-2022/inflation-consumer-price-index-increases.html

Arwood. (2020, May 18). Why does braking use fuel. Brake Experts. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://brakeexperts.com/why-does-braking-use-fuel/

7 driving techniques and other tips for fuel efficiency. Go Motors. (2019, May 31). Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://gomotors.net/blog/183/7-driving-techniques-and-other-tips-for-fuel-efficiency/#:~:text=If%20your%20speed%20varies%20by%20fifty%20miles%20an,at%20a%20given%20speed%20uses%20much%20less%20gas.

Guardian News and Media. (2011, March 12). Reduce your speed, reduce your petrol bill. The Guardian. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/mar/12/cut-your-speed-cut-your-petrol-bill

Neiger, C. (2009, June 23). Windows down or A/C on — which is more fuel-efficient? HowStuffWorks. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/hybrid-technology/driving-with-windows-down.htm

Jackson, B. (2011, May 6). The truth about tire pressure. FactCheck.org. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.factcheck.org/2008/08/the-truth-about-tire-pressure/

Linkov, J. (n.d.). How rooftop carriers affect fuel economy for cars and suvs. Consumer Reports. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/how-rooftop-carriers-affect-fuel-economy/

How to maximize your vehicle’s fuel economy. Union of Concerned Scientists. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-maximize-your-vehicles-fuel-economy

Mayersohn, N. (2019, April 11). Putting premium gas in an engine that requires regular? stop it now. The New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/11/smarter-living/premium-gas-worth-it-octane-summer-ethanol.html#:~:text=Only%2018%20percent%20of%20new%20cars%20require%20premium.,year%20using%20a%20gas%20that%20provides%20no%20benefit.

Price of gasoline up 48% in a year. CNSNews.com. (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://cnsnews.com/article/national/terence-p-jeffrey/price-gasoline-48-year