How to Save At the Gas Pump
by Judy Sheldon on Nov 13, 2007 with 41 Comments
Tired of being robbed at the pump? Over a dozen tips to help you get your money’s worth.
Remember the days when friends could gather loose change and get enough money to buy gas and ride all night, or when families would go for a Sunday afternoon drive? Now families are struggling to put gas in their tanks to get back and forth to work.
The Federal Trade Commission offers some of these tricks to getting more gas for your money, and getting further on the fuel in your tank.
- Fill your tank earlier in the morning. The colder the ground the denser the fuel. Warmer gas expands and you get less for your money.
- Use the trigger at a slower mode, as the highest mode increases vapors and decreases the actual amount of gas going into your tank, but not what the pump is registering.
- It is better to fill your tank, when it is at the halfway mark, because there is less air in the tank.
- If the gasoline truck is loading the storage tanks, it may not be a good time to fuel up, as the sludge that normally settles on the bottom (of the storage tanks) may be pumped into your tank.
- Drive at or below the posted speeds. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds over 60 miles per hour.
- Avoid unnecessary idling. If you have to sit and wait for an extended period of time, turn the car off.
- Drive gently avoiding jack rabbit stops and starts, as quick stops and starts can burn up to 5% more gas.
- Using your overdrive gears and cruise control on the highway can save 2% on gas consumption.
- A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance which can increase gas consumption by 5%.
- Another extra 2% can be burned by carrying an additional 100 pounds of weight in the trunk.
- Improve gas mileage by 4% by keeping your engine tuned properly.
- Properly inflated and aligned tires can improve mileage by 3%.
- Clean air filters can make as much as a 10% difference in your mileage.
- Combining trips can save considerably in gas and time.
- Be aware of advertised “gas-saving gadgets”. Most do not work as advertised.
- For more information regarding alternative fuel vehicles call 1-800-423-1DOE or visit fueleconomy.gov.
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Published in: Consumer Information
Louie Jerome | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Some good tips here, I will pass them on. (Lizzie)
Judy Sheldon (-Walker) | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Thanks, Lizzie, for the comment.
IcyCucky | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Thank you for these great tips, Judy.
Judy Sheldon (-Walker) | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Thank you for the comment, Icy.
Peter | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
#9 should say *decrease* not *increase*. Extra resistance gives worse mileage.
twiddler | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Best way to save gas is to add 3 onces of pure acetone to 10 gal of gas in your tank. Will save you 30%-40% on gas. Look it up
valli | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Excellent tips. Thank you very much for writing.
CHAN LEE PENG | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Dear Judy Sheldon,
We all have the same aims for writing and also willing to share our ideas, opinions, experiences and knowledge together. Therefore, it’s my pleasure to contribute ideas for all readers. I don’t mind spending so much time to find more info through reading useful books even though most of my articles are not “hit” like other authors. My purpose of writing is to help others to live healthily and happily. May you all have many happy reading moments! Best regards and wishes from me.
CHAN LEE PENG | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
In my article “10 types of easily tempted or influenced females”, I do not mean to all females that have those characteristics, I just pointed out some of the common females’ weaknesses that we all may come across in our society. Congratulations! You are not one of them.
I do enjoy your writings and appreciate your hard works. They are great! And I really salute to you for being a very responsible and industrious female. Take care, and wish you good lucks in whatever you do.
Anne Lyken-Garner | Nov 14, 2007 | Reply
Great article,thanks for the tips. I understood what you meant in number 9 anyway.
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 14, 2007 | Reply
Thank you Anne for your encouragement, and thank you again Chan Lee Peng.
Darlene McFarlane | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Great article Judy. A tip that I learned from my son-in-law is; when you are finished pumping and before you remove the nozzle from the tank, turn the hose handle upside down. The gun has a space that captures about a half a cup of gas when you stop pumping. Turning it upside down will put the gas in your tank instead of back into the pumps…you pay for it anyway.
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Thank you, Darlene, with gas prices the way they are 1/2 cup is substantial.
Nelson Doyle | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Beautifully written and informative article about increasing fuel mileage by thinking smart. This article should climb to number one in the Hot Content I predict.
I just submitted an article related to the same subject, but Judy Sheldon’s is much better than mine. I believe that just about anyone who must pay these incredibly steep gas prices are thinking the same thing “How can I squeeze an extra couple of miles from this tank”. I think that Judy Sheldon has covered most of the bases real well.
Congratulations on a hot article Judy Sheldon.
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 17, 2007 | Reply
Thank you, Nelson, for the encouraging compliments.
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
Hi Tracy – I hope I did not step on your toes. When I heard some of these tips and research pointed out others, I had hoped to help some people save money. Gas prices are ridiculous. I have copied your title so that I can read yours. Thank you.
Ruby Hawk | Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
These are good tips, and I need all I can get to save gas. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I filled mine up for $10.00 but those days are no more.
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
You are right, Ruby. Do you think we will ever see those days again? Thank you for reading and commenting.
Brooke | Nov 27, 2007 | Reply
Great article Judy, but I can’t drive yet cause I am 15. But it will be usefull later!!
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 27, 2007 | Reply
Brooke, you sound very mature for a 15 year old. Thank your for reading and commenting and God bless.
Brooke | Nov 28, 2007 | Reply
You are very welcome, Judy. And thank you for calling me mature, that is very nice. Thanks!
Brooke | Nov 28, 2007 | Reply
Isabelle died Monday.
Lucy Lockett | Nov 30, 2007 | Reply
A most interesting article! Prices are certainly up everywhere.
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 30, 2007 | Reply
Thank you, Lucy, for reading and commenting, and you are certainly right about that.
Enama¥ | Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the tips! Great article. Your all right, gas prices are up a hell of a lot…. Too bad you can’t drive at 13…
-¥
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
EnamaY, Sorry I do not have a key to duplicate the last character in your name. Thank you for reading and commenting on my article.
Your statement about driving at 13 – years of age or mph? Thanks and have a great day.
Jared Stenzel | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
Great article! I actually caught myself using these tips the other day and decided to come back and tell you that.
Brooke | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
Hello Judy!
Judy Sheldon | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
Brooke, I have missed you. Be sure and let me know what you write, and how to find it. I can’t wait to read your material.
b Rett | Mar 9, 2008 | Reply
Helz yeaahh my nizzle.
Liz | Mar 15, 2008 | Reply
Can you tell me your sources for tip numbers 1-4. The others are pretty standard gas saving information, but I have not seen these tips verified anywhere.
Also, there is an e-mail going around combining these four tips up with an old hoax e-mail about where to buy gas so as not to support terrorism. It is supposedly written by a worker at Kinder Morgan Pipeline in San Jose. That’s part of why I ask.
I hate getting caught up in false information! I’m sure you understand.
Thanks from San Diego, CA
Judy Sheldon | Mar 15, 2008 | Reply
Liz, I agree with you wholeheartedly and have declined from passing on many emails that I receive for that very reason. The first four were not combined in such an email but given to me by a retired gentleman who used to haul petroleum. I used to manage in a discount store and he shopped there. The old flirt always liked to stop and talk. lol
jeff | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
The early morning gas fill was basically debunked on NPR’s “Car Talk”. Actually there is theoretical truth to it, but they calculated the savings to be 0.001 cents!
Judy Sheldon | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Thank you, Jeff, for reading and commenting. Also, Jeff, have you noticed how gas stations always post their prices as 131.99 for example? What is .99, but a fraction away from the next penny?
Ross | Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
She didnt say on #9 that it would increase gas mileage by 5%. she said it would increase consumption by 5% which means it would use 5% more gas than it would if it were empty on top…geez. you people cant read. she was correct! Good article Judy.
Ross | Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Which means that its saying not to load up your roof rack.
Judy Sheldon | Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Ross, thank you for reading and commenting.
brandon | Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
this is how i drive everywhere i go. i accelerate slowly and cruise at 40 mph in the streets. when im on the freeway i go about 62mph. idont see what the big rush is, and plus i save WAY more gas driving this way.
also helps that i drive a stickshift honda :]
Judy Sheldon | Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
Brandon, I’ve heard that stick shifts are better on gas. I just never learned to drive one. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Take care & have a good day.
Jamie Myles | Apr 13, 2009 | Reply
Good tips Judy. Thanks for sharing them.
ThomasWest3 | Sep 29, 2009 | Reply
Excellent money saving tips.