Fuel costs are on the rise across the world. Unfortunately, there is no telling when or if the price of gasoline will ever go down again.
That is why you should take it upon yourself to find other ways to save money on fuel instead of relying on oil companies to do the right thing.
Below are the top 10 ways to save money on fuel.
1) Don’t Buy Premium
Oil companies claim that premium gasoline has special additives which reduce carbon emissions and prolong the life of your engine.
However, the truth is that most car engines don’t need premium gasoline to stay functional for a long time. All they need is their oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Therefore, the easiest way to save money at the pump is to purchase regular unleaded rather than premium gasoline. Regular gasoline offers the lowest prices.
2) Use a Bike for Shorter Trips
You don’t need to drive your car on short trips to town. You could save money and protect the environment if you use a bike for short trips. And, as an added benefit, you will get the necessary exercise you need to stay healthy.
Don’t forget that short trips in a car will also wear down the engine and consume more gasoline unnecessarily.
So, unless you have to haul something big from a local retail store or grocery store, you are better off riding your bike to local destinations.
3) Buy an Electric or Hybrid Vehicle
Electric vehicles have become very popular over the last decade. Many electric vehicles are hybrids that use both an electric motor and a gasoline engine.
The electric motor reduces the amount of gasoline needed, especially when taking slower and shorter trips around town.
So if you still want to use your car on short trips, an electric or hybrid vehicle is the best choice because you’ll consume far less fuel that way.
4) Use Mobile Apps to Find Cheap Fuel Prices
You may notice different fuel prices at various gas stations. Some gas stations have lower prices than others.
The best way to find the cheapest gas stations is to use mobile apps, such as Waze or GasBuddy. They can track the fuel prices of all the local gas stations in any particular location.
Just look for the gas station with the lowest prices and go to that one the next time you need to fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank.
5) Buy a Vehicle with a Four-Cylinder Engine
Some car models offer better gas mileage than others. It depends on what type of engine they have in them.
For instance, a large vehicle with a V8 engine will consume way too much fuel. You’re better off driving an economy class vehicle with a four-cylinder engine.
It may give you up to 35 miles per gallon, which means you’ll take fewer trips to the gas station.
6) Work from Home
Do you have a job that gives you the option to work from home? If so, you should work from home whenever possible.
There is no reason to go to a commercial office when you can work from a home office and maintain the same level of productivity.
The best part is that you won’t need to drive anywhere. Fewer trips to work mean you’ll consume less fuel.
7) Order Groceries Online
You don’t even need to visit a grocery store in-person anymore. There are supermarkets and online retailers that offer customers the option to buy food products over the internet and have them delivered.
Check out Amazon, Walmart, and all the other big supermarket companies in your area to see if they sell groceries online too.
8) Use a Rewards Credit Card
Apply for a rewards credit card that gives you cashback when you spend money on fuel.
Several high-profile banks and credit card companies offer special rewards credit cards which give up to 3% back on all eligible fuel purchases.
It might not seem like much, but it does add up quickly each time you visit the pump.
9) Keep the Door Windows Up
Do you like to roll your door windows down when you drive? This puts more stress on the engine and causes it to consume more fuel.
Unfortunately, this action can diminish the aerodynamic performance of your vehicle as it is in motion.
For this reason, it is better to leave your door windows up as your vehicle when driving. It will enhance the aerodynamic performance and take the stress off the engine.
10) Maintain Good Tire Pressure
Every auto manufacturer recommends a particular amount of tire pressure for their vehicles. Your owner’s manual will indicate how much tire pressure is recommended for your vehicle’s tires.
Then make it a habit of checking the pressure of your tires and filling them up with air as needed. Low tire pressure can add stress to your engine because it creates more friction on the road.
But if you can maintain normal tire pressure, it eases the stress put on the engine. As a result, your engine won’t need to consume as much fuel to function.
