In this day and age, a vehicle is a must.
Unless you live 10 feet away from work.
And even at that, you still have to travel to your kid’s school functions, soccer games, and other things you feel are needed in life.
So what do you do?
You get a nice car to get you there.
Something pretty and something that you can show off to your friends.
That lack of thinking will lead to costly car repairs and, most especially, more spending on fuel.
This then leads to a thinner wallet and a need to cut costs.
Been there, done that, and it’s not something you can easily point out.
With such experience, I have found ways to save on fuel since I couldn’t be more mature when buying our first ride.
So if saving and maximizing the gas in your car is something you want, this list should help you accomplish that.
Some of them you might already know, but I’m sure you will benefit from this list.
Let’s see how you can save more fuel with the crazy amount of money we put into the pumps.
1. Gas Awareness
Gas is the last thing we worry about when saving more money.
All we focus on is how much gas prices are going up, but we don’t even monitor anything else.
If you take some time to see how fast your gas is being used, you will pump the brakes and figure out a solution.
Without doing that and you can expect to see more money coming out of your bank account.
How much money are you spending on fuel every month?
In most cases, it is easily over $300 and something you won’t ever realize unless you think about things.
Monitor your spending and mileage, and see where you are going daily.
2. Carpool
All your co-workers are going to the same place, and chances are that some of you live in the same area.
Heck, some of you might even be neighbors.
Whether you live close by or one of you is on the way to work, this is a great chance for you to do some carpooling.
Take turns on driving to work but figure out a way to use one vehicle a day to get you both to work.
And if there is more than one in that area, you can all get into one car.
Figure something out but try to do less driving if you can.
3. Take Fewer Trips
Remember when you had to run back to the store because you forgot a can of corn?
Or the times when you NEED that one stick of butter?
Oftentimes, you don’t need or have to do anything.
For one, you can try to remember everything the next time you go shopping or create a good old shopping list like everyone else is doing.
And if you think you need something, you might want to think again, as that stick of butter could probably wait.
4. Public Transportation
Sometimes we don’t like to do things, but it usually works best.
And public transportation is one of them.
I have tried many public transportation systems, and I know they are not the best.
But when my wallet gets involved, it is a whole lot better.
Depending on how the public transportation system works in your area, you should consider using it.
Some are free, and some only cost a couple bucks a month, much less than one tank of gas.
If you can put that pride in your back pocket, you can also add more money in there.
5. Get a Bike
Depending on how far you live is from your job site, and this is a great way to save on gas.
Not only are you saving hundreds of dollars, but you will also get the much needed exercise that you’ve been trying to get in for the last decade.
I drive everywhere, even if I stay right in the heart of my town, which has everything I need to help with my affiliate marketing business.
I would take the occasional walks to work, but that didn’t work well.
Then it clicked that I had a bike.
Holy cow!
I now ride almost everywhere I go, and not only am I saving on gas, but I am seeing places where only a bike can take you.
Oh, and I am also getting back into shape, thanks to my bike.
Wikipedia does mention getting a scooter or motorcycle, which of course, are other great alternatives.
6. Join a Rewards Program
Gas stations are all competing, and that’s just something they have to do.
With this competition comes the many marketing strategies to keep you coming back.
One of these strategies is by creating a rewards program of some sort.
“Buy 10 cups of coffee and get one free.”
“Get $7 worth of fuel with every $30 gas purchase.”
That’s the kind of stuff they use, but it is also a great way for us consumers to save money.
If your current favorite gas station doesn’t have one, you might want to consider changing.
Don’t get too attached to just one, as they are all just businesses trying to make more money.
7. Vehicle Maintenance
This might be up on the list of ways to save money on fuel, but it is one that will help big time.
Keep up with your oil changes, ensure your spark plugs are giving you 100%, and doing typical maintenance will help in this department.
If you know you haven’t done any maintenance on your vehicle, now is a great time to get that done.
And if you have never done this, get a fuel cleaner of some sort.
That little bottle will help with fuel savings.
8. Proper Tire Inflation
There comes a point in our lives where we will struggle just a little with finances.
What went from an easy tire repair is now going to putting air almost daily to save you from buying a new one.
It happens, and that is just how it is.
However, you do need to understand that driving on tires with low pressure has an impact on your fuel usage.
Tires with low pressure will have you using a lot more fuel than necessary so make sure your tires are properly inflated.
And if your tires have too much air, you will have to worry about improper wear.
If your tires require 35 PSI, then keep it there.
No more and no less.
9. Get a Gas Saver
That beautiful SUV that seemed like a great purchase at the time might just need to be traded in for something a little more fuel efficient.
Forget about trying to impress your friends with a sweet ride and do it by showing how frugality is now part of your adult life.
Get something that works for you and your family, and get something that is great with gas.
Gone are the days of being fancy, and in are the days of trying to get by.
Don’t go with a fuel-saving car, and you will have that much harder time just trying to pay bills.
A simple change in your vehicle should help with this problem.
10. Fuel up in the Morning or Evening
This is especially for summertimes or those of you who live in hotter places like I do.
Gas is exactly that.
Gas.
So guess what it does when it’s hot?
It gets heated, rises, and will come right out of your tank faster.
I am no scientist, though, so do some testing yourself, and you will see what I’m talking about.
It works for me, and I do think it will work for you too.
11. Keep Your Tank Filled Properly
This is very car-dependent so use what works best for you.
When you think of a full tank of gas, you most likely will assume that the weight will make you use more fuel.
I drive a 2010 Toyota Highlander, and it works differently.
The more gas I have in my tank allows me to fill up less.
If I drive around with 1/4 tank or less, my gas will disappear a whole lot faster.
I am no mechanic, nor am I a scientist, but here is my explanation of why this happens.
Having a lower tank of gas allows the fuel to burn faster.
That’s my theory, and I’m sticking with it.
I know a lot of filling up depends on your wallet, but if you want to save more on fuel, try keeping your tank at half or more, and you will see a difference.
12. Drive Better
When the light turns green, we step on the gas, and we’re off.
We speed up just to get caught at another red light.
All that stepping on the pedal does nothing for you but wastes more gas.
The next time you take off, try putting less pressure on the gas pedal, and you will use less gas.
That’s just how it is, and doing such a thing will save you much more fuel than you think.
13. Stop Being Late
Some of you are probably late every single day of the week.
Whether it be to work, dropping the kids to school, or getting to church, you are most likely going to run late, regardless.
This lack of punctuality will lead to you thinking you’re in a race car, and once again, you will use more fuel.
Something as simple as waking up 10 minutes earlier will help with this problem.
Instead of hitting snooze, get your butt up and get a jumpstart on your day.
This will lead to less spending and less fuel consumption.
Trust me, this works.
You Have Been Saved
This is about all I have the time to talk about.
I will be adding more fuel-saving tips later, as I know there are more.
Do take these tips and apply them to your already busy life, and you will see just how much money you can save.
Knowing how much fuel you use and can save will lead to more savings in other parts of your life.
I hope this helps, and I hope you found a lot of value.
Don’t forget to share the love, and don’t forget to always be frugal.
Cheers!