Former Texas Governor and Energy Secretary Rick Perry comments on the failures of the Biden administration and Biden’s energy policy.
Gas prices continue to rise, reaching a national average of $4.33 a gallon on Friday. According to AAA, average prices range from $3.82 per gallon to $5.72 per gallon.
FOX Business offers an overview of best practices for consumers looking to save money on gas while driving and filling up.
GAS PRICES EXCEED $4, LEADING AMERICANS CHANGE LIFESTYLES: AAA
1. Plan your trips in advance
The best way to save on gas is to plan your trips in advance to minimize unnecessary turns and backtracks. Drivers should avoid peak traffic and, whenever possible, go to “general stores” where multiple tasks can be performed.
2. Buy gasoline on Monday
According to GasBuddy, which operates real-time fuel pricing apps and websites at more than 140,000 gas stations, the best day to buy gasoline for maximum savings is Monday, followed by Sunday and Friday. While weekends were considered the most expensive prices, now Thursday and Wednesday are the most expensive days to fill up.
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3. Don’t buy premium fuel if your car doesn’t need it.
A 2018 GasBuddy survey showed that about 8% of respondents fill their tanks with premium fuel. However, GasBuddy notes that premium gasoline can cost up to 60 cents a gallon more than regular octane gasoline. Previous AAA research has also found no additional benefits unless your vehicle requires them.
According to GasBuddy, the best day to buy gas for maximum savings is Monday, followed by Sunday and Friday. (iStock/iStock)
4. Reduce highway speed.
According to the AAA, fuel economy typically peaks around 50 mph on most vehicles and drops off as speed increases. The organization estimates that reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
In addition, by avoiding jerky starts and sudden accelerations, fuel consumption can be reduced. Drivers can avoid unnecessary stops or slowdowns on the highway by using “fast passing” or “express pay” lanes, and can adjust their speed while driving locally according to traffic light “times”.
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5. Don’t be idle
Drivers who are parked or stuck in traffic for an extended period of time can turn off the engine if it is safe to do so to avoid using excess gas when not in motion. The AAA notes that a car engine consumes a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour at idle, but it only takes about 10 seconds of fuel to restart a warm engine. Tests by Edmunds.com have shown that turning the car off instead of idling can increase fuel economy by almost 20%.
6. Schedule scheduled vehicle maintenance checks.
Drivers who schedule regular maintenance, including engine tuning, tire rotation, and oil changes with manufacturer-recommended engine oil, can improve their vehicle’s fuel economy.
7. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and check the gas tank cap.
Previous tire pressure and fuel consumption tests conducted by Edmunds have shown that proper tire pressure can save drivers an average of $112 per year. Drivers should also check their gas tank cap to make sure it is closed properly to avoid gas evaporating from their car’s tank. Evaporating gas is usually more common in older vehicles with worn tires or seals.
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8. Reduce the weight of your car
The US Fuel Economy website estimates that reducing the weight of your car by 100 pounds can improve fuel economy by 1%. In addition, fuel economy on the highway can be increased by 6-17% by removing excess cargo boxes from the roof of your car.
9. Use cruise control
GasBuddy estimates that turning cruise control on while driving on the highway can increase fuel economy by an average of 14%. Cruise control should be turned off in mountainous or hilly terrain.
10. Only use conditioner when you need it.
According to Fueleconomy.gov, drivers can increase fuel consumption by up to 25% in very hot conditions by reducing air conditioning use. However, this must be balanced with keeping a cool head.
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11. Buy an economical car
Consumers who can afford it can also purchase an economical vehicle. According to Consumer Reports, the most economical cars on the market for 2022 are the Honda Insight and Accord, Toyota Prius, Corolla, Camry and Avalon, Hyundai Ioniq, Elantra and Sonata and Kia Niro.
| Ticker | Security | past | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMC | HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD. | 26.46 | -0.72 | -2.65% |
| TM | TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. | 158.27 | -6.12 | -3.72% |
| HIMTF | HYUNDAI MOTOR CO. LTD. | 35.15 | -0.65 | -1.82% |
The cheapest car on the Consumer Reports list, the Hyundai Elantra, starts at $19,950.
12. Join a gas station loyalty program or use cashback credit cards.
Consumers can check with their local gas station to see if they offer fuel loyalty cards or programs for additional fuel discounts. Individuals with good credit may also consider getting a gas credit card, which can offer a cashback of 2% to 5%. For those who are wary of credit cards or have a bad credit history, they can also pay cash for gas to avoid transaction fees when shopping with a credit or debit card.