My Insurance Insider and Finance Blog

photo credit: mtkopone

The gasoline prices are inching closer to $5/gallon, and we are all looking for ways to save some money. For most, paying these higher prices means that there’s less left over for other purchases.

You may happen to find many smaller gas stations offering cheaper pricing for cash buyers or some complementary service offerings where gas stations offer lower gas pricing to customers who get a car-wash. Here’s some tips for cutting your gas prices down.

General Aspects on Gas Saving:

1. Look for discount retailers: Discount retailers such as Wal-Mart and others sometimes use lower gas prices to lure you into their store and making margin from all other purchases at their store.
2. Consider a gas-rebate card: Some credit card companies offer gas-rebate cards meaning you will get discounts, rebates, points or cash back on your purchases.
3. Buy a smaller and more fuel-efficient car as smaller cars are lighter and get better mileage. You would better buy a motorcycle or scooter instead of a car. They are dart cheaper. You can check the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fuel Economy site or the EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide.
4. Buy a hybrid car as not only it gives you immediate savings at the pump, it can give you tax benefits(as high as $2000)
5. Plan your trips in advance and use alternative routes. Use a global positioning system (GPS) to help you navigate and find the fastest and shortest distance to your destination. They all can prevent wasting fuel and time.
6. Use the Internet: Instead of looking for best prices off-line, go to search prices online. You can save much. For cheapest prices, visit Gasbuddy
7. Drive efficiently: Driving a car at 55-65 mph speed is more efficient way to run it and can reduce the necessity of frequent braking and accelerating that translate into better fuel savings. Another great way to save fuel is to switch the AC on at faster speeds and turn off when stuck in traffic and use windows for air circulation.
8. Whenever possible, walk, ride a bike or bus or join a carpool. Try moving closer to work or working closer to home. Combine several scattering short trips in one longer trip. Try walk between stops and park in the first spot you find in between your stops. They all will save time as well as money.

Technical Aspects on Gas Saving:

1. Park in the shade. Otherwise gasoline evaporates faster out of your car’s fuel tank in the directly sun light- be it winter or summer. Parking in the shade also keeps it cooler inside means you save on AC when you get back in.
2. Avoid idling. Take off slowly from a full stop. This will have dramatic effects on your gas mileage.
3. Buy a diesel car as it can often give better mileage than comparable hybrids.
4. Change oil regularly. Instead of mineral oil, use synthetic oil. This will help your engine to run better and give better mileage.
5. Check air filter on every oil change and clean it regularly as clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime that consume more fuel. Upgrade the air filter when requires. Clean fuel injector or complete fuel system occasionally. These all will help you in fuel savings.
6. Upgrade your tires. Low resistance tires, such as Michelin Energy MX 4 Plus can increase gas mileage. Check your car’s tire pressure as inaccurate tire pressure can cause poor gas mileage.
7. Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If your car is lighter, it will consume less fuel when you drive.