Don't waste more money driving for 'cheap' gas
When gasoline prices spike like this, a lot of people start shopping around for the best price.
Some people are willing to drive several miles out of their way to save a few pennies a gallon.
Unless that gas is significantly cheaper and not too far out of you way it could cost you more than you save.
Mike Quincy with Consumer Reports Autos says there are two things you can do that are guaranteed to lower your gas bill.
"You can control how you drive and take care of your car. Do very simple things to improve its fuel economy performance."
Consumer Reports advises:
"Any kind of roof rack or bike rack that you have attached to your car that you're not using on a regular basis, take that off," Quincy says.
There are online calculators that show you if that extra drive for cheaper has saves money or not. Bankrate.com has one.
For more information
Fuel Economy.gov: Gas Mileage Tips
Consumer Reports: Debunking Fuel-Economy Myths
FTC: Save Money on Gas
Some people are willing to drive several miles out of their way to save a few pennies a gallon.
Unless that gas is significantly cheaper and not too far out of you way it could cost you more than you save.
Mike Quincy with Consumer Reports Autos says there are two things you can do that are guaranteed to lower your gas bill.
"You can control how you drive and take care of your car. Do very simple things to improve its fuel economy performance."
Consumer Reports advises:
- Stop the jack rabbit starts.
- Use cruise control when you're on the highway.
- Make sure your tires are at the proper pressure.
- Get rid of excess cargo in the trunk.
- Remove things that increase drag.
"Any kind of roof rack or bike rack that you have attached to your car that you're not using on a regular basis, take that off," Quincy says.
There are online calculators that show you if that extra drive for cheaper has saves money or not. Bankrate.com has one.
For more information
Fuel Economy.gov: Gas Mileage Tips
Consumer Reports: Debunking Fuel-Economy Myths
FTC: Save Money on Gas
One thing they did not mention in the article is only use the octane required by your car. High test gas DOES NOT BURN HOTTER than regular. You are wasting money by putting it in a car that only requires mid or low grade gas. Another thing is start your engine and only let it run a minute while you check your gauges then drive it. It will warm up quicker if you do this way. Another trick is DO NOT turn your heater on high as soon as you start the engine. It takes heat away from the engine making it use more gas till it finally warms up. These smaller engines make less heat. Keep your radial tires properly inflated but DO NOT over inflate them. Their construction does not require it to get better mileage. Having been in the auto repair field for 45 years I learned a few tricks to get the best mileage out of a car.
It is 25 miles to "cheap gas" from where I live so I bundle things into a trip so I am doing several things besides fueling up the car. Some of the suggestions on changing your driving will help, but if you are in an area like I am and there is as much as a 25 cent difference it makes a difference. By planning you can make it worth your while. I live on the Long Beach Peninsula and the locals are raping us for gas there. The biggest spread I have seen is 27 cents between them and Costco in Warrenton, Or.
So, what is the excuse for the big jump in the price of gas? Believe it or not, refineries claiming they are using summer ingredients. We are in the middle of winter. Whatever happened to Maria Cantwell's investigation on the refineries shut down? The best place for gas is Costco. It is usually 10 cents cheaper up front and additional up to 6% cash rebate. So, about 30 to 40 cents cheaper per gallon then your local gas station.
I'm just happy that one tank ($35) lasts me from one payday to the next.
How often CAN you use cruise control anymore? They forgot a very important one. You do not need to warm up your car for 30 minutes! Nothing that irritates me more than people with the SUV's and the remote starters that have their cars running while they are in the shower. Heaven forbid they should have to sit on a cold seat!
I plan my trips & never drive around looking for cheaper gas. Right now it's $3.77 near where I normally shop & usually buy around 9 gallons. 9 gallons where I buy gas comes to around $33 to $34. There might be a station with cheaper gas but if I can't save more than 90 cents total getting there, it's ridiculous to drive the extra miles.
I am loyal to Chevron and I know it's one of the higher priced gas around.
Still I have a few stations that sell it quite reasonably and on my way to work.
@mstipton I agree, I find my mileage goes down if I use anything but Chevron.
Cheap gas?
Where?
I know when I need to buy gas and I plan accordingly. I don't wait until the last minute to buy fuel. I plan my trips so that stations with lower prices are on my way and I take advantage of those prices. I also use gasbuddy app on my phone or online at http://gasbuddy.com/ to find the lowest prices.
@JeepRex And fill up before you hit 1/4 tank. I find that saves alot.
Actually cruise control can burn more fuel than just letting your car slow down at a incline rather than shifting down to keep your speed... if you are in a flat area sure but if you are in a hilly area cruise control does more harm than good... Keeping your car in good repair and proper tire inflation does way more.. I hardly ever use cruise control as I got used to driving without it when I was trying to fix it....
I get the point but I also refuse to solicit stations that are higher in price when I can look down the street and see a lower price.  I would rather break even on the saving and lose a little of my time, than just paying what ever is asked of me. hopefully the station with the higher price would see the lose in sales and lower their price.
@APenny4MyThoughts How the free market is supposed to work. The more one shops for the lowest price, the more that more expensive stations will have to compete with those low-priced stations to stay in business. Prices lower, the consumer benefits and the market works as it is supposed to. Those that want to pay more (because the gas is better, etc), that's fine but you are just telling the people that set prices they can set what they want and you will pay it....no incentive to lower prices.