Gas prices have a way of making every trip to the pump feel a little more painful. I recently spent more than $90 filling up my tank, compared with around $60 not too long ago. When a single fill-up jumps that much, even small changes in the way you drive and care for your car can make a difference.
Finding the cheapest gas station nearby is one way to save, but it isn’t the only one. Your driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and even what you keep in your car can affect how much fuel you use.
If you’re already paying more for every gallon, avoiding a few common mistakes can help keep your overall fuel costs from climbing even higher.
Using Premium Gas When Your Car Doesn’t Need It
Premium fuel may sound like a better choice, but that doesn’t mean your car will run better on it.
Most vehicles are built to run on regular gasoline. If your owner’s manual says regular fuel is appropriate, paying extra for premium usually won’t give you better mileage or noticeably better performance.
Check your vehicle’s recommended fuel grade and stick with it. There’s little reason to spend more at every fill-up if your car doesn’t require it.
Related: 12 Things You Should Avoid Doing at a Gas Station
Topping Off After the Pump Clicks
Once the pump automatically shuts off, your tank is full enough. Trying to squeeze in a little more gas doesn’t give you much extra usable fuel.
Overfilling can also allow gasoline to enter parts of the vehicle’s evaporative emissions system that aren’t meant to hold liquid fuel. That can lead to problems with the system over time.
It may seem harmless to keep pumping after the first click, but there’s really no benefit to doing it.
Letting Your Tank Get Too Close to Empty
There’s no need to panic when your fuel gauge drops below half, but regularly driving until the tank is nearly empty isn’t a great habit.
The fuel pump is surrounded by gasoline inside the tank, which helps with cooling. Running on very little fuel all the time can put additional strain on the pump.
A nearly empty tank can also leave you with very little room for error if you get stuck in traffic, run into a delay, or can’t find an open gas station.
Keeping some fuel in the tank gives you a little more breathing room and may help avoid an expensive repair down the road.
Related: Gas Prices Are High Enough—Avoid These Costly Fueling Mistakes
Filling Up While a Tanker Is Delivering Fuel
You may have heard that filling your car while a tanker truck is delivering gasoline can cause sediment from the underground tank to get into your vehicle.
The situation is a little less straightforward than that. Modern fuel stations have filtration systems and procedures intended to keep contaminants out of the fuel supply.
Still, if a station is actively receiving a fuel delivery, waiting until the delivery is finished is a reasonable choice. If the station looks busy or you have another convenient option nearby, there’s no real advantage to filling up at that moment.
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Leaving Your Engine Running While You Fuel Up
There’s really no reason to leave the engine running while you’re at the pump.
Turn the vehicle off before you start fueling. Gasoline vapors are highly flammable, and shutting off the engine is a basic safety step at the pump.
Idling also burns fuel while your car is sitting still. It may only be a small amount each time, but there’s no reason to waste it.
Related: People Are Flooding Costco for Gas (And It’s Not Going Well)
Sticking With a Pump That’s Giving You Trouble
If a pump keeps stopping, isn’t dispensing fuel properly, or seems to be malfunctioning, move to another pump.
A faulty pump can turn a quick fill-up into a frustrating experience. If something doesn’t seem right, there’s no prize for sticking with it.
You can also let the station attendant know about the problem so it can be checked.
Forgetting to Tighten the Gas Cap
A loose gas cap is easy to overlook, especially when you’re in a hurry.
If it isn’t sealed properly, fuel vapors can escape and your vehicle’s emissions system may detect a leak. In some cars, that can trigger the check engine light.
Before you drive away, give the gas cap a few turns until it’s properly secured. It’s a tiny habit that can prevent an unnecessary warning light later.
Always Filling Up at the Same Time
Gas prices can vary from one day to the next, and some stations change their prices several times during the week.
Prices can also jump around busy travel periods or ahead of holidays. If you don’t need gas immediately, checking prices at a few nearby stations can sometimes save you a decent amount.
You don’t have to drive across town to save a few cents. The goal is to find a cheaper option that’s already close to where you’re going.
Ignoring Gas Rewards and Discounts
Fuel rewards are easy to overlook, but they can add up over the course of a year.
Some grocery stores offer fuel points based on purchases, while certain credit cards, membership programs, and gas stations have their own rewards. Even a small discount per gallon can make a difference if you fill up regularly.
Just make sure you’re not spending extra money on things you don’t need simply to earn fuel points. A discount only helps if you’re actually saving money overall.
Carrying Around a Car Full of Stuff
Take a look inside your trunk. If it’s full of things you haven’t used in months, it may be time to clean it out.
Extra weight makes your vehicle work harder, particularly during acceleration. The effect isn’t huge for a few items, but carrying around heavy equipment, boxes, or other unnecessary items all the time can affect fuel economy.
Keep what you actually need in the car and leave the rest at home.
Ignoring Your Tire Pressure
Your tires have a direct effect on how efficiently your car moves down the road.
When tires are underinflated, they create more rolling resistance, which can cause your vehicle to use more fuel. Incorrect tire pressure can also contribute to uneven tire wear.
Check the recommended tire pressure listed in your owner’s manual or on the label inside the driver’s door. Don’t use the maximum pressure printed on the tire as your target unless your vehicle manufacturer says to.
A quick pressure check takes only a few minutes and can help protect both your tires and your fuel budget.
Always Choosing the Closest Gas Station
Convenience is nice, but the closest gas station isn’t always the cheapest.
Prices can vary noticeably between stations that are only a few minutes apart. Before filling up, check a gas-price app or the prices at stations along your route.
There’s no need to make a special trip just to save a few cents. But if a cheaper station is already on your way, there’s little reason to pay more out of habit.
Putting Off Routine Maintenance
A car that’s overdue for basic maintenance can end up costing more to operate.
Keep up with oil changes, use the type of motor oil recommended for your vehicle, and replace worn or dirty filters when needed. Proper maintenance can help your engine run as it should and catch problems before they become expensive repairs.
Don’t assume every maintenance service advertised at a shop is necessary, though. Check your owner’s manual to see what your vehicle actually needs and when.
Driving Aggressively
Hard acceleration, sudden braking, and constantly changing speeds can use more fuel than smooth driving.
That doesn’t mean you have to crawl along or drive unnaturally slowly. Just try to accelerate gradually, leave enough space between you and the car ahead, and avoid unnecessary bursts of speed.
Cruise control can also help maintain a steady speed on suitable stretches of highway.
A smoother driving style can make your fuel last longer without requiring much effort.
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Making the Most of Fuel Rewards
Fuel discounts can be especially useful if you’re already shopping at a store or membership club that offers them.
Grocery stores, warehouse clubs such as Sam’s Club and Costco, and some credit card programs offer ways to reduce the price you pay at the pump. The savings may come through points, cents-off discounts, or other rewards.
Check the rules before you use them. Some rewards expire, have limits, or only work at certain stations.
When you’re already spending money on groceries or other necessities, using the fuel benefits that come with those purchases can be an easy way to trim your gas bill.
Small Habits Can Add Up
You don’t have to completely change your driving routine to spend less on gas.
Use the fuel your vehicle actually requires, keep your tires properly inflated, stay current on basic maintenance, and avoid unnecessary idling and aggressive driving. Check nearby gas prices before filling up and use rewards when they genuinely save you money.
None of these changes will make gas prices suddenly cheap. But when you’re paying more at the pump, saving a little on every tank can make a noticeable difference over the course of a year.
