Money Saving Techniques - Cars and Gas

Drive 60 on the Highway – This is a difficult for most, including me – but if you drive 60 on the highway, you’ll maximize your gas mileage. Going over 60 in most cars will typically add wind resistance, which is less than optimal for the mileage you’ll get for the added speed. It’s much more efficient to drive slower.

Check your Tires – Make sure your tires have optimal PSI. Tires that have less air mean your car is going to need more juice to run. You can usually fill them up for free at some service stations, like QuikTrip. And remember: As temperature changes, so will the pressure in your tires, so check it regularly to be sure your pressure is where it should be. In addition, it may be worth getting your tires rotated and balanced.

Flip the nozzle upside down after filling the gas tank – There are other places than the bathroom where it’s appropriate to “shake twice”. Before filling your tank, carefully place the nozzle in, only tilting it when you’re right on target and you’ll usually spill a little gas from the last customer. Then, when you’re done, flip it upside down and shake it a couple times before removing. You’ll get about an extra half cup of gas out of it this way. It’s not much but takes almost no time at all. Why not?

Get the best price on gas
GasBuddy.com makes it easy to see the best gas prices – Each day, drivers post the latest gas prices to win points and prizes so you know where to get the most gas for your money. Type in your zip code and you’ll see a list of nearby stations and their current pricing, usually updated each day.

Don’t buy premium gas unless you need it
In fact, why are you driving a car that needs premium gas, anyway? Unless your engine requires it, get the lowest octane levels. There’s no added benefit to your vehicle unless using lower octane causes your engine to knock.

Get the Early Bird Special on Oil Changes
Oil change shops such as Jiffy Lube will usually give you a discount – almost half price – if you get your car in early for the oil change. I know not having a job makes it easy to slack and sleep in all day, but drag yourself out of bed one morning for your oil change and you will save a good $20 - $30 bucks on service. You absolutely must get this one on a regular basis or you’ll lower your gas mileage and risk expensive breakdowns. No matter how broke you are, if you’re driving a car, this is a must!

Get to Know a Mechanic
Everyone has a friend who has a friend who is a car mechanic. Get to know this person, someone you can trust and is honest, and someone who can help you out to get the best deal on parts and service. You can save hundreds of dollars this way on expensive car repairs, not to mention dealing with an honest mechanic is absolutely invaluable.

Only Run Your A/C on the Highway
Unless it’s an absolutely grueling day, you’ll get the most out of your gasoline by running your air conditioning on the highway. Rolling down the windows is helpful in the city, but with wind resistance you’ll be literally spinning your wheels more with your windows down on the highway than running the air conditioner.

Don’t drive sloppy
Lead-footed drivers will always spend more in gas and wear their brakes down faster. Accelerating from a full stop takes more gas than any other activity, so ease up a bit on the gas pedal. Don’t idle your car unnecessarily – if you’re waiting for it to heat up or cool, it’s better to just grin and bear it since driving your car makes this process faster, anyway.

Run multiple errands at once
Make a note to leave once a day instead of multiple times a day. If you can combine a trip to the hardware store, lunch with a friend, groceries, and the Unemployment office in a single trip, why waste gas going back and forth? Planning your trips can save you hundreds of dollars in gas.