When it comes to gas prices, we’re all feeling the crunch. Fortunately, you can fight back by being a bit more strategic about when, where and how you fill ’er up. While many of us know some of the basics of good fuel economy—like keeping your tires properly inflated, staying up on car maintenance, ditching excess cargo—adopting these lesser-known gas- (and cash-) saving strategies won’t hurt.
1. Schedule Your Gas Run
Wednesday is typically the best day to fill up for less, says automotive expert Lauren Fix. “Prices tend to rise on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel,” she explains. In fact, a recent study by the St. Louis Federal Reserve found that refueling on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of the weekend saved 8 cents to 9 cents a gallon—saving you more than $60 per year. It also pays to fill up early. “Station owners tend to hike prices after 9 a.m. or so, once they’ve had time to check the competition.”
2. Don’t Top It Off
That extra squeeze may round out your purchase price, but it’s also likely to splash out or evaporate, along with your hard-earned cash, notes Fix. Stop pumping when you hear the first click. Remember to screw the gas cap back until it clicks, too, so none of your fuel escapes as fumes. “About 17 percent of vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year,” says Fix.
3. Pay With Cash
Most of us use plastic at the pump, but carrying cash can save you as much as 10 cents to 15 cents a gallon, says GasBuddy. (Some stations charge less when you pay cash because they save on credit card fees.)
4. Use Loyalty Programs
If you must charge it, consider getting a card that rewards you for buying gas. Meanwhile, see if the station you visit the most offers a rewards or loyalty card. Some grocery store loyalty programs also offer gas rewards—you earn points buying groceries, then redeem for gas. Or check out gift-card resale sites. You may be able to score a gas card worth say $100 for $90, yielding $10 in free gas.
5. Follow The 10-second Rule
Whether you’re picking up a slowpoke or waiting at the drive-through, turn off the engine if your wait is longer than 10 seconds. Idling drains your tank by a quarter- to a half-gallon of fuel per hour, whereas restarting only sips 10 seconds worth of gas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Even in winter, there’s no need to sit in your driveway “warming up” the engine. Most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after half a minute.
6. Let Your Fingers Do The Driving
No more wasting fuel driving around in search of the lowest price. Log on to GEICO’s gas station locator before you leave to pinpoint the best deals along your route, or access it on the go from the GEICO Mobile app to see real-time prices nearby.
Want to cut the cost of car ownership even more? Find out how much cash you could stash just by getting a cheaper car insurance policy. Get a fast free auto insurance quote from GEICO.
Read more: 5 Ways to Increase Your Mileage
By Julia Califano
John P Turner Jr says,
I need gas buddy to help save on gas
P.A. Davis says,
You can save gas by driving slower!!! 55mph saves lives, too…
Theodore Michael Pratt III says,
Thank you for gas prices it really was helpful
Shirley Saenz says,
Thank you for gas prices it really was helpful 😃👍
Donna Campbell says,
I appreciate the 411 on how to save on gas and how to get cheaper insurance thank you so much tips are always needed please continue to help
Yv atte says,
Thanks so much for the good information
William A Thomas says,
my cheap gas finder does not work any more, it did work very well. I put in my zip code 03222 , and looks like it’s going to work but it comes right back to the start.
Richard S Fleming says,
Thanks GEICO!
Tom says,
What states tend to have the highest gas prices? We drive alot and always wonder if we should buy in the state we are in or the state we are heading into.
AliceMarie says,
California. Stay out of this states. The taxes alone will eat you alive.
Ride Back Roads says,
California, New York, and Pennsylvania.
nick says,
great info thanks
charles schnelle says,
the 4 gas stations listed as cheapest all cost me a 5 dollar toll so not cheap. thanks for the ten second rule though.
anonymous says,
that might be but then there is the energy the alternator has to use to recharge the battery as well as excessive wear on starter and engine. My neighbor had one of those cars that shut down at red lights automatically and one day it stopped working at would isle like a regular car. Her gas mileage went up. HMMM. She then decided not to fix it since she didnt want her mileage to go back down.
Sharri says,
Thanks for the info
Glenda Kay Turner says,
Thanks, I am insured by Geico and this app helps me find the cheapest gas and one that is the closest to me
Carlos Leal says,
All the recommendations for GEICO are very important. We need to save any possible money. These are a good guides by fulling stations. Thank you, so much.
Donald Winans says,
what is best, driving with a/c on or the windows down ?
barbara says,
no a/c is best
Ernie says,
Drive with the AC on, keep you windows rolled up.
Vivian C Noel says,
You gonna ride around in the heat. When it’s hot use a/c when it’s not roll your windows down. Use common sense. Dah!!! Else we’ll be visiting you in the hospital.
Red Rover Rick says,
Windows up, a.c. on. Also, turning fan speed up lets you feel comfortable at a higher temperature setting.
gene durch says,
i use to able to bring up gas prices easy un till