Summer Tips for Saving Money at the Pumps

Summertime is here again and with it summer trips and the usual increase in prices at the pumps. If you’re keen on traveling this summer but don’t want to break the bank putting gasoline in your automobile, read the Tips below before starting out on any automobile adventure. Enjoy.

In this technologically advanced age, if you’re still driving all over town looking for the best price on gasoline you’re a little crazy. Smartphones give you access to a plethora of apps that will help you quickly find the best price in town, including one of the best called GasBuddy. Download it today and to stop wasting time and gas.

Purchasing your gas from a station that’s busy is a great idea because fresh gas is less likely to be contaminated and is better for your car’s engine.

Purchase a tire pressure gauge and check your tires once a week to make sure that they are properly inflated. This is an extremely easy and simple thing to do and, since tires that are under or over inflated can reduce your engine’s efficiency by 2%, is also a great way to save money on gas.

Definitely take advantage of your car’s cruise control when traveling on the highway. When your car is traveling at a specific, steady pace you increase fuel efficiency by upwards of 8%.

If you’re going to be stopped for more than 45 seconds it’s best to turn off your car because idling for any longer is simply a waste of gas.

Try to plan your trips so that you don’t drive through a crowded metropolitan area during rush hour.

Before setting off on a long-distance trip, have your car serviced and make sure that everything is running correctly, all fluid levels are where they should be and your tires are inflated properly.

If you are a fan of “topping off” when filling your gas tank, you’d be well advised to stop. The fact is that most gas pumps don’t contain sufficient pressure to deliver gas well in short bursts which means that, if you top off your tank, you might get shortchanged.

The next time you purchase new tires, consider radial tires instead of standard because they will cut your fuel bill by 2 to 3%.

Driving in the morning, late afternoon or at night is a great way to save energy because you won’t need the air-conditioning nearly as much.

It’s definitely a good idea to either use the GPS mapping on your smart phone or, if you don’t have that option, map out your route before you leave on a long-distance trip so that you can get to your destination while still driving the least amount of miles.

Hopefully these tips will help you to not only have some wonderful summer adventures in your car but also save a lot of money on gasoline. Enjoy your summer, drive safe and have a wonderful time.