Saving Money on Gas...A Few Ideas

[Frugal]

I have started filling up my tank before it is even half-empty. I do this, because prices can rise overnight as much as 6 cents per gallon unleaded regular gas. I have saved I estimate ten dollars a month or possibly more by doing so.

Have any of you taken the step of getting extra gas and filling up every time you go out more than a few miles from your home? I just top mine off, to save money in the long run. Filled it up yesterday at $3.76 a gallon, the cheapest I found in town. Higher than $3.80 likely today. I also have a larger tank than some cars, so this helps me save money!

What are your thoughts on this?

[marvholly]

I had filled up on Sat. Gas is delivered in my area on Mon early am & Thur late eve. I paid $3.88/gal by searching in the area I was in for the cheapest. Mon most of my area stations were up to $4.05-4.09. If i needed gas & did a search I suspect I could pat 0.05-07 less.

I am also MUCH more careful about acceleration, watching for red lights & stop signs ahead and coasting to stoplights & signs. I am also trying to park so I can just pull out when I shop.

[kork13]

Empty out your car, taking out unnecessary weight. Lawn chairs? Sand/kitty litter? Case of water? Some will even remove extra seating (mostly in minivans where this is actually an option). Whatever you've got stashed away, it's almost guaranteed that you don't need it EVERY TIME you're on the road. And those extra pounds cost you in the end, by making your engine work harder to get moving with all the added weight.

There are extreme ends to this as well though, which are less advisable--some people drive with no more than 1/4 tank of gas, remove the spare tire/tools, and so on. Not such a great idea unless you're okay with getting stuck if something goes wrong...

[snafu]

This AM gas was $1.09 litre [$4.36 gal.] At 5 PM gas was $ 1.17 litre [$ 4.68 gal]. The refineries are in the NE of this city...most is shipped to the USA.

[khosta]

Originally Posted by Frugal

I have started filling up my tank before it is even half-empty. I do this, because prices can rise overnight as much as 6 cents per gallon unleaded regular gas. I have saved I estimate ten dollars a month or possibly more by doing so.

What a great idea!!! I have thought baout this before but didn't know it could save you as much as $10!!! That's pretty awesome!!! I think I'll try that!!!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

So, how much extra weight are you carrying with a constantly full tank?

[frugalgirl]

So, what you are saying is that you are topping off your tank when you are out and see a good price for gas instead of waiting for an empty tank and paying the price available at that time.

When I first read your post, I thought you may be just continuously topping off the tank which will not save you any money over just waiting to fill it up when it is empty.

[Alan_MoneySanity]

Perhaps a more fuel efficient car might help. You can save quite a bit if you drive a lot by having a fuel efficient car that runs on regular gas. The savings would be greater if you had a Prius.

For example - Assuming that gas costs $4 per gallon and that you travel 15,000 per year. It will cost you $2000 annually or $167 monthly for gas if you have a car that gets 30 mpg. Compare that to a car that gets 15 mpg; the same amount of driving will cost you $4000 per year or $334 for the month.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

whoops. posted to wrong thread

[debtfreeme]

I am not getting gas more often but I do search for the best price as much as possible. I also am very careful about my driving habits, when I drive (avoiding traffic), speed, errands grouping, not driving one day a week (either a Saturday or a Sunday).

I plan to walk to work when my classes are over in the middle of May. I've done that before and it is huge savings, but i don't have time to do that when classes are in session. I am only a mile and a half from the office so I am excited about being able to walk to work again. I can walk until middle of August, depending on when my evening courses are.

[PatientSaver]

Practice hypermiling: gradual acceleration from a full stop, gentle braking, or none at all, when can see by looking ahead that you'll need to stop. Try not to drive over 60 mph. So that means avoid highways, but also try to avoid driving heavily congested streets with lots of stopping and starting.

I drive a 12-year old Honda Civic and average 38 mpg by driving this way.

[PetMom]

Has anyone ever read about 'Hypermilers'? Just do a search. There are articles, forum, blogs about people who try to get the maximum mileage out of their cars. Lots of fascinating details. A guy refused to put his wallet in his pocket (a more extreme idea).

Lots of motivation as the gas prices delve into our budgets.

[SmartMoneyGuy]

also, make sure your car is well maintained and has a regular oil change. your car will run more efficient and have a longer life span.

SmartMoneyGuy

[jteezie]

You could take out the engine. I hear it's the heaviest and least useful part of the vehicle.

Seriously, though, the marginal benefits are so small it's not worth it. It's like the difference of speeding 80 mph on a 5 mile drive vs driving at 65mph. The 15mph does not save very much time. You're better off just leaving 1 minute earlier and significantly reducing your risk of death from a car accident.

[shanecurran]

I wonder how much money is lost due to more frequent filling of the tank. I mean every time you fill the tank a little drips out or is left in the hose.