Gasoline is getting more expensive: 8 non-obvious ways to save on car fuel

Gasoline prices are rising, and complex geopolitical events are only making an already bad situation worse. Gasoline costs depend on many variables: where you live, what you drive, traffic jams, weather, geography, and so on. Money Talks News. More often than not, you can't control how much gasoline use daily.

However, you can change some driving habits and cut down on your overall gas bill.

Here are some bad habits to give up if you want to save on gas:

1. Buying premium gasoline

If you really want to know the difference between premium, plus and regular gasoline, read this MIT article. It says if your car doesn't require premium gasoline, don't use it. This is a big expense that you don't need.

On the subject: Gasoline prices in New Jersey broke a historical record, in New York there are also problems with fuel

The AAA estimates that drivers spend $2,1 billion annually buying premium gasoline when they don't need it.

2. Aggressive driving

Impatience will not do you any good on the road. Fast acceleration after traffic lights, from stop signs, or on the freeway burns more fuel. Just like driving at high speed or hard braking. Stay calm and save gas.

Rapid accelerations and stops are also harmful. transmission components and threaten faster wear on brake pads and rotors that cost several hundred dollars to repair.

Aggressive driving can reduce gas mileage by 10% to 40%, depending on conditions.

3. Using the car roof rack

One of our easy ways to cut costs is to stop using a roof rack. Or at least don't leave it attached when you're done using it.

Roof racks create additional air resistance, forcing the engine to work a little harder and reducing gas mileage per gallon.

Carrying stuff in a roof rack all the time can reduce your mileage per gallon by as much as 8% in the city and 25% on the freeway.

4. Ignoring bonus programs for using gasoline

Several large grocery and gas chains offer discounts if you use their bonus programs.

If you are a regular customer in these stores and you are not registered in their bonus programs, then we advise you to reconsider your decision and register:

• BP
• Cub Foods
• Exxon
• Kroger
• Safeway
• Shell
• Speedway

5. Buying gasoline on weekends

Avoid gas stations on weekends and on Thursdays and Wednesdays, the days when fuel dealers raise prices the most. Monday is the best day to buy gasoline in many states.

6. Reluctance to compare prices

Most of us have favorite gas stations, usually those that are close to our homes and workplaces. But with a little planning and some internet research, you can save a lot of money.

Apps and websites such as Gasbuddy, Waze и Gas gurucan show you where the most cheap fuel in any particular city.

7. Idling

Sitting for more than 10 seconds—probably the norm during red light stops and while loading kids onto school buses—uses more gas than stopping and restarting the engine. Modern cars are so technologically advanced that they don't suffer from wear and tear when the engine is restarted frequently.

According to the Department of Energy, we waste about 6 billion gallons of gasoline every year idling. Half of them are in personal vehicles.

8. Insufficient maintenance

Camber, proper engine oil, correct tire pressure and clean air filters all contribute to maximum vehicle performance and lower fuel consumption.

Goodyear, Discount Tire, Big O и Les Schwab offer a free tire pressure check with the possibility of booking online.

Here are the fuel savings you'll get with proper maintenance of your vehicles:

• Tuning: improves fuel economy by 4%;
• The correct tire pressure is 0,6%;
• The correct engine oil is 1% -2%.