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Three Simple Ways To Save On Gas Costs

For many of us, driving is a big part of our lives. If your vehicle uses gasoline, you already know how much of an expense it can be.

Gas prices fluctuate. However, it’s still possible to save and pay less at the pump. You can start by making subtle changes that can save money over time. Here are a few suggestions to help you save money when driving your vehicle.

1. Take Advantage of Your Credit Card’s Rewards Program

Have you been using your credit card for most of your living expenses? When used sensibly, using credit is a great way to build up your score and make everyday transactions securely.

If your card has a rewards program (either through a point redemption system or cash back), you can also access a powerful tool to help cut down your fuel costs.

You can use points or cash back to help reduce your overall costs at the pump. How you redeem these rewards depends on the card issuer. The most common redemption methods include:

  • Opting for cash back for qualifying purchases.
  • Redeeming directly at participating gas stations.
  • Using rewards points for either gas or a statement credit.

If you have a rewards card, refer to your issuer’s website for details on utilizing your benefits. Remember that unused points are a lot like leaving money on the table. Use them!

2. Avoid “Topping Off” Your Tank

Topping off is the practice of ignoring a gas pump’s auto-shutoff sensor to round out the total price of refueling. Reasons for doing this may include wanting to get the most from a fuel purchase or rounding to the nearest dollar.

Topping off is generally not advisable. That extra splash of gasoline is more likely to evaporate instead of adding an extra mile to your fuel economy. Also, filling up your tank beyond capacity poses safety and environmental issues.

According to AAA, topping off can:

  • Pose a fire hazard, create toxic runoff, and damage air quality.
  • Return excess gasoline to the station’s tanks, wasting your money.
  • Damage your vehicle’s internals, forcing costly and unnecessary repairs.

When fueling up, return the pump when it shuts off automatically the first time. Getting that little extra gas means paying more than you need.

Another way to get your money’s worth is to seal your tank with a gas cap properly. Make sure it clicks once as you tighten it. Doing so prevents the gasoline from vaporizing and lets you get the most from your purchase.

3. Minimize Idling Your Engine When It’s Sensible To Do So

Idling your engine (having your car sit still while the engine is running) is one of the leading causes of fuel waste. When you’re sitting still, you’re still using fuel, which can dig into your gas mileage.

Idling is unavoidable in many situations, like waiting at a stoplight or an active railroad crossing. However, in many ways, idling is to fuel as checking your smartphone repeatedly is to time. You don’t realize how much you’ve wasted until it’s too late.

An article from Georgia Commute Options, citing the U. S. Department of Energy, describes how idling influences fuel consumption. They claim running your engine at a stop for over 10 seconds uses as much gas as a restart. Shifting your car into Neutral at a stop eases the load on your engine, making it use less fuel than keeping it in Drive.

Many newer vehicles have an auto shutoff feature to save gas. However, it may not be advisable for owners of older vehicles to adopt this practice. Instead, we recommend making subtle changes to your behavior to reap the benefits of reducing your engine’s idling time.

You can save fuel while driving in the following ways:

  • Shift to Neutral when at a stoplight or waiting for a train to cross.
  • Coast your vehicle (ease up on the gas pedal) when approaching a stop before braking.
  • Only start your vehicle when you are ready to move. 

Another thing you can do is ease up on using restaurant drive-thrus. Imagine all the fuel you’re burning while waiting in the car to place your order and pick up your food.

You would save gas by parking and ordering inside the restaurant. You can save even more time by calling ahead or using the restaurant’s app to place your order before picking it up.

As you can see, the tiniest changes can leave the biggest impacts, especially regarding fuel costs. Keeping your living expenses manageable is possible by being more mindful of your driving and refueling habits.

One final note: it might help to brush up on some basic auto maintenance knowledge. Part of keeping your car running smoothly is doing some regular maintenance. After all, those lights on the dashboard aren’t just for show!

First Florida is your partner when it comes to saving at the pump. Check out our Diamond Rewards Visa Credit Card. Your everyday purchases earn points that you can use for gas, cash back, and more.

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