How to Save Money on Gas

What Car Shoppers Need to Know

• Gas prices are spiking, but there are steps consumers can take to minimize their costs at the pump.
• Changing your driving style can have a big impact on your fuel consumption.
• Maintaining your vehicle and removing extra weight can also help boost fuel economy.

As car shoppers navigate record-high vehicle prices, the rising costs of car ownership are extending even beyond the dealer lot to fuel prices, which are climbing fast. According to AAA, the national average for the price of regular gas is $3.48 per gallon, an increase of 20% in just the past several days. The average price for premium fuel is $4.34 per gallon and $4.66 per gallon for diesel (up 15% and 28% from this time in February, respectively).

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, putting the most fuel-efficient models at the top of your shopping list can reduce some of the burden at the pump. A new vehicle isn’t your only option to save money, however. Take the steps below to optimize your driving habits and fuel usage, which will add up to less costly fill-ups.

• Drive more gently.
• Remove unneeded weight.
• Use cruise control on the highway.
• Be up to date on vehicle maintenance.
• Use air conditioning on the highway.
• Remove cargo carriers and bulky roof racks.

AAA National Fuel Prices

Related: How to Save Gas While Driving

Change How You Drive

• Accelerate gently and lower your highway cruising speed.
• Using cruise control on the highway smooths out driver inputs better than you can.

You can save fuel immediately in whatever you drive by going easy on the accelerator. Jackrabbit starts and full-throttle acceleration increase fuel consumption dramatically. It’s a matter of degree: Light acceleration saves more fuel than moderate acceleration, so slow it down.

Top speed also plays a part. Most vehicles are most efficient when cruising in their top gear at a relatively low speed. For example, a car with a six-speed transmission would be most efficient in 6th gear at 40-55 mph. Wind resistance increases exponentially with speed, so as your pace increases from this point, fuel economy drops dramatically. According to AAA, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to fall significantly at speeds greater than 50 mph. Onboard trip computers that show instantaneous and average fuel economy are remarkably accurate — keep an eye on this and you’ll learn how to drive in a miserly fashion.

If you’re on the highway and conditions allow it, using cruise control can make a big difference even if you think you’re pretty consistent on the accelerator and brakes. According to the EPA, aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking lowers gas mileage by up to 30% at highway speeds. Using cruise control reduces these behaviors to help the vehicle’s engine and transmission operate more efficiently while increasing fuel economy.

Reduce Weight, Maintain Your Vehicle for the Best MPG

• Make your vehicle lighter by removing weight from clutter, trash and things you don’t need.
• Inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure listed on the doorjamb sticker, not the maximum pressure on the tire itself.
• Get any check-engine lights diagnosed and fixed.

Weight is fuel economy’s natural enemy, so removing unnecessary items or people from your car can translate to real fuel savings. This can be anything from extra clutter to stuff you simply don’t need, like that winter emergency kit in the summer months.

Keeping your tires inflated properly and your engine running right is critical to efficient motoring — underinflated tires can lower your fuel economy by several miles per gallon. Get the correct tire pressure amount from the sticker on your car’s doorjamb or the owner’s manual, not the tire’s sidewall.

Even if your car seems to be running well, if you have a check-engine warning light on, that could represent a dead oxygen sensor or some other emissions control problem that causes the vehicle to waste several miles per gallon. Take your vehicle to a repair shop as soon as the check-engine light comes on to minimize the waste.

Open the Windows or Use Air Conditioning?

• If your car has been in the sun, run with the windows down first to cool it off, then turn on the air conditioning.

This is an age-old riddle. Unlike a car’s heater, which uses free engine heat to warm the cabin, the air conditioner robs engine power and lowers fuel economy. Which approach is better? It’s not as simple as one or the other.

If your car has been sitting in the sun and is hotter than the outside air, drive for a few minutes with the windows open to cool off. Then, if you’re hitting the highway, close ’em up and turn on the air conditioning, and punch the “recirculation” button for even greater cooling efficiency. Aerodynamics are more important at high speeds, so if you’re driving below 35-40 mph, open windows won’t make as much difference.

It also depends on the vehicle. The detriment from driving with the windows down is greater, say, in a Chevrolet Corvette, which has excellent aerodynamics, than in a Jeep Wrangler, which has … none. The same applies to convertibles: You’ll burn less fuel with the top up.

Remove Rooftop Carriers and Bulky Racks

Speaking of aerodynamics, rooftop carriers and bike and ski racks don’t do you any favors even when they’re empty (they also add fuel-gobbling weight). Neither do light bars, running boards or trailer hitch balls. If you keep all your cargo inside the car, you’ll slip through the wind better. Also, remove aftermarket add-ons such as bug deflectors, and window and sunroof wind deflectors. By design, these items work by wrecking your aerodynamics. Sure, bug entrails on your windshield are gross, but they don’t cost you any fuel.

Should You Use Regular or Premium Fuel?

• Using cheaper regular gas in a car that says premium is “recommended” is usually not harmful.
• If your car says premium “required,” use only that fuel; turbocharged or supercharged engines should stick to only using premium.

Lower-octane fuel costs less, but should you use it in your vehicle? Most modern cars that call for premium fuel can run on regular gasoline without knocking or any long-term penalty. Technically, this makes the car less efficient, but not to a degree that negates the cost savings from the cheaper fuel grade.

Important note: This is true of cars for which premium is recommended, not required. If in doubt, look for terms such as “for best performance” and “recommended” as opposed to “only” or “required.” If your car has a turbocharger or supercharger, you should stick with premium fuel. Of course, if your car calls for regular gasoline, there’s no reason to run it on anything higher in octane. Higher octane gasoline provides no benefit in vehicles designed to run on regular gas.

Find the Cheapest Gas Station Online

While driving around town scouring for the lowest gas prices will likely cancel out any potential fuel savings, drivers can plan ahead and research gas station pricing. The EPA’s gas price search tool and apps like GasBuddy can help drivers identify the most affordable gas prices nearby and plan their trips for optimal fuel efficiency.

More From Cars.com:

• If My Car Recommends Regular Gas, Is It Good to Use Premium Occasionally?
• Coasting on Fumes: How Much Gas Is Really Left in Your Tank?
• The 12 Most Fuel-Efficient New Cars You Can Buy for Under $35,000
• What Are the Most Fuel-Efficient Cars?
• More Fuel-Efficiency News
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