Tips To Save Money With Gas Prices On The Rise
In case you haven't noticed at the pumps or on about every third Facebook post, gas prices are on the rise. No matter who or what you think is to blame for the almost daily price per gallon increase as of late, it's happening.
I've noticed many who have electric cars, mostly Tesla owners, like to brag about not needing gasoline with the way things are. While they make a good point, let's face it, the US doesn't have the infrastructure to support an instant change to all electric vehicles. For those of us still burning fossil fuels, what are some of the best ways to save what we spend at the fuel pumps?
Think about your driving habits and adjust them
It's simple things you can do like making less trips to the store which might take a little planning. Think of things like if you normally get groceries twice a week, try to drop that to once. I personally probably head to a store of some sort at least three times a week after I've parked my truck for the day. Also consider carpooling with your significant other or co-workers if it's appropriate for your work schedules, and where your jobs are located. Simple planning could save you potentially several gallons of gasoline or diesel a week.
Give your car a tune up
Things like misfiring spark plugs and dirty air filters can hinder the fuel economy your vehicle is getting. Even dirty oil might be robbing you of a few MPGS, so get that changed and make sure your tires are set at the appropriate tire pressure. Fuel system cleaners can help out your vehicle's mileage too, and a popular one from local mechanics I know is BG 44k Platinum. Yes, some of those things cost money even if you do it yourself, but in the long run you'll potentially save over time. Also, consider how much crap you have rolling around in or jam packed in your trunk or truck bed, extra weight hurts fuel economy.
Buy a motorcycle to save money on gas
Sure, it's still snowy in a lot of places currently, but winter will be over soon. Motorcycles generally get better gas mileage than cars and trucks. Admittedly, bike prices have been high lately but spending a few grand on a motorcycle before the summer purchase surge might be a good idea. Especially if you put on a lot of miles each week, even commuting with something that doubles your normal vehicle mileage will be big savings. Plus, motorcycles are more fun than boring daily driver cars.
Take the bus
I'll be the first to admit that even this one is hard for me to want to do. Not because I don't like riding buses, but because you are at the mercy of the scheduled routes. It may not be ideal for everyone, but if you're a simple 9-5 employee with no kids needing pickups, you could consider a bus pass. The Duluth Transit Authority always has great deals and incentives to ride the city bus and save some money on gasoline.
Use a gas or rideshare app
I personally haven't tried any gas apps like GetUpside or Gasbuddy, but I know a few people that have. While their results with discounts and cash back from using apps when purchasing fuel haven't been that incredible, they do get something for using them. If you put on a lot of miles, consider checking into some of these apps and maybe you'll be surprised at the results. Along the line of apps, consider trying a rideshare one like Sidecar, which runs background checks on drivers and can set you up with someone to roll along with, maybe for less than what you pay for fuel depending on your vehicle.
Skip the remote start
Something nice in the colder temps is a vehicle remote start, and more and more vehicles come with them from the factory now. It's even nice in warmer climates to crank it over before you get in and let that air conditioning cool things off. Remote starting a car means while it's sitting there running, you're essentially getting zero miles per gallon. Maybe don't completely stop using it but try cutting the time you let it run in half to save on the wasted fuel.
Ride a bicycle to save money on gas
It might take you longer to where you're going, and weather can impede riding a bike of course. Even with that, it's an option that costs you nothing for fuel. Also, the health benefits of riding a bike are huge, and most of us sleep better with some exercise and fresh air.
There are plenty of ways to cut down on how much you spend on gasoline, what would you add to this list?