Save Money on Gas: 8 Ways to Control What you Pay at the Pump

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When gas prices soar, so does driver anxiety. After all, we all need gas to get where we need to go. And while you can easily reduce vacation miles on the road, most employers won't take it well if you try to explain that you simply can't afford to get to work. Instead of offering you the opportunity to work from home or a raise to cover the expense, you are likely to be relieved of your gas woes by being relieved of your workload – permanently. And in addition to on-the-job responsibilities, there are children to chauffer and errands to run. So what can you do?

Since you can't give up driving, you might want to consider making a few changes in your routine so that you can stay behind the wheel without spending too much of your hard-earned cash.

8 Ways to Save Money on Gas

1. Buy regular gasoline, bypassing the upgrades. Experts have determined that unless a car is listed by the manufacturer as needing a specific type of fuel, purchasing the lower priced regular is the best way to save money on gas.
2. Secure a gasoline credit card. Why would you want to do this? Because many credit card companies offer a rebate of anywhere from 2% to 15% on gasoline purchases and may have other incentive programs available to help you to save money on gas. The savings can really add up, so shop around for the best deal. Pay the credit card off each month to make sure that you don't have to worry about interest.
3. "Chain" several errands into a single trip on a warm engine instead of making separate short trips throughout the day. According to Consumer Reports, fuel economy is worst on short trips. The consumer watch dog states that short trips "create the most exhaust emissions and cause the most engine wear."
4. Pay attention to when you buy your gasoline. Believe it or not, gasoline is denser in the mornings and in the late evenings when the air is cooler, chilling the gas. And some weeks, particularly those in the Fall and in the Spring, can have big temperature swings from day to day. Check the forecasts before buying gas. Since gas pumps measure volume and not density, experts report that you’ll save money on gas by paying attention to when you fill up.
5. Easing the load on your car is an effective way to save money on gas. Keep its exterior clean and free of things that can drag it down, causing it to work harder. Remove roof racks, bike racks, and heavy trailer hitches when not in use. In fact, try not to use them at all as they can increase your car's gasoline usage by as much at 3% - 6%. Look in your trunk and ask yourself if everything in there actually needs to be there. If not, find a new home for it.
6. Take care of your car. An engine that is not well-cared may end up using up to 20% more gasoline than its coddled counterparts. Things like emissions problems, improper alignment, poor tires, an overdue oil change, and dirty filters can all cause your car to consume more than its fair share of fuel.
7. Conduct a little Internet research. For example, GasBuddy.com will help you to save money on gas by showing you who has the lowest gas prices near you or near where you are headed. It can be quite convenient to know your options when on the road.
8. Don't be in such a hurry to get where you are going. Start out earlier if needed, but do slow down. Driving faster means using more gas. Taking the speedometer only 10 miles over the posted limit can mean up to a 25% increase in fuel usage.