13 Tips To Help You Save Money on Gas

Americans love their cars, whether they're commuting to work or planning a road trip vacation. But all that time on the road is costly: Each year, Americans spend about $5,000 on gas for their vehicles. While there's no way to get your gas budget down to $0 without going fully electric, you can take steps to save money on gas. Driving more efficiently, decreasing your load, finding cheaper gas and joining loyalty programs can all help you save money.

To understand how to save money on gas, it's helpful to think about what impacts gas consumption. These factors all impact how much gas you use:

1. The make and model of your car. In general, larger cars and trucks with larger engines use more gas than small cars with small engines. Newer vehicles are generally more fuel-efficient than older models, and hybrids get better gas mileage than traditional engines. You can compare the fuel efficiency of various vehicles on the Environmental Protection Agency website.
2. How much you drive. The more time you spend behind the wheel, the more you'll spend on gas.
3. Your car's maintenance. Certain regular maintenance items can actually improve your fuel economy.
4. Your driving style. Driving quickly or aggressively can drastically reduce your fuel economy.
5. What you're carrying. The more weight your engine is moving, the more gas it will burn.

Ready to start saving? Here's how to begin saving money on gas.

One of the best ways to save money on gas is also the simplest: Slow down. Speeding is incredibly expensive. On average, each 5 mph of additional speed over 50 mph costs you an additional 26 cents per gallon in fuel costs. That means slowing down can save you 26 to 51 cents per gallon, a savings that adds up dramatically. You can use cruise control to maintain an efficient speed.

One of the best ways to reduce the amount of money you spend on gas is by driving more smoothly. Aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by up to 40%—meaning you'll spend tons more money at the pump. To save money, avoid rapid acceleration and unnecessary braking.

Gas prices are always changing, but research shows they're generally lowest on Monday. Fill up then to save.

Planning ahead can help you minimize your driving, which ultimately saves you money at the pump. Coordinate your grocery run to line up with school pickup, or go to the gym right after work. If you do lots of driving, utilize a route planning app like Route4Me to design the most efficient route.

Gas prices vary widely, so finding a cheaper gas station can save you a lot of money, especially if you're a repeat customer. Apps can do the work for you: GasBuddy, Gas Guru and AAA all help you find cheaper gas. If you're going on a road trip, remember that gas prices fluctuate from state to state, so try to fill up where it's cheaper.

Idling can burn up to 4 cents of fuel per minute. That might not sound like much, but it adds up. As a rule of thumb, if you're going to be sitting for more than 10 seconds, it's more efficient to turn off your car.

Next time you fill up, check your tire pressure. Having the right PSI can help your vehicle run up to 3% more efficiently and save you money at the pump. The recommended PSI for your vehicle is usually listed on a sticker inside the driver's door.

Each 100 pounds of extra weight you carry can reduce your fuel efficiency by about 1%. This is especially true for small vehicles, which are equipped to carry less weight than trucks and SUVs. So, unload your golf clubs, camping gear or instruments until you need them.

Using the right type of engine oil can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 2%, saving you up to 7 cents per gallon. Follow the recommendations in your owner's manual about what type of oil is best for your car. Then, look for that type with a label that says "energy conserving."

Rooftop carriers give you more storage space but drastically reduce fuel economy. In fact, they can reduce fuel economy by up to 25% at highway speeds. If you need more space, opt for a carrier that mounts to the back of your vehicle, which only reduces fuel economy by up to 5%. If you must use a rooftop carrier, take it off when it's not in use.

Gas station and credit card loyalty and rewards programs can help you save money on gas. Many gas station chains offer cards that reduce the price of fuel. And though these savings are small, they add up.

Many homes have more than one vehicle. In that case, you can drastically reduce your fuel costs by taking the more efficient vehicle when possible. This sounds simple but can save families an average of $400 per year.

Reducing the amount you drive by even 10% can have a big impact. So, consider taking public transportation or carpooling once a week. These small shifts could add up.

Cars are an essential part of life for most Americans. Making small changes to your driving habits can help you save money at the pump—and that means more funds for adventures or personalizing your vehicle.

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