Gas prices are still pretty high, but there are ways to save money on gas other than just waiting for the price to drop or cutting back on long road trips. You can play games with the pump and even cut costs by changing your own oil, but here are seven hacks that will help you save money on gas at the pump.
1. Don't you dare use premium gas
Using premium gas when you don't need it is just wasting money. Most cars today require regular grades. If your owner's manual states that premium fuel is required, then go for it. Otherwise, stick to the regular stuff and save yourself some cash while filling up at the pump.
This is one of the biggest scams in America besides banks still charging overdraft fees. You might have heard that cars work better with high-octane gas, but that's just not true anymore. Most cars run perfectly fine on regular gasoline these days and there are bigger benefits to running premium and it'll cost you less than $10 a tank.
2. Use an app to track gas prices
Sites like GasBuddy and Websites like Pearland-News.com, which has a daily updated fuel price analysis, are great tools to use when hunting for the cheapest gas option in your area. You can even sign up to receive alerts so you'll know when discounted gas cards prices drop.
There's an app for everything nowadays and there are apps that can help you save money on gas by tracking the price at your local stations. There are even apps that will tell you which station is offering the lowest price in your neighborhood.
3. Know when to buy gas
There's no exact science to knowing which day is the cheapest to buy gas, but Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the best days. Thursdays and Fridays get busy which will cause the prices at the pump to go up.
Saturday and Sunday are also notoriously crazy days at the pump due to vacationers traveling home from their weekly trips. Avoid buying gas on these days if you can.
There are only a few times it's cheaper to buy gas and that is on Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday or if it's an off-peak time. Peak hours usually begin around 6 am and end at 9 pm while off-peak hours are 10 pm - 6 am. If you can, try to hold off on stopping until after 9 pm.
4. Use a gas credit card for points and rewards
This is another best gas-saving tip you must know. There are literally hundreds of credit cards available nowadays that offer rewards for gas purchases, but the MasterCard Shell Gas Rebate Credit Card is currently offering up to 20 cents off per gallon at certain stations. There's no annual fee and you only have to make one purchase during your first three months to receive this benefit.
Credit cards are great for any purchases, but they're even better if you'll be making multiple purchases from the same merchant over time. Example: ExxonMobil is partnering with MasterCard to offer customers an ExxonMobil credit card that will give 5 cents off every gallon of gas they buy.
5. Fill up your tank at the cheapest time possible
The cheapest time to buy gas is typically around 6 pm. It's when most people stop filling up their tanks, so the demand is low which leads to lower prices. Fill up your tank whenever you can during off-peak hours and if you happen to be leaving work at 6 pm, then that's the best time to get your tank filled up.
There's no exact science to knowing the cheapest time to buy gas, but you can save money on gas by simply filling up your tank during off-peak hours if possible and that usually starts around 6pm.
By understanding how much it costs to fill up and what times you should avoid, you can save a ton of money over time. One good rule is to avoid filling up on Sunday because it will cost the most in a week. Fill up in the middle of the week and you'll save a nice chunk.
6. Don't wait until your tank is empty to fill up
It's better for your wallet if you don't wait until your car is on E before filling up again because then you're spending that much more money on gas. The numbers get even worse if you wait until your tank is completely empty to fill up because then you're spending the most money out of anyone who has ever filled up in history.
7. Know when your car will be needing an oil change soon
An easy way to save money on gas at the pump is by knowing when you'll need an oil change. You might be tempted to wait as long as possible, but it's better to go ahead and get your oil changed before you hit 3,000 miles because that can save you about 10 percent on gas over time.
Conclusion
The more you know about how gas prices work, the better you can save money on gas at the pump. By understanding when it's cheapest to fill up and when to grab the best deals, you'll be saving big bucks in no time. Besides, you should visit CouponUpto to get more savings tips. We share tips and tricks and bring smart saving solutions for everyone.
