5 Tips to Save Money at the Pump

Although the day of the gas guzzler may be over and hybrids are flooding the market, gas prices tend to fluctuate and everybody likes to pay less to fill their tank no matter what kind of car you drive. Besides making a mental note of which gas station has the cheapest prices, there are other ways to find gas savings. One such way is to monitor when you fill the tank.

• Avoid filling the tank when the gas tanker is refilling the station's supply. The turbulence caused by their deposit of gas can mix up debris and silt that can get into your tank. These foreign particles can affect the performance of your car.
• Take advantage of gas discounts available by grocery food chains and credit card companies. Many companies provide gas discount incentives which can really add up if used frequently.
• The myths that filling your tank when it is half full or empty have been debunked by modern technology. Most cars have vapor locks in the tank which allow for minimal vapor loss and keep the liquid fuel in a liquid state.
• Historically, the best day of the week to get gas is on a Wednesday. Prices are usually highest on a Monday or a Thursday. Also, do not fill your tank before the weekend – especially before a three-day weekend since this is when gas prices tend to be highest.
• Some gas stations will give a discount for paying in cash.

Some other controversial methods for saving at the pump involve filling up in the morning when the temperatures are cooler. It has been said that warmer temperatures increase vapor content in the gasoline and decrease the amount of liquid that goes in your tank. Also, filling the tank more slowly will reduce the turbulence inside the tank and limit vapor creation. Both of these theories have been largely contested so the only real way to know is to experiment for yourself.


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