When it comes to saving on fuel, there are plenty of tried-and-tested methods. For example, you can buy a more efficient vehicle or you can cut down on unnecessary driving. But what if you want to think outside the box? What if you want to try something that’s just a little bit different than what everyone else is doing? If that’s the case, then this article is definitely for you! We’re going to cover 8 unusual but effective ways to save money at the gas station. Let’s get started!
Fuel Up Your Vehicle Before Sunrise
The best time to fill up your tank is when the temperature outside is low. The reason is: fuel expands as it gets warmer. So if you fill up in the afternoon when the temperature and humidity are high, your fuel tank will fill up quicker. But when it’s cold in the morning, fuel will contract and more of it will fill up your tank. So by filling up earlier in the day, you’ll get more fuel for the same amount of money. If getting up early in the morning is not possible for you, try refueling late at night.
Turn On Air Conditioners At High Speed
Air conditioners use a lot of power, which means you burn more gas when they’re running. This is especially true if you have an older car that doesn’t have an energy-efficient air conditioning unit. But it’s not necessarily true that the higher the speed, the more gas you’ll use. In fact, there’s a sweet spot where you can get more efficient cooling with less power usage. So when driving at speeds above 70 km/hour, turn on your air conditioner and close all the windows. This will reduce the amount of power used and save fuel costs in the long run. And you can use the saved money for something important like an insurance plan through NRMA.
Reduce The Weight You Are Carrying
If you’re trying to save money on fuel, one of the easiest ways to do it is to reduce the weight of your car. You can go through your car and remove unnecessary items, such as your spare tire, any tools that are in the trunk or under the hood, and any other heavy items that you don’t need on a daily basis. This will make it easier for your engine to turn over, which means that it won’t have to work as hard when running. This, in turn, will help save on fuel costs and may even extend the life of your vehicle.
Take Longer Routes If It Is Smoother Driving
Sometimes, the shortest route isn’t necessarily the best one. If you’re driving on rough roads, you’re going to use more fuel than if you were driving on smooth roads. This is because rough roads increase drag and slow your vehicle down — which means it takes more time and effort for your engine to get up to speed again. And the longer it takes your vehicle to accelerate, the more fuel it uses. So if you can find a longer route that’s smoother than the one you usually take, take it!
Drive As If You Have A Bowl Of Water On The Passenger Seat
Driving with an imaginary bowl of water on the passenger seat is an old trick that can help you save on fuel. To make things more effective, you can even put a real bowl of water on your passenger seat! It will give you a visual reminder to slow down because if you’re going too fast, the water will spill out. It will also encourage you to be gentle with your acceleration and deceleration, which will help save on wear and tear and reduce the overall amount of fuel needed during your drive.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Tire pressure is something that most drivers don’t really pay attention to, but it can have a significant impact on how much fuel your car uses. A study by Michelin found that reducing tire pressure by just two pounds per square inch (PSI) can increase fuel consumption by 0.4 percent. That may not sound like much, but it may have a significant impact on your fuel consumption over a long period.
Do Not Always Switch Off Your Engine On Traffic Signals
There is a common practice of switching off the engine when you come to a stop at a traffic signal or a junction. But this is a big waste of fuel and money. Your car consumes a significant amount of fuel when you start it again after switching it off. So, keep your engine running while waiting at signals and junctions to save on fuel expenses.
Now You’ve Got More Money!
If you are ready to change your driving habits and reduce your fuel costs, there are plenty of ways to do it. It may take a little extra time and effort upfront, but the benefits will follow quickly. Start by adopting one of these tips each week, and see where they take you. Before you know it, these changes will have saved you hundreds of dollars on fuel!