KXLF

Posted: Dec 14, 2008 10:00 PM
Updated: May 7, 2009 10:08 AM

These days, pulling up to the pump can be a painful experience. Still, many of us end up wasting precious gas without even knowing it, according to Geoff Sundstrom, a gasoline expert for AAA. So try these tips to stretch your tank to the max.

1. Find the lowest price fast Before you leave the house, enter your zip code at Gas Buddy to discover the cheapest nearby place to fill up. A 30-second check can save you more than 30 cents a gallon for regular gas. If you need gas during a trip, skip stations on the highway, which usually have higher prices than those on smaller roads.

2. Consider a gas rebate credit card Some offer as much as 5 to 6 percent cash back on purchases. But there are some major catches: You might be limited to certain brands, the rebates might plunge to 2 percent after just a few weeks, and interest rates on purchases tend to be high. So if you carry a balance, your savings will quickly evaporate. In that case, you're better off with a lower-interest card that's not gas-related.

3. Fill up early...or late When the outside air is cool, gas becomes denser. That means you get more usable gas in each gallon you put into your tank.

4. Don't pump premium The quality isn't higher -- just the octane levels. Most of the time, unless you drive a sports car or another high-performance vehicle, premium is a waste of money. Check your manual to see if your car actually requires it. If not, you'll get exactly the same performance with the cheaper stuff.

5. Click the cap After filling up, make sure that your gas cap is completely closed. Each year, 147 million gallons of gas evaporate from tanks that aren't properly sealed.

6. Give your car some regular TLC You can improve your gas mileage by a whopping 19 percent if you keep your engine tuned, replace the air filter, make sure the tires are properly inflated, use the correct grade of motor oil and change it as soon as the light on the dash goes on.

7. De-junk the trunk Do you keep your golf clubs or tool set in the car? If so, you're paying for the convenience. For every 100 pounds you carry in the trunk, fuel economy decreases by 1 to 2 percent. An SUV's third row of removable seating can easily weigh that, so keep it in the garage when you're not using it.

8. Don't idle It burns a gallon of gas each hour. Keep down costs (and harmful emissions) by turning off your car when sitting still.

9. Stop speeding It's not only safer, but driving at high speeds can eat up 45 percent more gas per trip than sticking to the limit. In addition, the less you need to accelerate and brake, the less gas you consume. Also, switch on your car's cruise control whenever possible -- it's easy, economical and better for the environment.

10. Try scooting around town Does getting 80 miles per gallon sound good? Then consider buying a scooter for short trips and errands. They're easy to park, save wear and tear on your car, and they're, well, fun. Even better: get unlimited miles per gallon (and burn calories) by running your errands on a regular bike.