5 Ways to Save Money on Gas

These are tough economic times, no doubt at all about it. While of course things will eventually turn around, the near future is especially unclear. Everyone would like to save a little money and one of the largest expenses eating away at household budgets these days is the cost of gasoline.

Given the high price of gas currently, it makes sense to save some money on gas - but it may not be possible for you to curtail your driving, or you have already done so as much as possible. How else can you save on the portion of your budget which goes to gas? There are a few things you can do to keep this cost down; keep reading for some helpful hints on stretching your gas dollar. You'll save money while helping the environment by using less fossil fuel. It's a win-win situation.

1) Fill your tank in the morning. Like any other liquid, gasoline expands when heated and contracts when cooled. Since gas is sold by volume, not weight this is a great way to shave a little off your costs at the pump. Fill up in the morning or at night when temperatures are cooler and you'll be getting more gasoline for the same price. Try to avoid filling up at noon unless it is unavoidable.

2) Start braking a little earlier than usual when approaching a stoplight. You'll use less gas if you coast up to that red light - the savings won't be immediately apparent, but this can really add up over the course of a year.

3) Keep an eye on your tire pressure. This is a big money saver. If your tires are not properly inflated, you could be losing a lot of money on gas. Your car will get the most mileage out of your tank when your tires are inflated to the appropriate level - this can save you between 10% and 20% on your gasoline costs! Check your tire pressure regularly.

4) Get your engine serviced regularly. Now it can be expensive to have your engine serviced, but trust me - an engine which is working properly uses gas far more efficiently and this expense will pay for itself easily.

5) Use a gas card. Using a gas card from http://www.gascardtoday.com is a great way to save money on gas - when you buy a gas card, you lock in the price of gas at the time it was purchased, meaning if prices rise this will not affect you (until the card is used up). There are also often discounts associated with these gas cards. They are available in various denominations and are offered by most gas stations. These are a real money saver and also make a great gift!

We could all use a break these days and saving money on gas just makes sense. You can bank the money which you save on gasoline, use it towards other important expenses or even buy yourself a reward for your good sense and thrift!