Gasoline becomes denser in colder temperatures. Gas pumps are set to measure the volume of the fuel that you pump and not the density. If gas is denser then you are actually getting more gas in a gallon than you are getting when it is warmer and less dense.
In the morning's cooler air, or in the evening's cooler air, you'll be getting more fuel and better gas price economy. There can also be an added benefit. Filling your tank in the evening can help you avoid wasting fuel idling while waiting for a gas pump to open up during peak hours.
2. Don't let your gas tank get empty, fill up sooner.
Try not to drive your car until the gas gauge is on or close to empty. All the loose dirt that may have built up in your gas tank over time will be sucked into the engine. This is not good for the engine and will cause a marked drop in the MPG of your car.
In fact, driving till empty can create a double whammy. Not only will you use more gas because your engine starts to run poorly, you can find yourself buying gas at a higher price. If you are at empty you will have to gas up at the first station you come across or risk running out of gas. That usually means paying a higher price than you should. The choice of where to gas up is taken away from you due to circumstance. You no longer have the option to find the station with the best prices.
If at all possible maintain your gas level above the quarter tank mark. Plan to purchase fuel when your tank is between half and a quarter tank.
3. Save gas with a flick of the wrist!
If you turn the nozzle of the gas pump hose a full 180 degrees when you have finished filling up your gas tank you might end up with as much as an extra half cup of fuel. By turning the nozzle you enable the fuel left in the nozzle to flow into your tank. In some instances this could be as much as a half cup of gas. If you don't do this you will provide the next customer filling up with an added bonus.
After a number of times making yourself turn the nozzle you'll find yourself doing it without thinking. An extra half cup can add up to a lot of gas at the end of the year.
If you buy gasoline once per week and you can get that extra half cup out of the nozzle each time, you would be 52 half cups per year ahead. That would be 1.625 gallons.
If you are a two car family that fills up each car once a week you would reap the benefit of over 3 gallons of "free" gas a year. Three free gallons of gas just by flicking your wrist.
These are just a few of many things you can do to maximize your fuel economy and gas purchases. Just thinking about gas and the things you can do will help you make a habit out of saving gas.
