Basic physics tells us that what goes up must come down. Texas drivers are hoping this is the case with skyrocketing high gas prices. Pair high gas prices with increasing grocery costs, and several families are looking for ways to balance their budgets. Here are ten ways to counter high gas prices:
- Alter Your Driving Habits
Think outside the box when it comes to driving your car. The idea here is to change the driving habits that cause you to keep going to the gas pump and having to deal with high gas prices. Plan out your week and combine multiple errands in one trip. Opt for walking or cycling whenever possible. It’s important to examine your driving habits and eliminate any unnecessary trips. You may also consider carpooling if that is a possibility.
- Properly Maintain Car and Change Driving Behavior
Brad Parker says, “Driving at a slower speed and using cruise control could be your greatest fuel savers. Keeping up with maintenance ensures your car is in its best condition and using fuel as efficiently as possible.”
- Take Advantage of Fuel and Grocery Rewards Programs
Many gas stations have rewards program, and it would be a waste not to take advantage of that. If you enroll in their fuel rewards program, you can collect points that may equal discounts whenever you fill up. Just like your favorite gas station, the grocery stores where you buy your necessities may have loyalty programs that include gas rewards. This is an easy way to combat those high gas prices.
- Use Apps to Shop Around
Some gas stations in certain areas will price gouge. A good way to avoid that is by using apps like Waze or GasBuddy to find the least expensive gas prices in your area. These apps can be especially helpful on summer road trips where drivers are less familiar with the area.
- Ensure Your Tires are Inflated Correctly
If tires are underinflated, you will likely burn more fuel per mile than when your tires are correctly inflated. You could be wasting at least a dollar for every mile you drive around. If you want to maximize the efficiency of your fuel, ensure that your tires are properly inflated. Brad says, “If your car tires are worn out, the grip is lost. As a result, they spin more to move. This can be a major reason which can cause your car to consume more fuel, and can also be a danger to yourself and others on the road, or even cause a car accident.”
- Try Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil can make a significant difference in your engine by improving its efficiency, you can expect synthetic oil to pay off in boosting the life of your engine.
- Buy Fuel Using a Cash Back Credit Card
Credit cards can provide fantastic rewards, including discounts on gas pumps. There are different conditions to use these rewards depending on the credit card, but either way, it’s a discount. Just make sure to pay off your balance to avoid incurring more charges.
- Trade in for a Smaller Vehicle
“Many lifestyles don’t allow for switching to a smaller vehicle, but this is one surefire way to save on fuel costs,” Brad says. Owning a small car and then renting a bigger one when needed is a lot less expensive and helps save on the high gas prices. This way, you won’t be taking the full brunt of the costs of operating and maintaining a big car that isn’t fully utilized most of the time.
- Don’t Overload Your Car
You can improve fuel efficiency by not overloading your car since you aren’t putting pressure on the aerodynamics. When you place heavy cargo on the car’s roof, it likely puts a strain on your engine and affects your fuel mileage.
- Don’t Sit Idle
A short period of time is enough to consume gallons of your gas per hour. At the same time, it emits carbon dioxide that returns to the atmosphere. Consider turning off your engine and then restarting it instead of letting it idle for a while.
So many people are feeling the impacts of high gas prices and it isn’t something most feel good about. However, be sure to be kind on the roads and not let the high gas prices cause any road rage with other drivers!
