6 ways to save at the gas pump as prices rise
Apr 24, 2018, 9:11 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 11:20 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Unless you haven’t driven a car in the past month, you’ve likely noticed the soaring gas prices all around Utah. The current AAA average for a gallon of regular gas sold in Utah now stands at $3.039, nearly 50 cents higher than just a month ago.
Fortunately, there are ways, short of buying a more fuel-efficient car, to save money at the gas pump.
Keep your windows up
Open windows increase air resistance, or drag, especially on the open road. The faster you drive, the harder your engine fights to overcome drag, so the more gas it burns.
Shut off the air conditioning
The A/C’s compressor draws power from the engine as it eats your fuel economy, by anywhere from 3 percent to 10 percent when it’s hot outside, according to studies by Consumer Reports and SAE International.
Air conditioning vs. windows
If it’s hot enough that you have to choose between open windows or flipping on the A/C, roll down the windows. Testing by General Motors and SAE International found running the A/C burns more gas than rolled down windows by a couple miles to the gallon.
Keep tires properly inflated
Keeping tires inflated at the right pressure saves money. The Department of Energy estimates we waste more than a billion gallons of gas every year because of under-inflated tires. You’ll find the right pressure on a sticker inside the driver’s door, or in the owner’s manual.
Don’t buy premium gas, unless your car needs
Unless your car has a high-performance or turbo-charged engine you can quit buying the pricey, premium gas. A recent AAA study found no to very little benefit to running premium gas in a car that only requires regular. Use the octane listed on your gas cap or on the car’s fuel door. If it’s not there, it’s in the manual.
Keep a light foot on the gas
Many of us might drive 5 or 10 miles above speed limit on the highways, but it takes a toll on mileage. Researchers at Consumer Reports test driving a Honda Accord found speeding up to 75 mph from 65 mph, dropped the mileage by 5 mph. The faster we go, the more fuel it takes the car to power through the drag.
