Tips and Tricks to maximize your purchase at the gas pumps

By: Scott Siegel


1. Buy your gas in the morning or evening

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.

It is not a good idea to drive your car until the gas tank is almost empty. Loose dirt that may have built up in the gasoline tank over time will get sucked into the engine. This is bad for the engine and will cause a your fuel economy to get worse.

You could get a double whammy in spending more for fuel.In addition to the loss of fuel economy if you are at empty you will have to fill your tank at the first station you come across and that usually will mean paying a higher price than you need to. The choice of where to gas up is taken away from you due to circumstance.

Try to keep your gas level above the quarter tank mark if possible. Plan to buy gasoline when your tank is between one quarter and one half full.

3. Save with a flick of the wrist, turn the nozzle

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.

Once you get into the habit of turning the hose you'll find yourself doing it without thinking. That extra half cup that you get each time that you fill your gas tank can add up to a lot of extra gas at the end of the year that you would have otherwise left for the next motorist.

If you fill up once a week and you can squeeze an extra half cup out of the hose each time, that would be 52 half cups per year. That would equate to 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.

Article Source: http://www.articleyard.com


Information about the Author:

Scott Siegel has written a 143 page book of automotive industry insider information on saving gas and money at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
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