Saving at the Pump

Most people aren't aware that they aren't getting what they paid for at the pump. Here are some strategies to get the most for your dollar on your next refueling.


 * Don't Fill Up - Gasoline is heavy at roughly 8 lbs per gallon. In a larger vehicle, a half tank of gas can approach the weight of another adult passenger. More weight requires more power to overcome its inertia, thus reducing your fuel economy marginally. Some times we have to fill up for a long drive, but avoid it if At all possible. Two stops for a half tank is more efficient than one in one. If you are going to fil up, pay attention to how much faster your vehicle burns through the top half of the tank.
 * Pump Slowly - A gas pump hose cntains two lines, one for fuel delivery and the other a vapor return that vacuums gaseous gasoline back into the gas stations underground tank. The slower you pump your gas, the less agitated it is while being moved and thus the less vapor is created to be returned. This means more gas in your tank.
 * Time your Refueling - The best time to pump your gas is early in the morning before the sun has had a chance to warm the underground tank at the gas station. Even after the sun rises, it takes hours for this warm up to occur, so don't feel like you need to be out there at 4 AM to see the benefits. The gasoline is at its coolest temperature at this time, and thus is more liquid and dense - essentially you're cramming more molecules into the liquid without increasing its volume and preventing the creation of vapors.
 * Cheap is not Best - the cheapest gas in town likely isn't the best. Find a service station with a reliablly good product. Bad gas in your tank will very quickly cost hundreds of times more than the pennies you saved.