🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Download Gas Apps To Find the Lowest Prices Fast
Gas prices can feel like a rollercoaster you never asked to ride.
With gas apps, you’ll know exactly where to stop and save instead of wasting money guessing.
Use GasBuddy or Upside to spot cheaper stations near you.
Compare prices in real-time so you never overpay.
Get cash back rewards for every gallon. Yes, free money for driving.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a gas app before filling up and drive to the cheapest nearby station to save a few bucks instantly.
2. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated To Save on Every Trip
Flat tires don’t just slow you down. They eat your gas faster than you think.
Proper tire pressure helps your car run smoother and sip less fuel.
Check your tires monthly. Even small pressure drops lower fuel efficiency.
Use your car’s manual to find the exact recommended PSI.
Underinflated tires can cost you up to 3% more gas, every single trip.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use a tire pressure gauge before long drives and fill your tires to the right PSI at any gas station.
Make It Easy: Get a portable digital tire inflator that plugs into your car’s outlet and keeps your tires perfect anywhere.
3. Plan Errands Together To Drive Less and Save More
Quick trips add up fast, and so does the gas you waste.
Combine errands like a pro and save time, stress, and cash.
Map out your week and hit multiple spots in one route.
Avoid backtracking. It burns more fuel than you realize.
Plan during off-hours so you skip traffic and idling.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down your weekly stops, group nearby places, and finish them in one smooth loop.
4. Avoid Premium Gas Unless Your Car Truly Needs It
If your car doesn’t ask for premium, you’re just burning money. Literally.
Regular gas works perfectly fine for most cars, even the fancy ones.
Check your manual. If it doesn’t say “required,” skip premium.
Premium gas costs 40–60¢ more per gallon with no added benefit for most vehicles.
Save $5–$10 per fill-up by switching to regular without guilt.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Look up your car’s fuel type in the manual or online, and stick to the recommended grade.
Make It Easy: Keep a car organizer in your glovebox with your manual handy for quick checks.
5. Use Cruise Control on Highways To Save Fuel Automatically
Ever notice your foot gets heavy on long drives? That inconsistency burns gas.
Cruise control keeps your speed steady and your wallet happy.
Set cruise on flat roads for smoother acceleration.
Avoid sudden speed changes that waste gas fast.
Save up to 14% on highway fuel just by using it smartly.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Turn on cruise control once you hit the highway and let it keep your speed consistent for maximum savings.
Make It Easy: Use a non-slip steering wheel cover to stay comfortable during longer drives and reduce fidgeting.
6. Keep Tires Aligned To Prevent Wasting Gas
When your tires are out of alignment, your car drags like a toddler being pulled from a toy aisle.
That extra pull means more gas burned and less money left for coffee runs.
Misaligned tires make your engine work harder and waste fuel.
You’ll feel it when your steering wheel vibrates or pulls to one side.
A quick alignment check every 6 months can save you up to 10% in fuel costs.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Ask for a tire alignment next time you get an oil change to keep your car running efficiently.
Make It Easy: Get a portable tire tread depth gauge so you’ll know when uneven wear means it’s time for an alignment.
7. Track Your Gas Mileage To Spot Waste Fast
If you don’t know how much gas you’re burning, how can you fix it?
Tracking your mileage is like stepping on the scale. It’s eye-opening but necessary.
Reset your trip meter every fill-up and note your miles per gallon.
A sudden drop in mileage could mean low tire pressure or engine issues.
Small improvements like smoother driving add up to big monthly savings.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use your phone or car display to log mileage after every fill-up and spot waste early.
8. Use Membership Discounts Like Costco or Sam’s Club
Membership gas stations are like secret clubs where fuel prices are always lower.
You’ll feel like you’ve hacked adulthood every time you fill up.
Members save 10–40¢ per gallon, depending on location.
Discounts stack when you use gas reward cards.
Even after membership fees, the annual savings pay for themselves fast.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use your club card at the pump whenever you’re near a member station to save on every fill-up.
Make It Easy: Use Capital One Shopping to find discounted membership renewals or deals nearby.
9. Keep Your Engine Tuned for Maximum Mileage
A poorly tuned engine guzzles gas faster than a road trip snack disappears.
Keeping it maintained makes your car purr. And your wallet sighs in relief.
Replace spark plugs and air filters on schedule for smoother performance.
A tune-up can improve fuel economy by 4%–12%.
Regular oil changes help your car run cleaner and use less gas.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Schedule a tune-up every 6–12 months to keep your engine running efficiently.
10. Clean Out Your Car To Reduce Weight and Save Gas
Every extra pound in your car eats away at your gas mileage.
And no, your car doesn’t need to carry that old gym bag or three weeks’ worth of receipts.
Every 100 pounds removed saves about 1–2% on fuel.
Trunk clutter makes your car work harder to accelerate.
Lighter cars need less gas, plain and simple.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Empty your trunk weekly and toss anything you don’t use daily.
Make It Easy: Use a collapsible trunk organizer so you can easily remove or rearrange items when needed.
11. Avoid Idling Too Long While Waiting
If your car’s running but you’re parked, you’re just burning cash while doing nothing.
Unless you’re in Antarctica, your car doesn’t need to idle that long.
Idling for more than 10 seconds wastes more fuel than restarting your car.
Turn off your engine when waiting in parking lots or drive-thrus.
You’ll save up to half a gallon per hour by simply shutting it off.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Turn off your engine when stopped for more than a minute unless traffic or weather says otherwise.
Make It Easy: Keep a compact windshield sunshade in your car to stay cool without idling the AC.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
