CHARLOTTE — North Carolina’s pause on the gas tax will end at the end of the month, and that means drivers could see rising prices in the near future.
Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke wants to make sure you save on gas now and then. He’s compiled a list of seven ways to save at the pump, and they’re things you can start today.
1. Consider removing cargo racks
We all know big cargo racks create drag and hurt gas mileage. But bike, boat, and other roof attachments can too, even empty. Studies say as much as 25%. So consider removing yours if you aren’t using it.
2. Get discounts through rewards programs
Discounts. Some places let you stack them, layer them on each other. Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke did some shopping for you and one jumped out him: Sheetz says you can use all three of certain rewards programs at their stores “for a triple dose of savings!” on the same purchase.
3. Avoid idling
Energy officials say idling can “use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour.” Like Kelley Blue Book points out, “That might not seem like a lot at first, but consider how many times you’ve started your car 20-30 minutes before leaving the house in the morning or how long you’ve waited in the school pickup line with the engine running. The costs add up more quickly than you think.” Yes, turning off and restarting your ride may be better.
4. Let your vehicle warm up, but don’t overdo it
If you have an older car, you may want to let your engine warm up a bit before going anywhere. Like this car dealer says, “Cold engines burn more fuel than warm ones, and giving your vehicle a moment to warm up... can result in improved fuel combustion.” Of course, don’t idle too long. Just a minute or two.
But, if you have a newer car warming usually isn’t necessary. It may even be worse. Stoogenke tested it, running four errands: the library, Food Lion, post office, and Bojangles. First, he did them all in a row so the engine would stay warm throughout. The second time, he did them separately so the engine would cool and have to re-warm.
The result: he got about three miles per gallon more by staggering the errands, not grouping them.
5. Highway v. city driving
Traditionally, you got better gas mileage on the highway because you weren’t stopping and starting so much. So you may be inclined to take a longer route if it means smoother sailing. And that’s still true for many cars. But some sources point out “hybrids... flip the script entirely.” This one says it well: “Every time you slow down or stop, the electric motor acts as a generator, converting motion back into electrical energy stored in the battery. This recovered energy is then used to assist the engine during the next acceleration cycle.” So make sure you know your car. You may be better off doing the shorter route even if it’s more stop-n-go.
6. Ethanol has some benefits, depending on your needs
Ethanol. There are positives. For one, it tends to be cheaper than gas without it.
But it’s usually worse for gas mileage. So, at some point, ethanol-free gas is more cost effective. The U.S. Department of Energy says you’ll get 3-4% fewer miles per gallon on E10, 4-5% fewer on E15, and 15%-27% fewer on E85 than you would on pure gas. The math gets complicated, but don’t worry. Stoogenke put an easy calculator here for you:
7. A farther drive for cheaper gas could be worth it
You may be willing to drive a little farther for cheaper gas. But go too far and you could use more gas than it’s worth. How do you know? Easy. Use this calculator to help you decide if it’s cost effective.
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