The average American spends about $2,000 a year on gas and motor oil. Filling up your tank can make a major dent in your wallet, and while there are some things you can do to limit your gas usage (like accelerating more slowly or cutting back on air conditioning), the most effective way to slash your gas bill is to take steps to score cheap gas.
Best Ways to Save Money On Gas
- GasBuddy–This app is the best way to find cheap gas near you. It’s a crowdsourced app that allows users to upload the prices they see at pumps, so you can see the latest prices in your area. The app incentivizes users to be active with updating local prices by hosting a weekly drawing for a $100 gift card and giving active users points for each time they post prices.
- Sign up for a grocery store perks program–A lot of grocery stores have their own gas stations and give their shoppers points they can use toward fuel discounts. The Kroger Shopper’s Card is one of our favorites for earning major discounts to score cheap gas.
- Join a gas station rewards program–Many gas stations have their own loyalty rewards programs that can save you 5-10 cents per gallon off their listed prices. Check with your favorite gas station to see if they have a rewards program you can sign up to use
Use The GasBuddy Tool To Find Cheap Gas Stations in Houston
We all love cheap! Search for the cheapest gas in your area by zip code or city.
| Houston Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com |
| Click here to add this map to your website. |
Vehicle Related Tips for Saving Money On Gas – Based on Government Site fueleconomy.gov
- Keep Your Piano and Car Engine Tuned — According to the government site fueleconomy.gov fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve gas mileage by 4% on average, however results vary depending on the type of repair and how effectively it is done. Fixing a major maintenance issue, such as a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, can increase your mileage by up to 40%.
- Keep the tires properly inflated — By keeping your tires filled to the right pressure, you may boost your gas mileage by 0.6 percent on average—and up to 3% in some situations. Under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 0.2 percent for every 1 psi drop in overall tire pressure. Tires that are properly inflated are safer and last longer. 2. Your vehicle’s recommended tire pressure is normally available on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or glove box, as well as in your owner’s handbook. Do not exceed the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire.
- Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil — By using the manufacturer’s suggested grade of motor oil, you can enhance your gas mileage by 1%–2%. Using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine meant for 5W-30, for example, can reduce your gas mileage by 1%–2%. Also, search for an API performance sign that says “Energy Conserving” to ensure that the motor oil contains friction-reducing additives.
Looking to save money on items other than gas? Bookmark our home page of HoustonOnTheCheap to get the latest on deals on entertainment, food & drink and more in the Houston area.
And to have these types of updates delivered directly to your feed, give us a follow on Facebook by clicking the …next to the search lens icon.
