Money Saving Tips for the Car

With the gas prices going up, everyone is looking for ways to save money at the pump.  Since there haven't been too many new deals popping up today, I decided to take some time and research this important topic.  Below I have posted some of the best deals and/or tips that I found.


I am not a car expert, but I have found these tips from multiple sources.

•  Check the gas prices online to find the best deal near you.  I like GasBuddy to find the best price, but I also recommend determining if driving a few miles out of the way is worth the money.  I found a great fuel calculator that allows you to enter in the data regarding the station prices and distance.  
• See if any of your memberships offer gas discounts
• Many BJs and Sam's Clubs have their own gas stations with discounts for members
• Some grocery stores offer incentives such as $0.10 off per gallon for every $100 you spend
• Try to buy your gas during the week if you can.  I've noticed that prices seem to go up on Thursdays and down on Tuesdays.  If a holiday is coming up, expect higher prices.
• Don't grip the pump as tight as possible.  While it might take a few extra seconds to fill up your tank, you will actually get more gas for your money.  When the gas flows faster, some of it will go back into the back flow system.  You are still paying for the gas even if it never reaches your car.
• Never fill up at a station when the gas truck is there.  When they are refilling the underground tanks at station, all the dirt and grim at the bottom of the tanks is mixing around as the fuel goes from the truck to the tank.  This junk will find its way to your tank.  You will be paying for junk instead of gas and it can clog your injectors which will cause you to lose gas mileage.
• Make sure your tires are correctly inflated.  Too much or too little air will affect your gas mileage.

Besides tips to help with your gas mileage, there are other ways to save money with your car maintenance.  Regular oil changes and clean air filters are simple ways to keep your car running smoothly and prevent expensive damages to the engine.  If you are like me and don't know how to change your own oil, you can find great deals on oil changes in different places.

• Check the website of national chain stores for coupons
• Check the website of your local dealers
• I once got a $20 iTunes gift card for getting my oil changed at Ford, but I needed a coupon from their website
• Look in the Sunday paper
• Check your mail
• Valpaks and clipper magazines will sometimes have coupons
• Stores and dealers might send you post cards with specials
• Look on the back of reciepts
• I have found coupons for oil changes as low as $14.99 with a free tire rotation from my grocery store
• Call the 800 number when you have a service done
• Some auto chains offer discounts on your next service if you take a quick phone survey

Sign-Up for STP's Mailing List - When you sign up, you will get an email with a link to a coupon worth $2 off any STP product.  A few of their fuel additives which clean your injectors are under $2 at Walmart so you will end up getting them for free.

I have also gotten Prestone products for free in the past through rebates.  Next time they offer a rebate, I will be sure to post it. 

I've used different additives from the different brands before and saw a difference of about 3-5 miles per gallon which lasted about three tanks worth, for me at least.  I'm not sure if that's a big enough difference to spend the money on the additive vs just filling your tank.  However if it's free, then in my opinion it's worth it.