4. Become a member Joining a club or organization may be worth it when gas savings come along with membership.
American Automobile Association (AAA): Members who use their Gas Rebate Platinum Plus Visa card get up to a 5 percent gasoline rebate on any pay-at-the-pump purchase. Visit aaa.com.
Big warehouse clubs: Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club often feature some of the lowest gas prices in town. Keep in mind, though, that the cost of membership (typically $35 to $45 a year) will eat into your savings. But if you buy enough gas, it may be worth it.
5. Buy yourself a gas gift Purchase a Wal-Mart gift card and use it instead of cash to pay for gas fill-ups at any Wal-Mart or Sam's Club gas station. You'll automatically save 3 cents per gallon. Think of it as a prepaid gas card with benefits. Visit walmart.com
6. Fill up far from roadways Gas prices tend to be higher the closer you are to interstates and major highways. Avoid the gas stations on the side of the road and near the off-ramp. Drive a few blocks, and the gas costs may drop considerably.
7. Combine errands Several short rides taken individually can use twice as much fuel as a longer, multidestination trip covering the same distance.
8. Earn credit card rewards Rebates and cash-back awards are becoming popular as gas prices rise. Learn about credit cards with gasoline savings at pumpandsave.com.
9. Find cheap gas Visit these Web sites to get up-to-date gas prices in your area and other great fuel-saving tips:
- gasbuddy.com
- gaspricewatch.com
- gasprices.mapquest.com
- fueleconomy.gov
- aaa.com
- automotive.com/gas-prices
10. Beware of scams The Environmental Protection Agency evaluated or tested more than 100 supposed gas-saving devices, from air bleeds to mixture enhancers, and found none that significantly improved gas mileage. In fact, some may actually increase exhaust emissions or cause damage to your car. Be leery of products that say they improve fuel economy or are endorsed by the government--the claims are probably false.
11. Optimize your route At gebweb.net/optimap, input your destination, and the site will map out your quickest route, saving you travel time and fuel.
12. Get a heads-up Meijer tells you when its stores' pump prices are about to go up. Register your cell number at meijer.com to receive a text message. Click on "At Stores," then "Gas Text Alerts."
13. Go against the grain Plan your shopping for when traffic is lightest, such as early in the morning or late at night, to avoid wasting time and gas.
14. Find the right spot Next time you’re in a crowded parking lot, burn less fuel by zipping into the first available spot instead of searching for a better location. Also, try to find a spot in the shade or use a sunshade for your windshield. Leave the windows slightly open so you won’t feel the need to blast the air conditioning when you get back in.
15. Calculate your costs Want to know how much gas you'll use during your next road trip? Check out these Web sites to find out so you can plan your route accordingly:
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