Filling Your Tank without Breaking the Bank
3 Fuel-Saving Tips
As hard as it is to accept, gas prices aren’t going to come down anytime soon. In fact, they only seem to continue to rise on a regular basis. Over the past 20 years, fuel prices have hiked up over 200%.
But don't panic - you don't have to empty your bank account to keep your vehicle on the road. To get where you’re going safely without thinning your wallet too fast, here are some tips on how to save money at the fuel pump.
1 – Tank Top-Off is Wasteful
You’ve probably heard this before, but here's a reminder why you shouldn’t top off the gas tank. Most people do it thinking they'll get those few extra miles before refilling the tank when, actually, it's wasting those precious extra dollars and cents. In today's world, even pennies add up quick.
The extra little bit of gas actually evaporates as the fuel heats. So, rather than giving you an extra five miles to the next pump at the end of the tank, you’re quite literally watching your money evaporate.
2 – Keep the Recommended Tire Pressure
Low tire pressure can lead to a blowout, which is awful. But it can also have a negative effect on your gas mileage, which affects your pocketbook. In fact, most regular maintenance (such as getting tires rotated or wheels aligned and timely oil changes) have an effect on how far a gallon gets you.
When tire pressure is low, your fuel mileage suffers because the your car has to work harder to get the rubber of the tires to grip the road. This additional energy for greater torque in turn leads to higher fuel consumption to go the same distance.
Know what tire pressure level is ideal for your tires. Most manufacturers make it easy to find the recommended pressure level for your selected tires. In general, most tires require at least 30 psi, so when in doubt, keep your tires filled to at least this level until you can determine the exact recommendations.
3 – Put Your Gas Tank on a Diet
Wait…what? No, really – stop filling your tank to the full line. A gallon of gas weighs just over 6 pounds, and this adds up fast, especially when you have a large tank. This means the average car carries at least 60 pounds of gas when the tank is full, and most carry more. The weight of a full tank takes a toll on fuel mileage, so try not to fill it over ¾ of a tank.
Of course, letting your tank drop too low can lead to a fuel clog as well as cause the fuel system to work harder for the same effect. Again, that means greater usage to go the same distance. Try to hit a gas station before you drop below ¼ of a tank. Avoiding low levels of gas, as well as heavy full tanks, can save significant amounts of money over time.
Fuel-Efficient Vehicles by Nissan
Of course, you can make a bigger difference by starting with a fuel-efficient vehicle. At Clay Cooley Nissan in Irving, we have a broad range of fuel efficient new Nissans to give you a head start, including:
Nissan Versa – The 2021 Nissan Versa gets up to 40mpg highway (and even 32mpg city), with a sporty 122 horsepower engine. Best of all, the 2021 Versa is incredibly affordable, with MSRP starting as low as $14,980.
Nissan Sentra – The 2021 Nissan Sentra is also affordable with great fuel mileage. The 149-horsepower engine gets you a radical 29mpg city and 39mpg highway fuel economy, and the price is nice, too, starting at just $19,510.
Nissan Altima – Even the larger 2021 Altima sedan is great on fuel, offering up to 39mpg highway (28mpg city) with a higher 182 horsepower. And while you get a few more amenities and accessories, the price tag starting at $24,550 is still quite affordable.
Visit Clay Cooley Nissan of Irving for a wide selection of new Nissan models that offer excellent fuel efficiency. You can also find hundreds of used cars that offer great gas mileage. With a little insight on how to save on fuel prices, coupled with the right new Nissan or one of our preowned vehicles for your needs, you can save hundreds of dollars a year!