Savvy Consumer: How to Ease Pain at the Pump

March 30, 2007 — -- If the weather makes you want to go for a nice spring drive, but pricey gasoline makes you want to stay home, there are some modest adjustments you can make to save money. After all, we are a car culture.

The amount we spend on gasoline over our lifetimes is ludicrous. And we don't have to burn so much or spend so much.

AAA says only 5 percent of the cars sold in the United States require premium gasoline. But premium accounts for 20 percent of all gasoline sold. What a waste. Say you use 20 gallons of gas per week. Regular costs an average of 20 cents less per gallon, so you'll save $4 per week -- $208 per year!

Using a higher-octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit at all. But people remain convinced that premium gas will make their cars go faster or get better mileage. It's just not true. All the term "octane" refers to is a fuel's ability to help your car resist engine "knock." This knocking, rattling or pinging sound comes from premature ignition of fuel in your engine.

Your car is built to run on whatever grade of gasoline is recommended in your owner's manual. If the manual says premium is "required," use it. If it says premium is just "recommended," ask your mechanic if you can experiment with regular or mid-grade.

But the vast majority of cars are designed to run on regular octane. The only reason you would need to switch to a higher octane is in the rare instance that your engine might be knocking when you use the recommended fuel. Light knocking is not harmful to your car, but heavy, persistent knocking can cause engine damage.

Most gas stations offer regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). These levels vary from state to state. For example, one state may require all premium gasoline to have an octane of 92 or above while another state may allow 90 octane to be labeled premium.

When you read your owner's manual, be sure to note the precise octane level your car requires. Then look for that level rather than relying on a generic term like "regular" or "premium."

There are other ways to save money on gas too.

Here's a novel idea: Try driving the speed limit. AAA says driving 65 miles per hour instead of 55 increases your fuel consumption by 20 percent. Going 75 mph instead of 65 increases consumption by another 25 percent.

Erratic acceleration and braking burn up fuel too -- up to 50 cents a gallon.

Keeping your car tuned up is another way to economize. And properly inflated tires save you money too. They cause less road-resistance.

You can also take heavy items out of your trunk to lighten the load.

The website Edmunds.com recently tested these techniques and found they don't save as much fuel as previously thought, but they do save some and all are good habits to get into anyway.

Some gas stations offer discounts if you pay with their credit card. Shell offers 5 percent off. Exxon and Amoco each offer a 3 percent discount.

If you're taking a trip, keep in mind that some hotels and theme parks provide gas vouchers to encourage people to visit. You can inquire when you check in or go to the Web site. Often they won't offer, so you have to ask.

Finally, the day of the week could determine whether it's your lucky day. Somebody with nothing better to do charted gas prices. They discovered prices at the pump tend to creep higher toward the end of the week when more people are travelling. Prices start coming down on Sunday and the best day to buy is typically Wednesday.

Now a caution: When gas prices go up, so does hype about "gas-saving" products. The Federal Trade Commission warns that few if any devices, oils or additives actually improve gas mileage. The ones that do work provide very small savings.

The manufacturers claim these products will save you 12 to 25 percent. But the Environmental Protection Agency conducted several tests and found the claims are false. In fact, some of these products can even damage your engine.