Gas Saving Car Care Tips

We all know that having a regularly serviced and tuned car leads to savings on gas with enhanced fuel economy but what many fail to realize is they can help save on gas and money by performing a few, simple and easy car care steps themselves.

Tighten Up the Gas Cap

Every time we fill up at the pump we slap the gas cap back on and give it a turn usually until we hear the "click" and then forget about it. Make sure you have the cap on firmly and tightly so it as airtight as you can make it without threading the plastic cap itself. The reason is simple, gas evaporates quickly, and even a slight failure to provide an airtight seal with your gas cap will result in wasted gas and wasted money. Screw the cap on firmly and tightly and check it every day.

Don't Top Off the Tank

Many people do this when they are at the gas pump – the nozzle clicks off but they insist on putting in the last few drops of gas to get the tank literally full to the brim. This is a complete waste of gas as most of it will slop over the side, running down the paintwork (helping cause discoloration and damage). It can also get all over your hands which is dangerous and no good for them. When the gas pump nozzle clicks off, you are safely full – put the gas nozzle back in its holder and do not top off your tank.

Use Lower Octane Fuel

Every gas station has higher octane fuels offering better engine and car performance or less wear and tear on the engine. This is a myth – ignore these claims and fill up with the cheaper lower octane fuels; unless you have a very high performance vehicle you will never experience any material difference in performance or engine wear. For the average motorist, purchasing high octane fuel is a waste of money.

Park in the Shade

Many drivers do this automatically because do not want to sit on hot leather and do not like coming back to a vehicle that feels like a sauna. However, there is another good reason for making sure you park your vehicle in a shaded area. The hotter the car is the faster the gas in your fuel tank will evaporate! Always park in shade; this will keep the vehicle cooler which will lead to more comfort for you and your passengers as well as less strain on your wallet. If you don't have shady areas or can't find one, you can always use a car cover with a high UV resistance. DuPont Tyvek ® Sunproof Car Cover for example is the best sun-proof cover we offer. Made of high-quality DuPont Tyvek™, the Premier can keep your vehicle up to 30 degrees cooler in the hot sun. The Max Car Cover also has very good UV protection and will protect against harsh weather.

Use Your Garage

Parking the car in the garage helps keep the vehicle cool in summer and warm in winter. This helps reduce your use of the gas-chugging air conditioner or defroster and results in less gas consumption as well as enhanced security for your vehicle. Not to mention, parking your car in a garage provides protection against dings and dents caused by the neighborhood kids playing ball nearby. If you are concerned about dust accumulating on your vehicle, we recommend a car cover with good dust protection, like The Deluxe or the Max. As you can see, these gas saving tips are all very simple and easy to accomplish and the savings will be immediate.