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Driving across town to get gasoline at a cheaper price defeats the purpose of saving money! You can get more gasoline for every dollar.

~ Only buy gasoline in the early morning while the ground is still cold.

As gasoline heats, it expands. Since all gas stations have their tanks underground, the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline is. While oil companies weigh gasoline for specific gravity, gas stations do not. Denser gasoline means that your gallon will actually be a full gallon.

~ Pump at the slowest flow rate.

Slowly pumping gas reduces the amount of fumes produced. EPA mandate requires all gas pumps have a vapor return which stops fumes from escaping. When you pump fast, the vapors (still gasoline) are vacuumed back into the gas station's tank and sold again to someone else. You are charged for what goes out the nozzle without getting credit for the gasoline that returns to the storage tank.

~ Keep your tank full.

Gasoline evaporates. The more air in your tank, the faster the gasoline evaporates and breaks down into poorly burning fuel. Lower temperature burning gasoline reduces fuel economy. By design, your tank backfills with air as you burn gasoline. When your gauge reaches half, get to a pump.

Gasoline storage tanks have a floating ceiling to keep zero atmosphere from touching the gasoline. With minimal exposure, the gasoline neither evaporates or degrades before it is trucked to gas stations. Oil companies take this measure to preserve their gasoline, so should you.

~ If the truck is filling the station's tank, pump somewhere else.

As the truck sprays the gasoline into the tank, it disturbs the debris settled on the bottom of the tank from evaporation degradation and decay of the tank. This dirt, rust and incombustible material reduces fuel economy and can cause serious damage to your fuel pump and fuel injectors.

~ Change that fuel filter.

It is impossible to avoid evaporation degradation. Before you change your oil, clean your fuel with a product approved by your vehicle's manufacturer. When the oil is changed, change the fuel filter. Preserve your fuel economy by removing the most material reducing your gas mileage.

~ Driving courteously.

Quick starts and hard braking burn more gasoline than letting off one pedal and touching your foot to the floor before applying pressure to another pedal. The speed limit, or just a bit below, will produce better gas mileage.

~ Empty your trunk and backseat.

Reduce weight to reduce gasoline consumption.

~ Use cruise control every time possible.

Cruise control saves more than 7% of the gas used driving manually on flat terrain.

~ Use the correct grade of gasoline for your vehicle.

~ Plan excursions to include at least three stops. By combining trips for errands, you will burn less gasoline and time.

Make your gasoline dollar drive you farther. Save enough to drive to your Senator's office to demand equity with oil companies when it comes to preserving your fuel investment.

Learn more about this author, Ann Marie Dwyer.
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