10 Myths about save money on Gas

1. Products claiming to increase gas mileage
The Federal Trade Commission has tested more than 100 devices that claim to save gas -- some up to 25% -- and found not one that significantly improves gas mileage as claimed.

2. Turn off the AC
According to a Consumer Reports test, there is very little difference between driving with your windows down or with the air conditioner on at 65 mph on the highway.

3. Buy gas on Wednesday
The theory is that if you buy gas on Wednesday, prices have come down from the weekend, when many gas stations elevate their prices in hopes of making a bit more profit from more people traveling. While a general rule would be to avoid buying on weekends, there are too many factors that come into play to rely on the Wednesday strategy.

4. Idle away
At one time, this may have been true, but with modern fuel-injection technology, it's no longer the case. Just as there is no longer a need to spend 10 minutes warming up your car on a cold morning, if you are going to be sitting for more than a half minute, you will save more gas by turning the engine off than letting it continue to run.

5. Sticker stats
The rating that automakers provide for gas mileage should be taken with a grain of salt. Beginning with 2008 vehicle models, the Environmental Protection Agency required fuel efficiency standards to be reported based on new test methods that better reflect actual driving conditions. Older models, however, may have derived their ratings via outdated or inaccurate methods.

6. Up your octane
A higher grade of gas is not necessarily better for your car. Some higher-performance car engines need a higher octane level, which refers simply to how much the fuel can be compressed before it ignites. It's a myth that higher-octane fuel burns hotter and cleaner, and it will not improve an ordinary car's gas mileage. Your driver's manual will list the recommended level of octane, which will usually be the lowest.

7. Gas rebate cards save money
This is one of those areas where you need to be very careful. On the face of things, getting a 3% to 5% rebate each time you purchase gas looks like a no-brainer, but this is not always the case. If you don't pay off the card in full each month, any savings on gas will immediately be taken away with interest charges. Some gas cards may come with yearly fees that can negate any savings. There also may be less expensive gas in your area that doesn't allow a credit card to be used. Run the numbers before assuming that a gas credit card will save money.

8. Buy a fuel-efficient car
Many people believe that the best way to save gas is to purchase a fuel efficient car. While this will help, the truth is that the best way to save money on gas is to change your driving habits. Making basic changes to your driving habits will save you a lot more money than changing to a fuel efficient car without changing your habits.

9. Gas up in the morning
This myth is based on the science that gas is denser when it is cool out than in the heat of the day. The logic goes that purchasing gas in the morning, when it is cool, will mean you get more in your tank than if you buy it in the heat of the afternoon, because gas pumps measure volume and not density of the fuel. The problem is that the gas is stored in underground tanks, so the heat of the day has little effect on the gas temperature, meaning you can purchase gas at any time and get virtually the same amount.

But there is one reason you might want to buy gas in the morning. If you believe gas prices are going to be rising, most gas stations don't change their daily price until 8 a.m. or so, meaning you still can get the previous day's price in the early morning.

10. Overinflated tires will save gas
The logic is that if underinflated tires waste gas and properly inflated tires get better mileage because of less tread contact on the road, over inflated tires would have even less tread contact, which would increase mileage. Popular Mechanics tested this theory and found that it didn't provide any added benefit and that it was dangerous.

Originally from thestreet.com
- posted by Doug @ 2:32:00 PM