Hybrid Automobiles and Other Tips to Save on Fuel Expense

It appears that scouting for gas stations that charge less is fast becoming a national preoccupation nowadays.  Web sites like www.fueleconomy.gov and the series of web sites like www.(state).gasprices.com and a whole bunch of other helpful sites must be receiving their share of all-time-high clicks per day with this trend.  Some of the most helpful sites are GAsBuddy.com, GasPriceWatch.com, MSN Autos, MapQuest and others who either get their gas price updates from the Oil Pricing Information Service (OPIS) or from the gas dealers themselves or from volunteer “spotters” who post prices from different gas stations in their respective areas.

 A notch higher on the fuel-saving trend would be the preference towards hybrid automobiles over gasoline-only vehicles.  A combination of driving hybrid automobiles that significantly provide better gas mileage than your previous model all gasoline engine powered vehicles and the new-found vigilance on fuel-saving measures would surely go a long way in saving considerable amount of money.

 Here’s a list of 12 ways on saving on fuel expense:

   1. Check the Internet.  Hybrid automobiles may give you more mileage per gallon but diligence in finding the gas station that offers the lowest deal would further increase savings.

   2. Have gas price updates sent to your cell phone.  Registering in one of the services that updates you with gas prices in your area thru text messages is another way of getting the best deal.

   3. Gas stations on less pricey neighbourhoods are cheaper.  Hybrid automobiles give you more gas mileage in city driving conditions.  You might as well be informed that high property tax and premium real estate make overhead bigger to maintain business in these areas.  Just like your hybrid automobiles, they would cost a little more but you gain in the long run.

   4. Gas stations along freeways are bound to be more expensive—it’s something like you pay for the convenience of their being there when you need them.  Try finding a gas station “in-land” and you’ll find them offering gas at more competitive prices.

   5. Wholesale clubs or warehouse stores offer some of the lowest gas prices in town.  This option is good especially if you don’t mind a long line of cars gassing up.

   6. Wal-Mart and K-Mart type of stores offer bigger discounts on gas.  This is one of their means of attracting traffic to their stores.

   7. Check out price wars among gas stations in a certain neighbourhood.  Some gas stations, especially those “no-name” ones need some advantage over others to be competitive.

   8. Gas rebate cards offer 5% to 10% cash-back benefits.  Rebates don’t seem to be much attractive compared to a discount, however, when you get the benefit, you like the feeling.  Do you know that you could also get tax rebates of  up to $3,100 for purchases of hybrid automobiles?

   9. All-purpose rebate cards saves you not only on gas but groceries and other purchases as well

  10. You save on cash gas purchases.  Gas dealers have to pay some transactions fees for cards swiped and you may end up shouldering them.

  11. Legitimate coupons offer great discounts, just watch out for scams

  12. Drive less.  You don’t burn rubber, you don’t burn gasoline.

 If you are out to buy a car, one of those hybrid automobiles would be a great idea but observing these 12 tips would add considerably to your savings.