Filling Your Tank Without Breaking the Bank

3 Tips to Save on Gas

Here’s a fact that’s sad but true – gas prices aren’t going to come down anytime soon. In fact, they only seem to continue to soar. The inflation of gas prices over the past 20 years has caused a hike of over 200%.

But that doesn’t mean you have to empty your bank account to keep your vehicle on the road. To get where you’re going safely without thinning your wallet too fast, here are some tips on how to save money at the fuel pump.

1 – Stop Topping Off Your Tank

You’ve probably heard this before, but let’s be perfectly clear about why you shouldn’t top off the gas tank. It might seem like you’ll get those few extra miles before refilling the tank when, actually, you’re wasting those precious cents, and even pennies add up fast.

The ‘topped off’ gas evaporates as the fuel heats to power the engine. So, rather than hoping for an extra five miles to the next pump at the end of the tank, you’re quite literally pouring your money down the drain.

2 – Check Your Tire Pressure

Low tire pressure can not only lead to a blowout; it can have a negative effect on your gas mileage. In fact, most regular maintenance (such as getting a new air filter and changing your oil) have an effect on how far you go on a gallon.

When tire pressure is low, your fuel mileage suffers because the rubber of the tires has to work harder to grip the road. This requires additional energy for greater torque, which in turn leads to higher fuel consumption to go the same distance.

Research the needs of your tires. Most manufacturers make it easy to find the recommended pressure level for your selected tires. In general, most tires require at least 30 psi, so when in doubt, keep your tires filled to at least this level until you can determine the exact recommendations.

3 – No Need to Ride on Full

Wait…what? No, really – don’t just avoid topping off. Actually avoid filling your tank. Every gallon of gas weighs just over 6 pounds, and this adds up fast, especially when you have a large tank. The weight of a full tank takes a toll on fuel mileage, so try to maintain somewhere between ¼ and ¾ of a tank.

Of course, letting your tank drop too low can not only lead to a fuel clog but also cause the fuel system to work harder for the same effect. Again, that means greater usage to go the same distance. Avoiding low levels of gas, as well as heavy full tanks, can save significant amounts of money over time.

Fuel-Efficient Vehicles by Kia

Of course, starting with a fuel-efficient vehicle can make a major difference. At Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, we have a broad range of new 2022 Kias with incredible fuel efficiency to give you a head start, including:

• Kia Niro – The 2022 Kia Niro is a hybrid model that gets up to 53mpg city (and even 48mpg highway), with a zippy 139 horsepower engine. Best of all, the 2022 Niro is one of the most affordable hybrids on the market, with MSRP starting as low as $24,690.

• Kia Rio – The 2022 Kia Rio is also an affordable option, with great fuel mileage for a non-hybrid and non-electric model. The peppy 120-horsepower engine gets you a phenomenal 33mpg city and 41mpg highway fuel economy, and the price starts at just $16,150, which is hard to beat.

• Kia Seltos – Even the 2022 Kia Seltos has great fuel efficiency while still giving you the option of driving an SUV. With 146 horsepower, the 2022 Seltos keeps you fuel efficient with 35mpg highway and 29mpg city. The price is nice, too, staring at $22,490.

Visit Clay Cooley Kia of Irving for a wide selection of new Kia models that offer excellent fuel efficiency. We also have hundreds of used cars that offer great gas mileage. With a little insight on ways to save at the gas pump, coupled with the right new Kia or one of our preowned vehicles for your needs, you can save hundreds of dollars a year!