Gas Saving Myths

When you're tight on funds, you try to squeeze as much gas out of your tank as possible. With prices skyrocketing, you're not the only person who is looking for way to pinch pennies when it comes to fuel. You'll have your own methods to save on gas, such as plotting shorter routes for your commute or turning off your AC in the heart of the summer, but some supposed cost-saving methods can actually do more harm than good. Here are a few gas saving myths:

Topping off your tank

When you hear that clicking sound at the pump, you think that you can add few more drops of gas to your tank. But that sound definitely means you should stop and close up your gasket. When you top off your tank, you could actually be sending gas back to the station.

Keeping your tank at half full is the best route to go

You may keep your tank half-full in an effort to keep gas from evaporating, but the technology in cars these days is helping counteract this problem. Tanks are designed to keep as much gas in as possible, so you don't have to worry about fuel vapors escaping.

Thinking tire pressure does not affect how much gas you use

Unless you have a flat or your car is driving sluggishly, you probably ignore your tire pressure. Tires that are even a little bit under-inflated can cause bad handling and damage the suspension of your car, both of which contribute to poor fuel economy. Certain car insurance policies can help fund repairs if your suspension is damaged, but you should get it looked at by a mechanic if the problems persist.

Setting your car to cruise control

This car function can be your best friend when you're on a long road trip, but keeping it on all the time in order to help save gas will not help. Cruise control can give you a steady speed and help save a little gas, but only if you're on a completely flat surface. If you run into hills, you need to accelerate, which will cause you to use more gas.