Fredericksburg Leader

9 GAS MYTHS – DEBUNKED

You’ve asked the questions. Does buying gas in the morning when it’s cooler actually save you money? Is premium gas better for your car? Is off-brand gas lesser quality than brand-name? 

So many rumors are circulated when it comes to gas, but we’re here to set the record straight. We’ve debunked 9 of the most common gas myths – how many did you know? 

1) BUYING GAS IN THE EARLY MORNING WILL SAVE YOU MONEY 

Gas stations often store gasoline underground, where it’s already cooler than the temperature outside. This means that the temperature of gasoline stays relatively the same no matter what time of day, and you shouldn’t sweat it if you can’t make it to the pump until the afternoon.

2) PREMIUM GAS IS BEST FOR ANY CAR  

Unless it is stated in your vehicle’s owner’s manual that your car requires Premium gas, you’re wasting your money buying the more expensive fuel. Most vehicles run well on regular, unleaded gasoline, and paying the extra bucks won’t optimize your car’s performance.  

3) OFF-BRAND GAS IS BAD FOR YOUR CAR 

Unlike your favorite clothes or groceries, off-brand gasoline isn’t lesser quality than name-brand. Unbranded gasoline won’t damage your vehicle – so go ahead and buy cheaper if it’s available! 

4) TIRE PRESSURE DOESN’T REALLY MATTER 

Tire light been on for weeks? You might want to fill them up – both for your car’s health and to boost your fuel efficiency. Driving on flat tires can both damage them and increase the amount of fuel required to get your car up to speed.  

5) TAILGATING INCREASES FUEL EFFICIENCY 

Many drivers think drafting large trucks on the highway will save them money, reducing wind resistance and increasing fuel efficiency. Tailgating can actually cause drivers to brake more often and more suddenly, which can lead to an overall increase in gas consumption. If you’re trying to increase fuel efficiency on the highway, lower your speed to about 50mph and avoid aggressive driving habits like speeding, hard braking and fast acceleration that can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%.  

6) DRIVING ON EMPTY GETS YOU THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK  

Trying to get the last drop out of your tank? It might not be the money-saving hack you think it is. When you drive on empty, you drastically limit your choices when it comes to filling up, meaning the first station you see is the one you’ll have to stop at – but not necessarily the cheapest.  

7) YOU SHOULD “TOP-OFF” YOUR GAS TANK AFTER THE PUMP SHUTS OFF 

If you’re trying to squeeze in as much gas as possible into your vehicle – you might want to think again. Pumping additional gas when the fuel pump clicks off can damage your car, and may cause gasoline to spill, which is potentially dangerous to you and those around you.  

8) THE DAY OF THE WEEK YOU BUY GAS DOESN’T MATTER 

Did you know that certain days of the week are actually cheaper to fill up? According to a 2022 GasBuddy study, Monday is the cheapest day of the week to buy gas in the U.S. To pay the least amount for gas, avoid filling up on Wednesdays and Thursdays if possible.  

9) YOU HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE FOR GAS 

We’ve all seen the big numbers on the sign outside the gas station, but did you know you don’t have to pay that price? The Pay with GasBuddy card automatically takes 5 cents per gallon off the price on the sign, and Deal Alerts can save you up to 25 cents.   

Original source can be found here