Tell me this … who doesn’t want to save gas? As far as I know, the answer is “no one.”
In high school, I would scrounge around my cup holder and jacket pockets in search of spare bills and coins to buy some gas.The words “fill ‘er up” seldom left my lips, since I usually managed to find just enough for a gallon or two to putz around town.
Things have certainly changed over the years. Now, as a rideshare driver, I fill my tank multiple times a week to keep up with the demands of passengers with places to go. As you undoubtedly know, car payments, insurance, maintenance, and gas are the major costs that make up a driver’s expenses. Depending on your vehicle and how often you drive, these costs can really add up—meaning less money for you at the end of the day.
How can you cut back on gas costs while driving for rideshare?
I’m glad you asked. “Drive less” is the obvious answer, but since that’s not an option, there are some simple tips and tricks to help you cut down on usage and maximize your tank of gas. Read on to learn more.
Let’s take a step back … what do you drive?
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “gas guzzler” to describe a car that gets terrible gas mileage. If that’s what you’re driving, it’s probably the reason you’re burning through so much gas. But before you go out and buy a Toyota Prius (50 MPG fuel economy, in case you’re wondering), here are some things to consider about the vehicle you purchase and how you maintain it.
Focus on fuel economy
Basically, fuel economy is defined as the number of miles you can drive on a single tank of gas—which is why that Prius may be sounding pretty good right now. The higher the miles per gallon (MPG), the lower the number of weekly tank fill-ups, which means more money in your pocket. When comparing vehicles for purchase, fuel economy is the most important factor to consider.
Bigger isn’t always better
Unless you plan on driving for UberXL or Lyft Plus, you don’t necessarily need a big car. That’s good, since larger cars usually come with higher price tags and lower fuel economy. In contrast, a four-seater like a Honda Civic or a Ford Fusion can provide you with enough spacious seating, as well as good fuel economy.
It’s not the age, it’s the maintenance
There is a common perception that that old cars burn more gas, but that isn’t always true. The MPG largely depends on the type of vehicle and how it’s been maintained. So if you’re thinking about buying a car, keep in mind that a used car could save you a lot of money on your monthly expenses.
If you do decide to go the used car route, be sure to talk to the dealership about prior maintenance and learn all you can about how well the car has been maintained. Even one that’s ten to fifteen years old can hold its original fuel economy when properly taken care of.
If you opt to buy a new car, take care to preserve your fuel economy by performing routine maintenance and keeping the car’s fluids topped off.
Go ahead and fill ‘er up
So you have your fuel-efficient vehicle, and now it’s time to hit the road. But first, you need to buy gas. Here are a few things to consider before filling your tank.
Get the right kind of gas
For obvious reasons, I can’t write an article about saving money on gas without mentioning the various fuel types available at the pump. First, be aware of what level of octane your car requires. Most vehicles require 87 to 91 octane, with some luxury vehicles requiring an octane level of 91 to 95, or diesel. The driver’s manual in your vehicle will explain what you need. Unleaded, regular gasoline with an octane level of 87 is typically the cheapest fuel you can buy, and what most drivers today use in their vehicles.
Don’t overfill
We may not cry over spilled milk, but we can cry over spilled gas when it costs more than $3 a gallon. Most cars will automatically stop the pump once the tank is about full, and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve squeezed the lever once or twice more to get every last drop. What we don’t realize is that topping off can cause liquid gas to enter the charcoal canister, which in turn affects your car’s performance and causes it to run less efficiently. This can ultimately result in damage to your car’s engine. So try to resist topping off the tank.
Consolidate and conserve!
Running out to get gas before your workday can be a pain, but running out of gas (especially while driving) is worse. Consolidate trips and stop while you’re already on the road to keep from burning more gas. Pro tip: If you fill up during the cooler hours of the day, there will be less evaporation loss. It may seem a bit ridiculous, but in the long run it can add up. #science
Check your tires
Another way to make sure you’re getting the most out of your tank of gas is by making sure your tires are properly inflated. In fact, studies have revealed that you can save 0.6 percent of each tank of gas by driving with tires that are inflated to the proper pressure.
While you’re driving
Now that we’ve covered the things to consider while buying a car, as well as what to know and remember about gas, what comes next? The actual driving! Here are some suggestions to consider.
Avoid idling
As drivers, we often find ourselves sitting in our cars with the radio and AC on, awaiting the next ride. Depending on how quickly this happens, we sometimes end up sitting for up to an hour—burning fuel and not making any money. During slow parts of the day, wait for rides with your vehicle off and the windows down. If the weather is bad, you could wait in a coffee shop instead.
Avoid quick starts and sudden stops
We’ve all been there. We’re sitting at a red light, with a merging lane ahead, fervently waiting for the light to change so we can beat the car next to us as though we’re racing in the Daytona 500. As satisfying as this may be, it takes a toll on gas mileage—especially if you don’t end up beating that other car and end up having to slam on your brakes.
Drive at moderate speeds
Just like sudden starts and stops can burn fuel faster, so can driving at high speeds. Avoid pushing your engine to its limit and burning an excessive amount of gas (and possibly getting a ticket) by staying within the speed limit.
Avoid traffic when possible
Although this is much easier said than done, sitting in traffic is basically sitting idle for extended periods of time with quick starts and stops every couple of minutes. If possible, seek alternate routes and avoid heavy traffic.
Learn the art of cruising
One of the first lessons I learned about driving is that I didn’t always need to have my foot on the gas pedal. By taking your foot off the gas and just cruising when going downhill or at an appropriate speed, you’ll save fuel and avoid sudden starts and stops.
Other ways to save
Fuel rewards programs
A variety of credit cards offer gas benefits that can save you quite a bit of money when filling up. Depending on the type of reward, you can earn anything from points toward discounted gas to gift cards.
If a credit card doesn’t seem like the right fit, some grocery store chains offer gas rewards for shopping at their store, which can add up to some pretty great discounts on fuel purchases.
GasBuddy
The GasBuddy app will show you where the lowest gas prices in the city are. While it doesn’t make sense to drive miles and miles to fill up just to save a couple cents, it is good to keep in mind in case you’re driving in the area. GasBuddy is available on iOS and Android.
Rideshare fuel rewards
We’ve talked about the benefits of Uber Rewards, and that includes a specific Visa card that gives you up to 3 percent cash back depending on your level within the program. Lyft also offers a rewards program called Accelerate, with silver, gold, and platinum tiers that allow participants to earn up to $0.07 off per gallon at participating Shell gas stations.
The bottom line
Apart from a car payment, gas is the top rideshare expense that reduces your hard earned profits. By being conscious of the little things we do to waste gas and trying to minimize them, you can maximize your profits and hopefully make less stops at the gas station.
