Cut your cost at the pumpSome simple saving tips can add up - especially as gas prices keep moving higher.NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Every time the price of gas goes up 10 cents at the fuel pump, the average driver's gas bill will increase by about $60 to $100 a year, according to Edmunds.com. Here's how to keep the pennies in your pocket as you pull into the gas station. 1: Time your visits Want cheaper gas? Try to get to the station before noon. Gas retailers at large corporate stores sets their prices at about 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. when the first management shift begins, according to Brad Proctor, the founder of gaspricewatch.com. According to Proctor, gas prices were raised before noon about 93 percent of the time. You have about an hour or two until all the smaller gas stations begin to follow suit and raise their prices. You will also want to buy your gas when it's cooler outside because it will have more density. If you buy gas in the heat of the day, you could be losing as much as 1 percent of the gas you pump into your car. 2: Turn the nozzle When you have finished filling up your gas tank try turning the nozzle of the hose 180 degrees. Lift the hose and tilt the nozzle, recommends Phil Reed of Edmunds.com. This will drain a bit more gas into your tank; in some cases up to an entire half cup that would otherwise be a bonus to the next gas customer. That extra few drops of gas may really add up at the end of the year. A word of caution though - don't overfill your tank. 3: Tighten the gas cap If you have an older car, tightening the gas cap on your car will prevent gas from evaporating and escaping into the air. If you have a gas cap that doesn't fit tightly, or you've lost your gas cap, buy a new one to replace it. 4: Use a gas rebate card If you have a credit score over 700 and you fill up your tank at least twice a month, gas rebate cards are a true value. You may be able to get a rebate of 2-5 percent on your purchase. These days if you have a gas rebate card, you may save $.16 cents a gallon. If you fill up three times a month, you would save about $100 bucks a year. Make sure you check for expiration dates to make sure you redeem the rebate you earn before they expire. Expiration dates can from 6 months to three years. To check out what gas rebate cards are out there, go to cardratings.com. How to beat the high cost of gasoline Think before you lease Gerri's Mailbox: Got questions about your money? We want to hear them! Send e-mails to toptips@cnn.com or click here - each week, we'll answer questions on CNN, Headline News and CNNMoney.com. |
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