The kind of car that you drive can say a lot about you as the owner. For one thing, the model of car that you drive reveals how much money you pay for annual maintenance and fuel costs. A low-value home that needs intensive rehabilitation is called a “money pit” but the same idea can also be applied to automobiles. A car can be called an “auto pit.” The more you drive it, the more you must pay to maintain it, have it checked for repairs, and gas it up. And paying for gasoline will always be an ever-increasing expense the more that you drive your car. So, is there is a trick or a life hack that can help you save money on gasoline? If you refill fuel in the morning, will you save money on gasoline costs?
The short answer is no; you are not going to save money on gas costs if you refill fuel in the morning.
And the longer answer requires a little analysis. The idea that if you refill fuel in the morning you will save money is an urban legend that is easily debunked if you refer to some basic science.
And the average cost of gasoline ranges between $2.42 to $3.41 per gallon, depending on where you live. So, who wouldn’t want to believe in such a legend?
After explaining why you won’t save money if you refill fuel in the morning, I will also explain the typical maintenance costs of car ownership. And I will also explain what you can do to save money on fuel.
Refill Fuel in the Morning (The Savings Hack Legend)
To better understand why you won’t save money if you refill fuel in the morning, we must first consider a little basic science.
All liquids, even gasoline, expand when they are heated and then condense when cooled, like in the cold morning weather.
The idea here is that if you refill fuel in the morning when it is cooler, your car will get more motor energy per gallon. After all, the gasoline in your gas tank may expand in the heat of the afternoon.
The problem with this idea is that when you refill fuel in the morning, you are refueling directly from the underground tanks of a gas pump.
The underground gas tanks at your local gas station keep the gasoline at the same temperature all the time. Unless you live in a sub-Arctic region, your fuel isn’t going to become cooler, and more energy-dense, just because you pump it early in the morning.
And for the sake of argument, let’s assume this idea is true; it will do you little good if you live in the southern United States or anywhere where it’s warm and humid most of the year.
So, the answer is no, you won’t save money if you refill fuel in the morning.
Why would any driver be keen to believe such a theory? It’s because of the cost of auto maintenance.
The High Cost of Owning a Car
Average, everyday drivers may want to try to refill fuel in the morning to save money because the maintenance cost of car ownership is so high.
If you drive your car 15,000 miles annually, then you will spend about $8,500 annually for maintenance costs. That is the equivalent of about $700 a month in maintenance costs just to drive a car.
The average driver might spend $2,000 annually on gasoline. However, this is just a basic estimate.
The amount you might pay in annual or monthly car maintenance depends on the model of your vehicle, the terrain you drive in, and how often you drive.
For example, if you drive an average size Toyota, you may pay only $5,500 annually on maintenance costs.
If you drive a Chrysler or a Dodge, you will pay almost $11,000 on annual maintenance costs.
Do you drive a Cadillac? You are probably paying over $12,500 annually in maintenance costs.
Fancy a BMW? Then you will pay almost $18,000 annually in maintenance costs.
So, now that we have analyzed the problem, how can you save money on gasoline? Because as we can accept now, the “refill fuel in the money” idea just won’t cut it.
How to Save Money on Gas
Here are some ideas on how you can save more money on gasoline.
Inflate Your Tires
Make certain that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. You will lose fuel efficiency, or make your car burn more fuel than needed, even if your tires are slightly deflated.
Get a tire gauge and check your tires’ pressure often for optimal driving inflation. You can also check your tires’ pressure at almost every gas station.
Always Think About Fuel Efficiency
Don’t make your car work harder, and burn more fuel, than it needs to when you’re driving.
Close your car windows when you are driving on the higher. When you drive at high speed with the windows down, you are creating wind drag on the car. You’ll burn more fuel than needed.
Don’t treat your trunk like a storage unit for things that don’t belong in it. The heavier your trunk is, the more gas your car will burn as you drive.
Reassess all of your driving routes with updated maps. There may be quicker routes to your usual destinations you may not know about.
Just cutting a few miles off your usual routes could save you a lot of money in the long-term.
H2 Carpool
Every time you turn on a car, you are burning as much money as fuel. You must put money into a car often if you want to own one.
If you have friends or neighbors you work with, or in workplaces of relative proximity, consider carpooling.
Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Unless you have a large family or own a business where you must haul heavy loads often, you should look into buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
Refill Fuel in the Morning vs. Smarter Driving Habits
Strategically refueling your car during certain times of the day is not going to help you save money.
Reassess your driving habits and always keep your car well-maintained. You will always save money that way instead of believing in superstitious habits.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.