Driving smart: 10 proper ways to fill up your car

Updated Jan 28, 2019 | Same topic: Let's Drive Smart!

Looking for ways to fill up the gas tank? Here are useful tips and hacks that will help Filippino's drivers to save up money at the pumps!

Is the price of gasoline or diesel just simply choking your wallet for every fill up at the pump! Fuel isn’t getting any cheaper; despite the shift to hybrids but for those who cannot buy one. This would do until the internal combustion engine is replaced is replaced!

Believe it or not, there are ways to save on gas without any fancy upgrades or gadgets. For those looking for the best option to do it; Philkotse.com has prepared useful tips for Pinoys drivers to properly fill up your car 

1. Filling up your car when it is cold

Why should filling up be done in the evening or early morning? The answer is that when it gets hot, there are more fumes when filling up at the pump. Cold weather is the opposite; because the gas is more liquid. Simply put; the gas pump will fill gas which is the equivalent of the cost per liter, not according to the weight of the gasoline.

2. Never fill up your car when the tanker has just resupplied any gas station

Here’s the scenario; you’re just filled up at the pump, and the tanker just came by. Right now; inside your gas tank is fuel and mixed with all impurities from the last time, the gas station was resupplied! Generally; when tankers load the fuel on the station depot; it stirs up the bottom and mixes with the newly added fuel! It does take time for all the impurities to settle to the bottom.

How to safely fill a tank with petrol

3. Gas up with premium gas every third tankful!

If your car is an expensive Euro-brand; then getting in premium into the tank is important to do or face problems later. But, what if it is a regular car, not an expensive premium auto? Frankly, it does help the car because cheap fuel does not have extras that will help the engine burn fuel better. More expensive fuel options may have additives included to help keep the engine cleaner. Cheap fuel is fine but does fill up at a premium station on every third fill up.

Fill up your car_premium gas

Fill up at a premium station for your expensive Euro-brand car

4. Fill up slowly; don’t pump in gas as fast as it could get filled up!

Fast filling up your tank is not optimum for several reasons that should be made obvious. Filling up slowly should prevent vapors escaping which is gasified fuel, that happens when filling up fast. Have the attendant do it slower when at the pump, to prevent fuel wasted as escaped vapor in order to reduce your fuel total cost. Most stations go automatically, but this is more expensive and every drop is not maximized and some are lost. Remember to fill up slowly, not fast or spend more too.

5. Make sure the fuel cap is closed tight and secure

The use of the fuel cap is too keep the tank tightly shut! But, sometimes if we don’t check the cap is not tight; and we wonder why mileage is going low? Keeping the fuel cap tightly sealed and closed will not let fuel vapors escape, and let it become liquid when it’s cold. It’s a simple and easy solution that most drivers overlook.

Fill up your car_fuel cap

Make sure to keep the fuel cap tightly sealed and closed

6. Never fill up to the top when at the gas pump

When filling up; is topping up the tank done often? If that’s so; then it will be surprised to find out that most fuel pump nozzles will return excess fuel. The remainder will be returned to the pump, and if topping up is habit then it will be on the tab for fuel returned.

7. Add fuel injection cleaner to the tank when filling up

It might be wise to buy additives that clean the fuel injection mechanism, for better performance. These additives don’t cost much and adding it to cheap fuel will be better too. Cleaning these engine parts will help fuel consumption and efficiency a lot! So, give it a shot and see the difference for fuel savings.

Fill up your car_fuel injection cleaner

There are many kinds of liquid used for cleaning the fuel injection mechanism available in the market

>>> See also: 2 ways on how to flush a fuel injector safely and effectively

8. Get privilege cards from gas stations for extras when filling up

Many stations offer up cards that feature tie-ins that give extras and freebies, also fuel rebates that save on filling up costs too! These cards have more features that depend on the tie-in, so it’s really smart to have one of those ready when filling up, or at any accredited partner of the privilege gas station card.

Fill up up your car_privilege cards

Having member cards to enjoy special promo at many gas stations

9. Fueling up in small amounts will stir up impurities in the gas tank

Partial fill-ups are common, but this will be a problem because impurities and sediment will be stirred up and be sucked into the fuel line. By the way; when the pump works harder to suck up fuel that will shorten its operational life. Saving with partial fill-ups will be a cause of problems later. Be smart and avoid it!

>>> Check out more tips on improving your gas mileage

10. Fill up at any station with cheap and affordable fuel

One of the best ways to save on the liter is to fill up at cheap gas stations! These stations offer less for the liter and more gas too. Always fill up at these places for extra savings.

All these are practical and easy to do, no need to be a rocket scientist to get it done right. With all the 10 proper ways to fill up your car, everyone is a winner!

>>> Click for more useful tips and advice on fuel saving

Norjan Ismail Abbas

Norjan Ismail Abbas

Author

Norjan enjoys writing about various topics, and car is among them. Don't ever ask him which his most favorite car is since he has none. He believes each car is beautiful in its own way.

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